Grog's Index of Scouting Knots

Source: AnimatedKnots.com
 

Knots Terminology

Names for Ropes and Knots

Terminology for ropes and knots is confusing. Knots are divided into broad categories such as hitches and bends. If you are trying to learn what we have presented here then you may be perfectly happy to call them all knots. However, the correct terminology is useful and worth learning:

  • Bend: Joins two ropes or fishing lines, e.g., Sheet BendAlpine Butterfly BendFigure 8 Bend,Ashley BendHunter's BendZeppelin Bend.
  • Bight: Made by folding a piece of rope so that the two parts lie alongside each other. When tied near the rope's end, the parts will be the Tail lying beside the Standing End. A bight can be used to finish many knots - making them easy to untie by just pulling the tail. The term "Bight" does not imply a "Loop" and does not mean the same.

 

Timber Hitch Tying


 

Alpine Butterfly Loop (Lineman's Loop) Tying


 

Heart of the Scout Law

March 29, 2012 by Larry Geiger

The heart of the Scout Law is Helpful, Friendly, Courteous and Kind. All the points of the Law are equally important and vitally important to Scouting. These four points, however, define the basics of how we interact with each other in the Scout Troop. Scouts who live by these four points of the Law will find their time in Scouting to be enjoyable and will avoid many troubles in life after Scouting.


A couple of times a year I sit down with the Troop during a regular Scout meeting, at a campfire or in a Scoutmaster minute and we talk about the Heart of the Scout Law. I often ask the Scouts to get out their Boy Scout Handbooks and read to me the definition of each one of these points. We then discuss and talk about what these mean in the context of the Troop.

A Scout is Helpful.
A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.

A Scout is Friendly.
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.

A Scout is Courteous.
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.

A Scout is Kind.
A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.

I really like to focus on Helpful and Courteous. I think most Scouts understand Friendly and Kind fairly well, though we do talk about those as comments and questions come up.

Helpful is extremely important in almost everything we do as a Patrol. No Helpful, no Patrol progress. The whole Patrol idea is built on helpfulness and cooperation. A Patrol where each Scout refuses to pitch in and help is a Patrol headed for trouble. Especially around mealtimes. Obviously, one of the best examples of Helpful is when a Scout pitches in and does his duty to clean up after a meal when it’s been assigned to him on the duty roster.

It is interesting to me that young Scouts often have very little idea what some of the points of the Scout Law actually mean. They’ve been with me for so long that I suppose that I forget that there was a time when I did not know some of this stuff (yeah, I know, back when dirt was being invented!). Two of these obscure points are often Courteous and Thrifty. The definition includes the word “polite” which is good, but I like to talk about the rules and guidelines that we as a society understand are necessary to normal human relations.

One of those guides include things like the Scout handshake. The handshake helps Scouts learn to interact with each other that prepares them for the adult version. The handshake indicates that we interact as “equals”. We may not have the same position but we stand face to face as individuals. For instance, we don’t usually have relationships where one person bows or kneels before another person. We might talk about subjects like how to set a table, how to say thank you to a host, how to start and run a Patrol meeting and how to relate to adults. Most all societal norms are viable topics for discussion.

I think that it’s important that the Scoutmaster bring up the Scout Oath and Law during Scout meetings, Scoutmaster minutes and campouts. It’s very appropriate that the older Scouts discuss these with their Patrols but I think it’s also important that the adults also bring these up and emphasize their importance on a regular basis.

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/heart-of-the-scout-law/

 

Double Overhand Stopper Knot


 

Figure 8 Knot (Flemish)


 
Leadership is the keynote to success– but leadership is difficult to define, and leaders are difficult to find. I have frequently stated that “any ass can be a commander, and a trained man may often make an instructor; but a leader is more like the poet– born, not manufactured.”

Baden-Powell
from B.P.’s Outlook available from The Dump

 
The best leader is one that the people are barely aware of.
The next best is one who is loved and praised by the people.
Next comes one who is feared.
Worst is one who is despised.
If the leader does not have enough faith in his people,
They will not have faith in him.
The best leader puts great value in words and says little
So that when his work is finished
The people all say, “We did it ourselves!”


Lao Tzu
From the Tao Te Ching


 
Authors James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner  have distilled thirty years of research and one million plus responses to their questions in The Truth about Leadership :

You Make a Difference. Before you lead others you have to believe you will have a positive impact on others.Credibility Is the Foundation of Leadership. People are willing to follow someone who know, express and and consistently follow their values. Honesty and integrity are vital.


Values Drive Commitment. One can only commit completely to work they believe in, that matches their values.

Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart. Leaders spend time reflecting
on the future. Being prepared for the next big thing inspires and energizes others