BUILD THE (UNOFFICIAL) BOY SCOUT CANDLE LANTERN
This torch is "trustworthy, loyal, brave, and true" . .
. and can be made in minutes!
OUTDOOR GEAR
by William Luke
Undoubtedly, most of you have — at one time or
another — heard the Boy Scout motto, "Be prepared!"
Well, in my 13-year involvement with Scouting, I've found
that a big part of being prepared is knowing how to "do
more with less" (another phrase that is certainly familiar
to MOTHER-readers). And since I've put a good bit of
MOTHER's wisdom to use in my BSA program over the years,
I'd like to help even things up by sharing a Scouting idea
with MOM's readers. It's a special adaptation of the old
tin-can lantern, and — though it's nothing fancy
— it's darned handy to have around the old homestead
when the electricity goes off . . . and it's a great
addition to any lowbudget camper's or backpacker's outfit.
Here's how to put together the no-cost little gadget:
Scrounge up a No. 10 tin can or a twopound coffee can . . .
a wire coat hanger . . . an inch-long nail . . . a few
inches of fine wire of some sort (copper is excellent for
this) . . . a stick or narrow piece of wood about six
inches long . . . and a candle stub or one of those short,
fat kitchen candles. That's your total bill of materials!
Now, start work by straightening out the coat hanger,
snipping off both curly ends, and cutting the wire in half.
Lay the two pieces aside for a moment and direct your
attention to the can. With the lid off the tin, turn the
can on its side . . . so that what was the top is now the
"front" of the soon-to-be lantern. Next, punch eight holes
in the can. The bottom holes should be about twice as far
apart as are those in the top. (See the accompanying
illustration.)