Tesomas Scout Camp
Crystal Lake Scout Reservation
Sculpture Merit Badge
Requirements:
Updated Requirements as of January 1, 2008
1. Explain to your counselor the precautions that must be fallowed for the safe use and
operation of a sculptor’s tools, equipment, and other materials
2. Do TWO of the fallowing
a. Model in clay a life-sized human head. Then sculpt in modeling clay or carve/rasp in
wood or soft stone a small-scale model of an animal or human. Explain to your
counselor the methods and tools you used to sculpt the figure.
b. Make a plaster mold of a fruit or vegetable. In this mold make a copy of the fruit or
vegetable. Explain to your counselor the methods and tools you used to make the
copy.
c. With your parents permission and your counselor’s approval, visit a museum, art
exhibit, art gallery, artists’ co-op, or artist’ studio. After your visit share with your
counselor what you have learned. Discuss the importance of visual art and how it
strengthens social tolerance and helps stimulate cultural, intellectual, and personal
development.
3. Find out about a career opportunity in sculpture. Pick one and find out about the education,
training, and experiences required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and
explain why this profession might interest you.
Handicraft Comprehensive Syllabus
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Tesomas Scout Camp
Crystal Lake Scout Reservation
Syllabus- Prepared by Jordan Penn, Summer 2011
Monday
REQ#1: (Instruction) Go over safety
 DON’T EAT THE CLAY
 DON’T EAT OR DRINK THE PLASTER
 If you cut yourself
o Minor cut: Tell your counselor, wash the wound with soap and water, put a
bandage on it.
o Major cut: Tell you counselor immediately. Apply pressure and go to the health
office with your counselor.
Talk about aspects of sculptures and what people look for
 Negative space: The spaces not taken up by sculpture. The more negative space the
lighter a sculpture will look.
o Ex] The spaces in between chair legs
 Positive space: Space taken up by the sculpture. The more positive space the heavier the
sculpture will look.
o Ex] A hippo has lots of positive space.
 Contrast: The difference between weight, size and color
 Balance: Does the sculpture look even and proportional.
 Color: Do the colors go together and look good?
Go over different types of “construction” (You can have them try these out if there is time)
 Pinch Pot
o Take a ball of clay and stick your thumb into it. Then begin to pinch and pull the
sides out until you have a bowl.
 Ball or Orb
o Make two pinch pots and combine them by smoothing together the edges.
 Hard or soft slab
o Take clay and flatten it out until it’s at least ¼ inch thick. For a hard slab, let it dry
 Free hand
o Making a shape without using any of the other methods mentioned
 Go over how to mix plaster.
o First find something to mix the plaster with. This can be a stick or your hand.
Then fill a container with water. The amount will depend on the amount of kids.
Then start adding plaster. The plaster will be thick enough when it won’t run off
the object you used to stir. Any thicker and you won’t be able to pour it.
If you finish early have them make whatever they want out of clay.
Handicraft Comprehensive Syllabus
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Tesomas Scout Camp
Crystal Lake Scout Reservation
Tuesday
REQ#1: (Evaluation) Safety
REQ#2A: (Instruction and Evaluation) Start the model of the human head. Have them make it as
life like as possible.
Pour the 1st half of their plaster molds. Have them cast a rock or a small clay object.
 Spray each cup with cooking spray, fill half way with plaster, spray the object with
cooking spray and set part way in the plaster. Let dry.
If they finish early have them make whatever they want out of clay.
Wednesday
REQ#2A: (Evaluation) If they didn’t finish their heads do that first.
REQ#2B: (Instruction) Have them make their humans or animal from clay (NO snakes, worms,
eels, caterpillars or anything else you think is too easy)
Pour the 2nd part of the plaster cast
 Set a small piece of clay on to the object to create a pouring hole. Spray the bottom
layer of plaster with cooking spray, mix the plaster and pour to cover object.
Thursday
REQ#2B: (Instruction) Have them take apart their plaster molds gently. Take out the rock or clay
object. Spray both halves with cooking spray, and then put them back together. Use a rubber
band to keep them attached. Mix up some plaster and pour into the molds. Let them dry.
 When you are done let them play with clay and make whatever they want.
Friday
REQ#3: (Instruction and Evaluation) Go to the computer lab and have them search for a career
that involves sculpture. Have them explain it to you.
 Ex: Artist, sculptor, landscaper, art sales person, art museum curator
REQ#2B: (Evaluation) Have them gently take apart their molds and see how they turned out.
They might not always work.
Test them on what they learned this week.
Handicraft Comprehensive Syllabus
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