Participant Guide Basic Knots and Hitches Video Program 8-5-11channelislandsgirlscouts.weebly.com/uploads/5/7/8/... · macramé knot. Tie packages. Tie a scarf. Tie a sling, bandage

PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Basic Knots and Hitches Video Program

2011-2012 VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 2300 Ball Drive » St. Louis, MO 63146 » 314.592.2300 » 800.727.GIRL [4475]

The Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be

honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do,

and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

The Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The Girl Scout Motto Be Prepared. The Girl Scout Slogan Do a good turn daily.

BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page(s)

Copyright © 2011–2012. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. This guide is protected by copyright laws. No portion of this guide may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Please address permission requests to: Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, 2300 Ball Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, Attention: Adult Education Manager or call 800.727.GIRL [4475], 314.592.2300.

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................ii Program Objectives ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Materials Required........................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Instructions for Tying Knots ............................................................................................................................................. 2 – 7 Review of Knots and Hitches ...........................................................................................................................................8 – 9 Types of Ropes ...........................................................................................................................................................................10 Games......................................................................................................................................................................................11 – 12 The Next Step.............................................................................................................................................................................. 13

This program was paid for with proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Activity, Fall Product Activity and contributions from individuals and corporations.


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INTRODUCTION Welcome to the video program, "Basic Knots and Hitches." This program is not a home study program—there are no tests to complete or answer sheets to return. Purpose of this program A good knot can be easily tied and easily untied. Girl Scouts who know basic knots and hitches will find their outdoor experiences more enjoyable. Possible uses for the video include: Preparing for Basic Campcraft Skills, Troop Camp A or B or other GSEM adult education courses

that involve knot tying. Introducing knot tying to a troop or group. Increasing your own comfort level with knot tying. When you have completed the program, please return the DVD to the person from whom you obtained it. The participant guide is yours to keep. How to use this program This participant guide reiterates main points covered in the video and provides some additional information. You may wish to follow along in the guide and jot down notes as you watch the video.


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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES At the end of this learning experience, with the materials provided, participants will be able to: 1. Tie three knots and three hitches. 2. Tell which types of knots or hitches are most suitable for specific situations. Materials Required You will receive the greatest benefit from this program if you tie the knots yourself as they are dem-onstrated. You will need: Rope A: A six-foot length of rope of any diameter or color. Rope B: A three-foot length of rope of different diameter from Rope A. Rope B may be the

same color as Rope A. Rope C: A three-foot length of rope different in color from Rope A and of any diameter. Cotton ropes are recommended. You will also need a vertical object, such as a post or the leg of a chair or table, around which to tie knots or hitches.

Positioning the Ropes It is important to position the ropes exactly as illustrated before you begin to tie any knot. Positioning the ropes correctly will allow you to more easily follow the video.

Methods Only one method of tying each knot or hitch is illustrated in this program. Other resources may describe how to tie these knots and hitches in different ways.

Definitions Throughout the video, ropes are often referred to as having a “working end” and a “standing end.” The working end is the end which you will manipulate when tying the knot or hitch. The standing end is the end which remains immobile.


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INSTRUCTIONS FOR TYING KNOTS SQUARE KNOT: Use ropes A and C Remember the phrase: "Right over left and under, left over right and under.”

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Continued…


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Instructions for Tying Knots, continued

SHEET BEND: Use ropes A and B Begins like a square knot, but has an extra twist.

Continued…

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BOWLINE: Use rope A Remember the story: The standing end of the rope is called the tree. Make a small loop in front of the tree. This is the rabbit hole. The working end of the rope is called the rabbit. The rabbit comes out of its hole, goes around behind the tree, and back into its hole. To tighten the knot, grasp the tree with one hand and the rabbit and its tail in the other, and pull. Without the story: Pass the working end of the rope over the standing end to make a small loop (the distance from this loop to the working end of the rope will be the approximate circumference of the finished loop). Bring the working end of the rope up through the loop, pass it around the standing rope, then drop it back down through the loop. Grasp the working end where it both enters and exits the loop; pull simultaneously on the standing end.

Continued…

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HALF HITCH: Use rope A Loop the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. Cross the working end of the rope under the standing part, bring it up, and drop it down through the loop.

Continued…

DOUBLE HALF HITCH: Use rope A Make a second half hitch immediately below the first.

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CLOVE HITCH: Use rope A Pass the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. Bring the working end to the front of the post and cross it over the standing part, making an “X.” Wrap the working end around the post again, below the first wrap. When you bring the working end back to the front of the post, push the end under the far leg of the “X”. The end will come out between the two wraps around the post.

Continued…

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TAUT LINE HITCH: Use rope A Pass the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. When you bring the working end of the rope to the front of the post, wrap it around the standing part of the rope twice. Make the second wrap closer to the post than the first wrap. Then bring the working end of the rope away from the post and make a half hitch around the standing part of the rope.

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REVIEW OF KNOTS AND HITCHES

USED TO CAUTIONS COMMENTS

Square Knot: Joins two ropes of equal diameter (easiest of all knots to learn)

Join shorter pieces of rope to make a longer piece.

Mend a broken rope.

Tie bundles of things together.

Finish off lashing projects.

Make a decorative macramé knot.

Tie packages.

Tie a scarf.

Tie a sling, bandage or splint .

Do not use if stress will be placed on the knot.

Difficult to undo if wet or if extreme tension has been applied.

Sheet Bend: Joins two ropes of unequal diameter

Join shorter pieces of rope to make a longer piece.

Essentially a square knot with an extra twist. Will not slip.

Secure a guy rope to a tent.

Tie a loop around a rescue victim.

Create a loop to slip over a peg or hook.

Hoist or lower objects.

Will not jam or give. Expert knot tiers can tie this around their waist with one hand!

Bowline: Creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope

Continued…


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Review of Knots and Hitches, continued

USED TO CAUTIONS COMMENTS

Half Hitch: Secures the end of a rope after it has been looped around a post or tree, or through a ring

Tie up loose end of rope to prevent it from lying on the ground.

Haul or pull something.

Provides extra holding power when used in conjunction with another knot.

Double Half Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope

Provide a secure loop that can be adjusted.

Tie bed rolls.

Does not slide as well as a taut line hitch.

Clove Hitch: Secures the end of a rope to a post, tree, etc.

Tie the end of a hammock, beaver bag line or clothesline.

Hang storage box.

Hang hand-washing unit.

Begin a lashing project.

Will not hold on square poles. Do not use to tether a moving object, such as a boat or pet. Tugging will loosen the hitch.

Is most reliable when constant tension is exerted on the hitch. Will not come undone on its own.

Taut Line Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope

Loop guy lines around a tent peg.

Secure a beaver bag line, hammock or clothesline.

Hitch slides along the standing part of the rope. Allows tension to be adjusted without retying the knot.


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TYPES OF ROPE Many knots and hitches rely on the ability of the rope to create friction, either when overlapping itself or when tied around a tree or other object. For this reason, uncoated cotton ropes are best.

TYPE OF ROPE ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Cotton or Heavy Binders Twine

Creates friction. When stretched, will return close to original shape.

Will degrade—must be replaced.

Coated Cotton Resists weathering. Does not create friction.

Nylon Durable. Does not create friction. May be difficult to manipulate. Stretches and does not regain original shape.

Cotton Blend Creates friction. Durable.


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GAMES Relay Races Round 'Em Up: Teams sit or stand in a circle, with player #1 holding a rope and a short stick. When the name of a knot is called, player #1 must run completely around the outside of the circle, return to her original position, tie the knot and pass it to the player to her left. The stick is used if the knot must be tied around an object (e.g. the clove hitch). The player on the left then unties the knot, runs around the circle, ties the knot and passes it along. Each player takes a turn until the rope is returned to player #1. The team that completes the task first wins the game. Variation: Additional knots can be called. Teams get one point for every knot they complete first. Think Fast!: Teams stand in single file behind a line. Each girl has a length of rope. A goal line is des-ignated a short distance away from the start line. A set of cards is placed face down on the goal line for each team. Each card names a specific knot. All sets of cards are the same. There should be one card for each girl. On a given signal, the first player on each team runs to the goal line and selects a card. She must tie the knot designated on the card, set the completed knot and the card across the goal line, and return to her team. The next player on the team then repeats the process. The first team that completes the task, with all knots tied correctly, wins. Sinking Ships: Two parallel lines are drawn on the ground to represent a river. The banks of the river should be about eight feet apart. Patrols or teams (must be equal size) line up single file on one of the banks. Patrol/team leaders stand on the opposite bank with a fifteen-foot piece of rope. On signal, the leaders throw one end of the rope to the girl who is first in line for their team. That player ties a bowline around her waist and the leader pulls her to “safety” on the other bank. The girl who has been “rescued” unties the rope from around her waist and the leader throws the end to the next girl in line. The first team to rescue all players wins. Running Games

Cats' Tail: Before the game begins, out of view of the girls, hide 20-30 six-inch pieces of heavy string or lightweight rope. Have the girls form teams of equal size. Each team designates a “cat,” who is given a piece of string. At the signal, all players except the cats begin looking for the hidden pieces of string. As each piece is found, it is taken to the cat, who ties it with a square knot to the end of her string. The team that finishes with the longest “tail” wins.

Continued…


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Games, continued

Circle Games Blindfolds: Girls sit in a circle. Each girl has a piece of rope. On a given signal, each girl closes her eyes and ties the knot the caller has designated. The first girl who correctly ties the knot wins. Variation: Girls tie the knots behind their backs. Simon Says: Each girl has a piece of rope. The player designated as “Simon” calls out the name of a knot. The command must begin with the words, “Simon Says” (e.g. "Simon says: ‘Tie a square knot.’"). Each girl must tie the knot that has been called. Any girl who ties the knot incorrectly, ties the wrong knot or ties a knot when the leader did not say "Simon says" is out.

Parcels: Girls form circles of equal size. Girls take three steps backward so that there are several feet between each girl. Each team is given butcher paper, string and an assortment of items to wrap up. On a given signal, one girl wraps the items in the butcher paper, ties the bundle and tosses it to the player on her left. The package is tossed from player to player around the circle. The team whose parcel first arrives, intact, back at the beginning of the circle wins.

Tests of Mental Skill What Is It?: Participants form teams and stand in single file. One girl from each team is designated as the “judge” for another team. All girls except the judges put on blindfolds. Each judge receives a set of four tied knots. On signal, the judge for each team presents one knot to the first person in the line. The player must identify the knot by touch. If she names the knot correctly, she scores one point for her team. The judge then presents the other knots to the other girls on the team. The team scoring the most points wins.


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THE NEXT STEP Now that you have learned “Basic Knots and Hitches”, you are ready to register for the following GSEM adult education courses:

Basic Campcraft Skills: Includes square knot, bowline and clove hitch.

Troop Camp A or B: Includes square knot, sheet bend, bowline, clove hitch and taut line hitch.

Documents

Participant Guide Basic Knots and Hitches Video Program 8-5-11channelislandsgirlscouts.weebly.com/uploads/5/7/8/... · macramé knot. Tie packages. Tie a scarf. Tie a sling, bandage