Pioneering – Chariot Race

As mentioned in previous posts, the theme for this month is “Pioneering”. Last week they constructed flagpoles, and the week before that they build tripods. For this meeting, their challenge was to build chariots using small logs, staves, and the knot-tying skills they have learned during this month.

The term “chariot” may not be the best word to describe the item they were to build, but it somewhat fits. The end product needed to be able to transport a Scout from a starting line to the finish line. The Scouts were in two patrols, and the first to construct their chariot and use it to get a Scout across the finish line was the winner.

As usual with projects such as these, the end product isn’t the focus. What’s more important is that they learned something, were able to put that new skill into practice with some hands-on activities, and have fun in the process. We seem to have been successful, not just with this meeting, but with the entire month. Hopefully, we can keep up the trend!

Here’s a recap of the meeting from one of our Scouts who currently holds the position of Webmaster…

This week we continued our pioneering theme and went over the square lashing.

In our first-aid section of the meeting, we went over minor puncture wounds and how to handle them. First, we went over what a puncture wound is and what can cause them. Then we went over what you should do if it happens to you.

After that, we went over how to tie a square lashing, which is used to tie two poles together at a ninety-degree angle.

Once we had learned that, we split up into two groups for a race to make a “chariot” using square lashings and pull it to one end of the field, and the first team there wins.

We had one square lashing for each corner and then two for each side of the middle bar. The winning team left the other team in the dust!

After putting everything away, as always we wrapped up the evening with the Lord’s Prayer and headed home for the night.