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Description

Scouts make a free standing catapult, using ropes, poles and elastic bands.

They need to work together as a team, so best to set a leader for each group.

Use groups of between 4-6 Scouts, otherwise you have Scouts who are not involved in the task.

If you have time you could get each team to consturct something that can be knocked down by the other team, using their team's catapult.

Resources

The resources mentioned are needed per catipult.

Need 7 ropes for lashings to connect the poles together.
Need 6 poles - 3 for triangular support and 3 for the upright tripod.
Need elastic and something for the bucket - we used thick elastic bands and a plastic cup from IKEA with 3 holes melted into the cup for connecting the elastic bands.
Need something for the shot - we used a small plastic ball. (use something that won't cause harm if it hits someone)

Instructions

Start the activity by informing the Scouts of the risks involved - Poles falling or hitting people, fingers caught in ropes or between poles, rope burns. Explain how they can reduce those risks by working safely, good communication and being aware of their surroundings.

Demonstrate how to make the catapult.

Decide how many groups you will have and then put your Scouts into groups.

Select a leader for each group.

Give each group their resources to make the catapult.

Give each group a designated area to buid their catapult. Make sure it is not too close to the other groups, to avoid people getting hit by poles.

Assign a leader/helper to monitor each group. (this may not always be possible)

Let Scout's build their catapult.

1. Use 3 poles and 1 to assemble a tripod.

2. Attach the ends of a pole using a rope, to two legs of the tripod.

3. Place one end of a pole on top of one of the ends of the pole you just attached and the other to the 3rd leg of the tripod. Attach both ends of this pole to the tripod using ropes.

4. Now place the last pole on the ends of the other two poles that just got attached and attach it to the tripod with ropes.

5. Make 3 short chains of elastic bands. Attach each length to one of the holes in the bucket. Attach two lengths of elastic band to two of the upright poles and the last one to the pole in the base.

6. Get Scout leaders to inspect the catapult before use.

This video shows how to make the tripod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrztrPYRvM4

This video shows you what the final catapult should look like: https://www.facebook.com/1000FantasticScoutGames/videos/pioneer-activity-badge-giant-catapult/2034100753473727/

Tags

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Badge Links

• Outdoors - Camp Gadget
• Pioneer - Outdoors
• Teamwork - Goal
• Teamwork - Team-building