Cub Scouts...Cars...Basic Knowledge and Mechanics...any ideas?

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66340SEDAN

66340SEDAN

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My neighbor is a Cub Scout leader, being a gearhead he asked me a couple days ago if I would be interested in teaching some boys the basics of cars and tools. I was hesitant but said I would do it. I am a little nervous speaking in front of a group, there will be about 10 kids and some adults. They want me to cover the basics like changing a tire, fluid level checks, stuff like that. I was gonna do the tire change thing, also have an extra rim/tire that they can air up with a compressor and check the pressure. Will also show the basics of charging a battery or jump starting a car too. The meeting will be about an hour and a half, we are doing this in my shop tonight. I was going to explain how I got interested in cars, starting out with models cars, then moving up to the big toys.

Anything else I could cover? They are just young kids but they can learn alot from this and maybe help others too. I will be showing them this stuff on my old Mopars 8) Thanks!!
 
When I was in the cub scouts there was little wooden car kits which our troop leader got for each of us. That would be a good way to get them interested in building their own car for a small derby races. We would carve out our ideas in car design then put them together.
 
I would show them how to check for the valve core leaking. I think the battery jumping may be a little dangerous at the age since if they try to do it as kids will the results could be explosive. Basics on an oil filter and why you need to change it with the oil might be something. If you have some spare parts you could show them and explain what they do. If you have computer access in the shop, you could show them the oil filter thread so they will know that not all parts are equal.
 
Valiant Rebel said:
When I was in the cub scouts there was little wooden car kits which our troop leader got for each of us. That would be a good way to get them interested in building their own car for a small derby races. We would carve out our ideas in car design then put them together.
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Teach them to check lights on the car and how important it is. Learn how to change lamps. That can save alot of accidents. Good luck tonight
 
Depending on their age, I am guessing 10-12 yrs or less.
You might also have an old push lawn mower there, since most of them are probably helping their dads mow grass.
Show them how to check and fill the oil, clean the air filter, how to add the gas when the engine is only cold, etc.
You could always use this as a plan "B" back up if you run out of topics on cars to talk about.
 
Covering the basic's is all you should do for the uping fella's. Make a mention that you enjoy the challenge and enjoy making a modification or two to the engine for more power or mileage.

If there is some intrest in what you have modified, then you can get into a "In general" what you did. The details are hard to cram in during a "Meet" like this. Adults are the tuff ones to explain to in a fashion that doesn't create more quetions of complexity that boarder debate or argument. (Cause some parents are just plain nuts.)
 
Make sure to cover the importance of safety. If working with a battery, stress how important it is to wear safety glasses. Might wanna tell um to wear gloves to operate a jack. They can pinch frig out of you. Tell um about chockin the wheels.....you know, all the stuff to keep from gettin killed.
 
Lots of good ideas, I will cover the light bulbs too. I have my snowblower in the garage too, can go over some small engine stuff too. This is just the basic, easy stuff they want me to cover, noting too in depth.
 
StrokerScamp said:
Make sure to cover the importance of safety. If working with a battery, stress how important it is to wear safety glasses. Might wanna tell um to wear gloves to operate a jack. They can pinch frig out of you. Tell um about chockin the wheels.....you know, all the stuff to keep from gettin killed.
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Yup, you read my mind, have all that stuff ready to go!
 
might also stress to use jack stands and not just leave it up on the jack!
 
If you're going to teach them with a snow blower, wait till you have snow on your driveway and make sure they all get a turn, parents included.
 
I always believed that every High School student should have to take a automotive 101 course. Oil changes, tire changes, inspection, fluid checks and the basics of cars and how they work and keep them running.
 
I bet it went great :cheers:
In my opinion at the age of 10 to 12 years old is the time for the parents to understand that it is time to get your children involved with everything at this time.
To the parents that take care of there car when it has a flat or just checking fluids unplug there computer's and games!! and get them out there with you.....or suffer the consequences of seeing him her get hurt helping some one change a tire or checking water levels for some one ells when you are not with them.
I remember Mike Jr. telling Treva that she needs to check the air in a tire because it was low I think he was about 12 years old :glasses7:and when I came home from work that day and she told me about it I was a proud father and he got a big thank you from me for helping me keep mom safe , Yes get your children involved with any and all things they will soon be dealing with in life. Because when they are off spending the night with a friend you want to be sure they have some of these skills imbedded in there brains :coffee2:
Looking forward to how it went 66340SEDAN :cheers:
 
It went great! There were about 10 kids (and some parents), they really liked the old cars, also had my 98 R/T in there so they could see alot of differences between the new and old stuff. Showed them how to jack up the car using all the safety steps. Had some extra wheels and let them pop a hubcap on and off, they really got excited when I let them air them up with the compressor!! Had an old school tire gauge and a new digital one, they aired them up, they got a little too much and they learned how to let some out. Covered the fluid levels and bulbs, oil change, washing...basic stuff. They thought the old cars were really cool and had lots of questions about them....maybe one will get into the old stuff from a meeting like this!! I also explained how I got into the hobby and how cars can not only be a learning experience but can be fun. Thanks guys for the help!
 
memike said:
I bet it went great :cheers:
In my opinion at the age of 10 to 12 years old is the time for the parents to understand that it is time to get your children involved with everything at this time.
To the parents that take care of there car when it has a flat or just checking fluids unplug there computer's and games!! and get them out there with you.....or suffer the consequences of seeing him her get hurt helping some one change a tire or checking water levels for some one ells when you are not with them.
I remember Mike Jr. telling Treva that she needs to check the air in a tire because it was low I think he was about 12 years old :glasses7:and when I came home from work that day and she told me about it I was a proud father and he got a big thank you from me for helping me keep mom safe , Yes get your children involved with any and all things they will soon be dealing with in life. Because when they are off spending the night with a friend you want to be sure they have some of these skills imbedded in there brains :coffee2:
Looking forward to how it went 66340SEDAN :cheers:
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Yup, I agree, the kids were between 8-12 years old. I told them this basic stuff can help them teach other people too. I do most of my own oil changes, wash all my cars myself at home, this all saves me money too. I told them to get out and help dad and learn from him, most of these kids never even get to wash a car so they had a blast with the "hands on" experience.
 
JOB WELL DUN and let me thank you for your time, we need more of this going on all over the world brother.
It sounds like the young guns enjoyed it and want's to do it more :cheers:
I would bet you 10 to 1 that they went home and said that they don't want a new car :cheers: I want a real car dad!!!
Have the troop leader print out a fun test :D
A check and see what your parents need to do to there car's!!!
Quote = Wow dad!! you need to put valve stem covers on moms car tires, just a small pebble or sand can get in there and mess it up :D
Quote = My moms car had 23 lbs in the rear right tire and 34 on the rear left tire :D
Quote = Dads car smells funny when he comes home from work, I told him and he showed me he needed a new radiator cap. :D
Quote = Hay Mom!! Dad bought a new tool box, you need new tires on you car first!! :cheers:

All good fun , and thank you for what you do 66340SEDAN your the Man :cheers:
 
66340SEDAN said:
It went great! There were about 10 kids (and some parents), they really liked the old cars, also had my 98 R/T in there so they could see alot of differences between the new and old stuff. Showed them how to jack up the car using all the safety steps. Had some extra wheels and let them pop a hubcap on and off, they really got excited when I let them air them up with the compressor!! Had an old school tire gauge and a new digital one, they aired them up, they got a little too much and they learned how to let some out. Covered the fluid levels and bulbs, oil change, washing...basic stuff. They thought the old cars were really cool and had lots of questions about them....maybe one will get into the old stuff from a meeting like this!! I also explained how I got into the hobby and how cars can not only be a learning experience but can be fun. Thanks guys for the help!
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66340SEDAN said:
Yup, I agree, the kids were between 8-12 years old. I told them this basic stuff can help them teach other people too. I do most of my own oil changes, wash all my cars myself at home, this all saves me money too. I told them to get out and help dad and learn from him, most of these kids never even get to wash a car so they had a blast with the "hands on" experience.
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X2 on what memike said. They will remember that class for years to come. Now the parents will have helpers when they wash their car or when they do a little something to their cars.
 
DUDE! You have done us proud and I have to admit, I'm a little bit in envy. This was most very cool of you to do. I do not get to teach kids fun stuff. I get to teach adults about the equipment I work on. Trains. Not as much fun, by far. But it is still fun and it is cool teaching.
 
rumblefish360 said:
DUDE! You have done us proud and I have to admit, I'm a little bit in envy. This was most very cool of you to do. I do not get to teach kids fun stuff. I get to teach adults about the equipment I work on. Trains. Not as much fun, by far. But it is still fun and it is cool teaching.
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Thanks alot, I am glad I did this, made me feel really good knowing I may have influenced some of these kids. The kids had a blast and loved the old stuff, also asked a ton of questions..the parents also said they learned some stuff too :D I was never in Cub Scouts but if I had done something like that as a young kid I would have been super excited too, If asked again I will gladly do it!
 
I'm very proud of you Keith for doing this. Young people today do not get enough guidance or encouragement.
 
Congrats, and don't be afraid to volunteer to work more with the Cub/Boy Scouts. I did it for years from coaching softball to helping with the pinewood derby. It is a great organization and it needs the knowlegde and help of great adults like you!
 
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