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Niagara Council Snow Derby in the news

February 23 2023

Counselor Aid Booklets 2023

The Calvinist Cadet Corps works to support and encourage all of our counselors. We offer lots of materials to help counselors be as effective as possible in helping boys grow more Christlike in all areas of life. Some particularly helpful (but sometimes overlooked) resources for counselors include our series of Counselor Aid Booklets (CABs).

Counselor Aid Booklets are designed to help counselors with different aspects of the Cadet ministry. Some are geared toward helping counselors put on a successful event (Cadet Week, Cadet-O-Rama, Model Car Derby, Snow Derby, Water Carnival), while others deal with badge-related skills (Bicycle Touring, Braiding, Flintknapping, Knife Building, Knots and Lashing, Metalworking), and some cover other relevant topics (Child Abuse, Club Promotion, Discovering God in Nature, Father Involvement in Cadeting). Below is a more detailed overview of each.

Cadet Week (2019)

The Cadet Week CAB is designed to help clubs have a successful Cadet Week and Cadet Sunday. It contains information on planning and promoting related events, as well as ideas for activities for Cadet Week and Cadet Sunday. Sample invitations, ideas for place cards and table decorations, as well as a planning chart are included.

Cadet-O-Rama (2020)

Facilitate what can be a complex event more easily with this CAB. From the basic idea of what a Cadet-O-Rama is, to recommendations for putting together a Cadet-O-Rama committee, to possible award categories and judging rules, this CAB is a big help. This CAB also includes a Cadet-O-Rama Plan, Cadet-O-Rama Summary, and a sample registration form.

Model Car Derby (2020)

This CAB includes ideas for promoting a Model Car Derby (before and after the event), along with information on effective car construction and racing procedures. Also included is a racing bracket template and instructions for making a model car derby track.

Snow Derby (2020)

The Snow Derby CAB will give you lots of ideas for a successful event in the snow. This CAB includes tips for success, recommendations for staffing, suggested layouts and maps, a helpful team equipment list, and judging guidelines. Also included are sample judge’s scorecard and registration form, along with plans for a snow derby sled.

Water Carnival (2020)

Put together a great time in the water with this CAB that is packed with ideas for games you can play and races you can run. The Water Carnival CAB contains instructions for a dozen games and races, along with tips on keeping score if you want to make your water carnival competitive.

Bicycle Touring (2021)

This CAB serves as a guide for putting together an entire bike tour of a region, from planning logistics and concerns to training and touring. This CAB also includes information on why bicycle touring can be valuable physically, aesthetically, and spiritually.

Braiding (2020)

The Braiding CAB will get you started with learning braiding terms and general instructions. From there, it shows you how to make some common braids (four-strand round, four-strand square, four-strand spiral, six-strand round, and eight-plait spiral), and ends with projects you can make with your braiding skills (lanyard, metal blank bracelet, eight-strand belt, two kinds of wristbands, and a dog leash). If you like paracord, you will really like this CAB.

Flintknapping (2020)

Take a deep dive into a skill that’s fun to practice. This CAB introduces the tools and types of rocks involved in flintknapping and covers safety equipment, terminology, methods of working the rock, and suggested projects.

Knife Building (2018)

This CAB begins with a history of knives, types of knives (and their uses), parts of knives, and getting to know metals. With those basics covered, the CAB goes step-by-step through the process of designing, rough cutting, grinding, heat treating, and making a handle for a complete knife. Also included is “Knife Building in the Real World” – an article that follows a club through their knife-making project.

Knots and Lashing (2020)

The Knots and Lashing CAB takes a good look at lots of knots and several lashing techniques. After learning rope care and rope terminology, this CAB will show you how to tie knots like the square knot, sheepshank, sheet bend, clove hitch, bowline, and more. Learn some different kinds of lashes, including square, continuous, diagonal, and sheer. Illustrations and ideas for lashed-together camp furniture are included.

Metalworking (2020)

If you need ideas for metalworking projects, this CAB has lots of them. Nearly a dozen how-to projects are included that cover a variety of metalworking skills and tools. This CAB also includes several welding ideas.

Child Abuse (2022)

This CAB extensively covers an uncomfortable but necessary topic. The purpose of this CAB is to reduce the risk to kids, reduce the liability of the church, avoid unwholesome or unsafe situations, deal appropriately with abuse situations that do occur, and encourage policies that will protect leaders as well as children. Several examples of policies and related documents are included.

Club Promotion (2019)

If you’re trying to grow or strengthen your Cadet club, consider taking a look at this CAB for ideas. It covers target audiences and how to reach them in your club, your church, and your community. It also includes an example Cadet bulletin board layout, in-depth instructions on running an advertisement on Facebook, and sample letters to church leaders and parents.

Discovering God in Nature (2020)

This CAB begins by developing a Christian perspective toward nature (complete with numerous Bible references) and continues with loads of nature projects (organized by month). There are also lots of ideas for experiments in nature, and several charts that will help you and your Cadets explore God’s creation.

Father Involvement in Cadeting (2020)

This CAB explores the relationships of fathers and sons, particularly as they relate to Cadets. It contains lots of ideas on getting father figures involved with Cadets and includes ideas for appropriate skits and games for father/son events.

You may have seen some of these Counselor Aid Booklets before, but please note that nearly every CAB has been updated in the last few years. If you don’t have the latest version, you could be missing out. Consider purchasing a few CABs (or the whole set) for your counselors and club.

Each Counselor Assistance Booklet is available individually:

Buy CABs in U.S.

Buy CABs in Canada

Or save a little time and money and just buy the complete set:

Buy CAB set in U.S.

Buy CAB set in Canada

Do you have comments or questions about the Counselor Aid Booklets? Let us know at info@calvinistcadets.org.

February 24 2022

Counselor Aid Booklets

The Calvinist Cadet Corps strives to support and encourage all of our counselors. We offer lots of materials to help counselors be as effective as possible in helping boys grow more Christlike in all areas of life. Some particularly helpful (but often overlooked) resources for counselors include our series of Counselor Aid Booklets (CABs).

Counselor Aid Booklets are designed to help counselors with different aspects of the Cadet ministry. Some are geared toward helping counselors put on a successful event (Cadet Week, Cadet-O-Rama, Model Car Derby, Snow Derby, Water Carnival), others deal with badge-related skills (Bicycle Touring, Braiding, Flintknapping, Knife Building, Knots and Lashing, Metalworking), and some cover other relevant topics (Child Abuse, Club Promotion, Discovering God in Nature, Father Involvement in Cadeting). Here is a more detailed overview of each.

Each Counselor Assistance Booklet is available individually:

Buy CABs in U.S.

Buy CABs in Canada

Or save a little time and money and just buy the complete set:

Buy CAB set in U.S.

Buy CAB set in Canada

Do you have comments or questions about the Counselor Aid Booklets? Let us know at info@calvinistcadets.org.

April 22 2021

2021 Summer Meeting Ideas

Russ Roozeboom Featured, Merchandise

It’s been a different sort of Cadet season. Chances are good that your meetings have looked a little different from your “business as usual” model. Now that the weather is getting milder in many places, it might be time to consider options for Cadet meetings and activities this summer. We encourage you to follow your local guidelines with regards to social distancing and masking, but we also encourage you to find ways to connect with your Cadets and club this summer.

Here are just a few ideas:

Summer Campout

This classic Cadet activity can be combined with a little (or a lot) of badgework (Camping, Axemanship, Camp Cooking, Fire Building, First Aid, Knots & Lashing, Map Reading) and other outdoor activities (Hiking, Canoeing, Geocaching, etc.).

Service Projects (Church and Community)

Find service projects that your cadets can work on this summer. Maybe you’ve seen a need in your church family or church neighborhood. Check with your deacons to find out about doing chores for shut-ins, community gardening, or other ways your club can help your church and community.

Cadet Cookout (Fundraiser?)

Summertime is a great time to have a cookout with your cadets, whether or not you incorporate badgework (Camp Cooking, Dutch Oven Cooking, etc.) or not. A cookout can even be scaled up into a fundraising event.

Chuck Wagon Derby

Maybe you didn’t get the chance to do a snow derby this season. Adapt Snow Derby activities to use a “chuck wagon” rather than a toboggan, and you can have a derby during the summer.

Model Car Derby

Another derby you may have missed this season is your model car derby. Gravity works outside, too, so think about having an outdoor derby this summer.

Rocket Launch Party

This can be part of the Model Rocketry merit badge, but it doesn’t have to be. Be sure to have plenty of rockets and engines on hand, and get new batteries for your launcher.

Fishing (Tournament?)

Take your club or cadre fishing – incorporating the Fishing badge is up to you. You can make it into a tournament, with prizes for the largest or most fish caught. If you’re in the West Michigan area, consider being a part of our Annual Cadet Fishing Tournament on June 5!

Gun Range/Sporting Clays

For the right cadre, a trip to the gun range or a round on a sporting clay course can be a great time. The Marksmanship or Clay Target Shooting badges are easily incorporated, too. Are you in the West Michigan area? Join us for our Annual Cadet Sporting Clay Shoot on August 21!

Canoeing/Geocaching/Archery/Etc.

ANY great summertime activity that gets your Cadets outdoors and active could be an option for your club this summer. There are plenty of badges that focus on all sorts of outdoor interests. As always, the important thing is cultivating relationships with the boys to help them grow more Christlike in all areas of life.

Do you have questions or comments? Other ideas for summertime Cadet fun? How can we help your club? Please let us know at info@calvinistcadets.org.

Featured image from photo by Counselor Dick R., Pease, MN.

August 13 2020

New Products for 2020

While it hasn’t exactly been business as usual at the Cadet Office, we’ve stayed busy updating plenty of materials and adding lots of new products and merchandise. Here are a few examples.

Program Materials and Badges

Cadets@Home Books and Kits
Our latest products are our Cadets@Home Books and Kits. These resources enable cadets to work on badges, Bible lessons, and crafts at home. Buy a kit and get a “Dive Into the Word” bag with an @Home badge book (with badgework for 3-5 badges), theme Bible lessons, project worksheets, theme poster and bookmark, and Cadet pencil included. @Home badge books are also sold separately and are available in Junior Cadet, Recruit, Pathfinder, and Builder editions.

Junior Cadets@Home Book - U.S

Junior Cadets@Home Book - Canada

Recruit@Home Book - U.S.

Recruit@Home Book - Canada

Pathfinder@Home Book - U.S.

Pathfinder@Home Book - Canada

Builder@Home Book - U.S.

Builder@Home Book - Canada

Junior Cadets@Home Kit - U.S.

Junior Cadets@Home Kit - Canada

Recruit@Home Kit - U.S.

Recruit@Home Kit - Canada

Pathfinder@Home Kit - U.S.

Pathfinder@Home Kit - Canada

Builder@Home Kit - U.S.

Builder@Home Kit - Canada

R•P•B Guidebook
We’ve highlighted the new R•P•B Guidebook before (see article), but we wanted to remind you that this new, improved version is designed to make badgework more engaging and make tracking achievements much easier.

R•P•B Guidebook - U.S.

R•P•B Guidebook - Canada

Beekeeping Badge
Bees are an important part of our ecosystem, and this badge will help budding beekeepers learn what it takes to be successful apiarists.

Updated Guide Trails Guidebooks
Several of our Guide Trails Guidebooks have been updated for 2020, including Agriculture, Alternative Energy, Craftsman, Leadership, and Money Management. The contents of these badge books have been rewritten and redesigned to be up-to-date and even more exciting than before.

Guide Trails Guidebooks - U.S.

Guide Trails Guidebooks - Canada

Updated Counselor Aid Booklets
We didn’t forget counselors, either – we’ve updated the contents and covers of many of our Counselor Aid Booklets. Check out the updated booklets for Braiding, Cadet-o-Rama (with Cadet-O-Ree info included!), Discovering God in Nature, Father Involvement in Cadeting, Flintknapping, Knots and Lashing, Model Car Derby, Snow Derby, and Water Carnival. Or save yourself some time and money and buy the whole set!

Counselor Aid Booklets - U.S.

Counselor Aid Booklets - Canada

Bible Lessons and Devotional Materials

Updated Discoverer Lessons
We’re updating the Bible lessons for Junior Cadets, starting with the Discoverer lessons for boys in first grade. The cadet and counselor editions have been re-written and re-designed, and each packet contains take-home activity papers for all 25 lessons.

Discoverer Bible Lessons - U.S.

Discoverer Bible Lessons - Canada

Discoverer Bible Lessons - Counselor Edition - Canada

Discoverer Bible Lessons - Counselor Edition - U.S.

Theme Lessons Set
We’ve taken all the Bible lessons from the Quest magazine and packaged them separately into their own set. Now you can use the theme Bible lessons from the Quest without needing a Quest subscription. Each packet includes 11 lessons.

Dive Into the Word Bible Lessons - U.S.

Dive Into the Word Bible Lessons - Canada

Quest B Lessons - Counselor Edition - U.S.

Quest B Lessons - Counselor Edition - Canada

3-Minute Prayers for Boys/3-Minute Devotions for Boys Books
These books are ideal for boys ages 8-12. The 3-Minute Prayers for Boys book contains 180 days of prayer, including relevant scripture passages for meditation with prayers designed to start a conversation with God. The 3-Minute Devotions for Boys book offers 90 readings that speak directly to boys’ interests with plenty of fun references to sports, video games, machines, and more. Each reading includes scripture passages, devotionals, and prayers that will spark further contemplation.

3-Minute Prayers for Boys - U.S.

3-Minute Prayers for Boys - Canada

3-Minute Devotions for Boys - U.S.

3-Minute Devotions for Boys - Canada

New Merchandise

Theme Poster and Camporee Poster
While you will receive one each of these posters in your fall start-up packet, we’re also making them available for purchase. These make great gifts for cadets to hang up at home and be reminded of this year’s theme and the upcoming Cadet International Camporee.

Theme Poster - U.S.

Theme Poster - Canada

Camporee Poster - U.S.

Camporee Poster - Canada

Stylus Pen
This multi-tasking pen includes a stylus tip suitable for electronic devices. Write with ease on paper or on screen.

Stylus Pen - U.S.

Stylus Pen - Canada

Pocket Knife
This 11-in-1 pocket knife is as versatile as it is good-looking. The Cadets logo is engraved on the bamboo body, and it includes a handy keyring chain and loop.

Pocket Knife - U.S.

Pocket Knife - Canada

Tumbler
A 20-ounce beverage tumbler that fits in almost any cupholder, this insulated, snap-top tumbler will keep your beverages at the right temperature while keeping them close-by.

Tumbler - U.S.

Tumbler - Canada

Matthew in the Middle Books
These books are perfect for Cadet-age boys and follow the adventures of middle child Matthew. As a Cadet, Matthew hopes to go to the International Camporee, but challenges typical to boys his age continue to arise. Join Matthew, with his active imagination and growing faith, as he muddles through difficulties large and small.

Matthew Muddles Through - U.S.

Matthew Muddles Through - Canada

Matthew Makes Strides - U.S.

Matthew Makes Strides - Canada

Matthew Moves Ahead - U.S.

Matthew Moves Ahead - Canada

If you have any questions or comments, please let the Corps office know at info@calvinistcadets.org.

February 18 2020

New R•P•B Guidebooks

Russ Roozeboom Featured, Merchandise

Our new Recruit – Pathfinder – Builder Guidebooks are here! This new, improved version of the R-P-B Guidebook is designed to make badgework more engaging and make tracking achievements much easier.

The first section of the book contains general information about Cadets, along with information specific to the Recruit, Pathfinder, and Builder ranks. It also includes information on Special Awards, Camping Skills, and Special Activities.

The Merit Badge section contains the information and study materials cadets will need to work on fifty of our favorite and most popular merit badges. The rest of the badgework materials are located online – more on that later.

Within the General Information section, each rank has a handy log to track progress, along with the study materials needed for each rank’s requirements – Cadet Landmarks for Recruits, Flag Knowledge for Pathfinders, and Citizenship for Builders.

This section also includes information on special awards and a way to track them, as well as information to help Cadets learn basic camping skills.

The General Information section ends with an overview of Special Activities like the International Camporee, Snow Derby, Cadet-O-Rama, Cadet-O-Ree, and Model Car Derby.

As mentioned earlier, the Merit Badge section contains the information and study materials cadets will need to work on fifty of our favorite and most popular merit badges.

Badges are organized into the familiar sections of Exploring, Skills, and Discovering God’s Word merit badges to help Cadets find the right badges for their rank requirements.

Merit badges themselves are still comprised of “Learning” and “Doing” sections but now include full-color illustrations and photos.

Looking for the rest of the merit badges? At the end of each section is a list of related badges that can be found online. You can also email info@calvinistcadets.org to inquire about any specific merit badge.

That’s a quick overview of the new, improved Recruit – Pathfinder – Builder Guidebook. We hope that you and your cadets will find it to be more engaging, more useful, and more fun than ever.

Buy the new R•P•B Guidebook - United States

Buy the new R•P•B Guidebook - Canada

April 30 2015

Grand Rapids North Council Finishes their Season