Little Cabers?

[vipermcgee]

I have been charged with creating/organizing a game for a Cub Scout event, and am thinking abut a modified caber toss. Have any of you ever organized such for a group of 6-10 year-olds and how did you do it? Also, do any of you have any recommendations for our caber-you know, age-appropriate dimensions and weight? Based on my own son's ability, I'm thinking about 15-20 pounds (6.8 to 9 Kilos for you metric guys-I have to use both at work!), but I have no idea what length or diameter to shoot for or what kind of wood to use. I doubt any of these kids have seen a caber toss, so I can be pretty liberal here.

[Galician]

At several of the Games I've attended, PVC tubes were used for children to experience the caber. Off hand, I'd say that they seemed to be about 6 ft. That might have been for smaller kids, though.

[HeathBar]

I was going to suggest the PVC as well. I've also seen the large cardboard tubes used to roll carpet and vinyl. I would say between 6'-8'.

[Chas]

I would advise the use of broomsticks. Caber tossing is half power and half technique. If the 6 - 10 year olds can't manage a broomstick, they won't be able to manage anything larger. They will all be able to get hold of a broomstick and practise at home, which will give them all a chance of winning.
Once that is mastered, move on to scaffold poles. There are special ends that can be got to protect people from coming into contact with any sharp edges. They can also be weighted, before the ends are sealed. If they have mastered the technique properly, they should come to no harm.

Regards

Chas

[george7]

Get 'em interested while they're young.

[skauwt]

a small 4 inch (100mm) round fence post from any diy store or sawmill should work for you and you could have a few at various lengths and weights for kids at different sizes ,

you may have to sand and tape up the end to avoid splinters but would look authentic enough for the kids and shouldn't be too heavy

[ForresterModern]

Wooden dowels come in various diameters and can be cut to various lengths, and could be stained to have the appearence of real log cabers, giving the tikes a bit more realistic feel to the whole event. They should be readily available at any hardware or lumber store. You could also cut various lengths of unfinished wooden stair railing using the same principle.

Were I one of the scouts I think PVC or cardboard would just not be realistic enough to keep my interest.

One man's o.


jeff :ootd:

[dfmacliam]

Make it easy enough for them to handle and teach technique over strength.. Give the little ones an equal chance.. As they master the technique.... then add the weight and height....

[vipermcgee]

Technique? Who'd have ever dreamed of that?

Seriously, I've never actually participated in the event, or witnessed it first hand even, but I am willing to learn if it will give me someting for these boys to do. I have seen several videos though, and it looks loke something I can learn. I hope to get to attend some games before I am due with this one in the spring so maybe I can get some first-hand help with this game.

I have dreamed up some other events for this day, such as the "Claw-hammer throw", and the "Rubber Rock Put", but I want to keep the caber toss somewhat realistic. I'm going for a Highland themed day for the boys, complete with mock kilts for the toss!

[Bruno]

Get down to a carpet shop and get a cardboard roll what they deliver the carpets on (they are usually delighted that they can get rid of the waste material). Cut it into right lengths for the age. You can pack them with a bag of sand to the desires weight and parcel tape up the ends.