Scouts and Explorers: Top of the Table
Practise your table lashing skills and produce a perfect camp table for your peckish pioneers!
Download instructions here: https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk/media/7464/top-of-the-table-assembly-instructions.pdf
Today we’re going to
develop our pioneering skills (and practise our knots and lashings) by building
a camp table, problem solving along the way. Before we get started, we’ll need
something to act like ropes and spars. You could use pens, pencils, and string
if that’s easier. We’ll need 14 pieces of rope or string, five long spars, four
medium spars, two small spars, and some planks.
First things first,
we’re going to check that our ropes and spars are in good condition – it seems
less important for pens and pencils, but it’s a good habit to get into. We’re
going to start by making an A-frame. Take two medium spars and tie a sheer
lashing on one end – tie a clove hitch around one pole then wrap both with a
simple lashing. Wrap the lashing with two or three tight frapping turns and tie
off the end with a clove hitch.
Once we’ve got our
sheer lashings, we’re going to pull the two spars apart and lash a third,
smaller spar near the base to make the support. For a square lashing we need to
tie a clove hitch around a pole, twist the short end around the long end and
wrap the rope around both poles, going over and under each pole for about three
or four turns. We’ll tighten the lashing by surrounding it with three or four
frapping turns, then finish it off with two or three tight half hitches.
Now we need our five
longer spars. We’ll use a square lashing to connect one to the top of both A-frames
so our structure stays upright while we attach the others. Does anyone remember
the steps to a square lashing? It’s clove hitch, twist the short end, over and
under, frapping turns, half hitches. Once we’ve got the first one sorted, we’ll
do the other four – two are going to be the sides of the table while the other
two are the benches. We need to make sure they’re straight and even, otherwise
people (or food) will slide down the bench.
Finally, we’re going
to attach our planks to make the table top. We’re going to use a double floor
lashing, starting with a clove hitch around one of the supporting spars (the
long ones we just attached) and twisting the short tail around the long part of
the rope. We’ll bring the rope over the top of the first plank, on the inside
of the spars, then make a loop and pop it over the end of the plank. We’re
going to keep going, bringing the rope over the top then making the loop and
hooking it over the edge – the rope always stays on the inside of the
supporting spar… once we’ve looped it over the last plank, we’ll finish it off
with two half-hitches and push them tight against the planks. And you guessed
it, we’re going to repeat on the other side. And there you have it – everyone
should have a mini camp table.
This Activity Completes:
Requirement 1.a –
Scouts Pioneer Activity Badge
