KidsOutdoors

Event Started: 28/04/2008 - 18:30

Event Finished: 28/04/2008 - 20:00

Location: Arrochar

Attendees: 10

For a group of scouts, we're not very good at knots.   We've had knot based games and activities but they don't get greeted with the same enthusiasm as our other events.     In the last five months we have arranged : 

Decoupage card making             Cluedo cyptic murder mystery             Curling            Candle making              Night hike          Treasure Hunt          Snozone sledging            The Whangie hill walk              Swimming           Drama workshop        Pottery lessons          Kinlochleven climbing wall          Open night & presentations          West Highland rail journey            Community gardening         Community car wash        Sponsored walk        Lochgoilhead burn run        Lochside BBQ          First aid

We've not had a great deal of time to learn knots and our current abilities stretch to the traditional reef knot and a bowline.  

Time for a different approach.    Tonight we will try and build a catapult; an ideal opportunity to try some knots with the incentive of hurling a tennis ball across the playing field.  We figure it's the practical application of knots that's been missing, so we place more emphasis on the knots and their contribution to the success of the project.  

We congregate at the local swing park and unload our materials.     After a quick demonstration of a clove hitch and some lashings,  we get to work.    The frame soon starts to take shape and it's time to add the throwing arm.   The group learn the clove hitch in no time, but the lashings still look a bit loose and we debate our technique (or lack of it !)    

We have borrowed lengths of timber from a local builder, promising to return them in one piece.   This enables us to build a fairly substantial contraption.  The throwing arm is about 15ft long.  

We have a had a good time building it and we split into pairs to operate the pulley throwing system.   The competitive spirit kicks in and we all envisage tennis balls flying up to 50 meteres.  However, when all is said and done, we are a little disappointed with the results.       The pulley system works well and the tennis ball is thrown successfully, but only about 20 metres.    Our time is almost up as we think about performance enhancing changes.  Should we get a heavier ball, a lighter throwing arm, or should we redesign some of the frame ?  Perhaps our knots need to be more secure.

The goal was to practice some knots and to have a bit of fun.   All in all, a successful night and another successful outdoor activity.