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CUB 5114

Cub Scout Knots

Mt. Diablo-Silverado CouncilLeader Education & Discovery Conference

January 28, 2017

Bruce F. LezerAssistant ScoutmasterTroop 317, Concord, CA

Introductions

Please share the following:•  Name•  Role in Scouting (Wolf/Bear/Webelos Den Leader, etc.)

•  Unit and location•  Knot tying experience•  What has been a memorable / rewarding Scouting

experience for you?

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Requirements

•  Wolf

•  Bear

•  Webelos – Arrow of Light

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Helpful Hints•  Use ropes 3/8” to 1/4” dia., 6’ long, moderate stiffness•  Each person must have their own rope.•  Use two different colored ropes.•  Tie hitches around PVC pipe, chair legs, or even their

own legs.•  SAFETY: With the exception of the necktie/half-Windsor

knot, no ropes shall be tied around the neck!•  Encourage and keep it fun with games, quizzes,

activities (kboards), or “incidents” that require the boys to recall what they have learned.

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Helpful Hints

•  Use the EDGE Method–  Explain (Tell them; Give written instruction or explanation)–  Demonstrate (Show; Do it yourself as they watch; Use a

diagram; Tell a story)–  Guide (Watch them do it and give verbal hints and tips; Do it

together at the same time; Let them try it then talk about it; Let them as questions as they try it)

–  Enable (Give a memory aid; Give them a task that requires this learning; Ask them to teach someone the new learning; Give them resources to do it again without you; Help them use the learning again in a new setting or situation)

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Wolf Requirements

Wolf Adventure Requirement – Call of the Wild

5.  Tie an Overhand knot and a Square knot. Explain what they are used for. (use EDGE)

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Bear Requirements

Bear Adventure Requirements – Bear Necessities

5. Demonstrate how to tie two half hitches and what it is used for. (use EDGE)

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Webelos Requirements

Arrow of Light Adventure – Outdoorsman

3. Learn how to tie a bowline knot and explain how it should be used and why. Teach another Scout how to tie a bowline who is not a Webelos Scout. (use EDGE)

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Rope Basics

•  Rope is made by twisting together the stringy fibers of certain plants, or by twisting together or weaving strands of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or other modern material.

•  The ends of every rope should be whipped or fused to keep from unraveling. For a temporary fix, tie a knot at each end or wrap it with duct them tape.

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Whipping & Fusing

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WARNING: Melted rope will be hot and sticky. Do not touch the end until it has cooled. Do not try to fuse ropes made of natural fibers, because they will burn rather than melt.

Notes On Knots

•  All knots have a purpose and it is just as important to understand what that purpose is and when the knot is used as having the ability to tie it. The wrong knot at the wrong time can be dangerous.

•  Learning how to tie knots takes practice.•  A good knot should be easy to tie, stay tied, and be easy

to untie.•  There are two main parts of tying a knot: (1) making the

right tying steps in the correct order, and (2) tightening the knot. Shape the knot into place before tightening. Some need coaxing to get into position.

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Types of Knots

•  A bend is a knot used to join two ropes to make a longer rope. Also known as joining knots.

•  A hitch is a knot that ties a rope to something else, like a pole, post, or other object.

•  Loops join the rope back to itself, making a circle (or several). Some loops are fixed, some are slipped.

•  Bindings fasten together the ends of cords or ropes to secure packages, bundles, & bandages.

•  Stopper knots are used to prevent a rope from pulling free, to add weight at the end, or to provide grip.

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Overhand & Figure Eight

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Figure Eight

* Knot commentary and most diagrams are from “Six Boy Scout Knots” by John Geffre

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Square Knot & Sheet Bend

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Two Half Hitches & Taut-Line Hitch

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Bowline

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Literature

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Online Resources

Animated Knots by Grogwww.animatedknots.com/

Boys Life Animated Knotsboyslife.org/video-audio/644/learn-to-tie-knots/

Six Boy Scout Knots by John Geffremeritbadge.org/wiki/images/5/5d/Six-Boy-Scout-Knots.pdf

Rope Works Archive by Gerald Findleywww.ropeworks.biz/archive/arch.html#DOWNLOAD

YouTube

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Helpful Hints

•  Have older Scouts help teach younger Scouts.•  Ideally, there would be one instructor to one or two

participants. This makes demonstrations easier.•  Keep ropes in your Den box for a backup activity.

–  Jump rope, tug 'o war, limbo, rope circles, stomp the snake–  Ropes can also be used for Start/Finish lines or boundaries

•  Practice, practice, practice.Then use it and make it fun!

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Cub Scout Knots (CUB5114)

•  Bruce Lezer Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 317 bruce.lezer@gmail.com

•  Download this presentation at: www.bsa-mdsc.org/training/leader- education-and-discovery-lead/lead- handouts

•  Please fill out online Survey Monkey course evaluation.

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Cow Hitch & Clove Hitch

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Cow Hitch

Timber Hitch & Sheepshank

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Square Lashing

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Diagonal Lashing

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