A simple binding knot used to join two ropes or to tie a bundle.
A strong, secure knot that can be tied to a pole.
A versatile, adjustable knot used to tension a line, such as a tent guy line, that may need to be adjusted after being set.
A knot for joining two ropes, especially those of different diameters.
A knot that forms a secure, fixed loop at the end of a rope that won't slip and is easy to untie.
A knot that forms a secure, fixed loop at the end of a rope that won't slip and is easy to untie.
A simple, quick knot used to drag or haul objects like logs or timbers.
The Why Knot? Program encourages scouts to learn the uses, classifications and how to tie knots commonly used in scouting. The scout earns a colored rope to signify their mastery of the knots required at a particular level. To earn a rope, the scout must be “tested” by a Troop Knotmaster or Scout Knotmaster. Every scout begins by testing to earn their pink rope. Then, only ONE level can be advanced per scout meeting or event. On campouts, a scout can advance ONE level per day.
The Test
To advance to the next level, a scout must request to be tested by a Knotmaster. For each knot tied, the scout must be able to tie the knot within two attempts, state the type of knot (i.e. joining, slip, rescue, etc.) and give one or more examples of how the knot should be used. The knots are not useful unless the scout knows how to use them!
Display of the Rope
The rope is part of the scout uniform for troop 213. It is to be worn at all times during scout activities. Ropes may be tied or coiled and clipped to a carabineer hanging from the belt.
A scout can be challenged by any other scout at the same level or above to tie any knot required for their level. Only the Scout Knotmaster and Knotmaster Mentor levels are exempt from challenge. When a challenge is issued, the challenger must pick a Knotmaster to judge the challenge. From that point, the following procedure is used:
1.The challenger names the knot to be tied by the challenger.
2.The challenged scout has up to two opportunities to tie the knot.
3.The judge will inspect the knot and decide if it was tied correctly.
4.If the challenged scout fails to tie the knot correctly, his rope will be taken and replaced with a pink rope*.
5.The challenger must also be able to tie the knot and steps 3 and 4 are followed for the challenger as well.
At the next opportunity for testing, a scout who failed a change knot may test up to the level of rope that they had previously lost. If successful, they would exchange his pink rope for the rope lost in the challenge.
Square Knot
Blue Rop
Overhand Knot
Slip Knot
Whip a rope
Two Half Hithces
Fues a Rope
Red Rope
Bowline
Taut Line Hitch
Clove Hitch
Two Half Hitches
Timber Hitch
Yellow Rope
Sheet Bend
One-handed Bowline
Diagonal Lashing
Sheep Shank
Square Lashing
Sheer Lashing
Orange Rope
Bowline on a Bight
Butterfly Loop
Highwayman’s Hitch
2 knots of choice
Green Rope
Back Splice
Eye Splice
Short Splice
5 more knots of choice
Black Rope
All knots from choice list. Introduce two unique knots to other Knotmasters.
Red White & Blue Rope
Knots of Choice: Double Sheet Bend; Carrick Bend; Masthead Knot; Pipe Hitch; Fisher- man’s knot; Cat’s Paw; Prusik Knot; Round Turn and Two Half Hitches; Rolling Hitch; Constrictor Knot; Water Knot; Honda Knot; Barrel Hitch.
Lost or Forgotten Ropes: If a scout forgets to wear his rope to a meeting or other scouting activity, they will be given a pink rope to wear for that scout event. The pink rope group might be assigned “special” duties for the event such as clean-up detail, latrine duty, etc. If a scout loses his rope, it may be replaced for a fee $1, but only after the scout has tied all of the knots for his level.
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