(Sample Print Promotion)
SCOUTS HAVE FUN PUTTING THEIR SKILLS INTO ACTION BY PLAYING CATCH THE SNAPPER
Round lashings are most frequently used to join poles together to increase their length, like when making a long flagpole. With a round lashing, there are no frapping turns. The manner in which these lashings need to be applied results in the poles being in a position where they are already tightly touching. Taking frapping turns between the parallel parts would only weaken the connection.
The most commonly used method of applying a round lashing starts with a clove hitch around both poles followed by eight to ten tight wraps that are flush together, and then ending with another clove hitch around both poles. The objective is to combine the poles together to make a longer length that is as rigid as possible. Connecting two poles in this fashion requires two round lashings, each tied tightly well near the ends of each pole where they overlap. View How to Tie a Round Lashing video: https://youtu.be/tDGSiQhmwBs?si=G6Y3pD2gGYmPyfr_
—> After a Scout skill is learned, there should be an opportunity to put it into action in a fun way that illustrates how it’s used. Here’s a friendly competition your troop will really enjoy:
CATCH THE SNAPPER
For each team, you’ll need four 5-foot Scout staves (hiking staffs, available through your council’s service center), six 6-foot lashing ropes, one 3-foot cord, one fishing sinker and at least one mouse or rattrap.
Mark out an area about 14 feet across. No Scouts are allowed to enter this area. One side is designated as the river bank, and it’s from there teams attempt to catch the “snapper,” which is a cocked mouse or rat trap, 14 feet away on the opposite side of the “river.” On signal, teams use all their materials to build a long fishing pole which they use to catch the “snapper.” (Only the fishing sinker is allowed to touch the “snapper,” and it must dangle down at the end of the 3-foot cord.)
– Scoring: The first patrol to lift the mouse or rattrap up by catching it on their fishing sinker wins.
For a library of ideas on how to make more fun happen during meetings and outings, visit the activities section of the Troop Leader Resource Hub: https://troopleader.scouting.org/activities/
View Catch the Snapper video: https://youtu.be/pGNl8NZLYQI?si=UKEhfIuQX4xDT-1w