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Give this pioneering-themed game a try. An alligator infested river, a few Scout staves and some ropes, one Scout must get across the river without feeding the alligators!
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I’ve used this game several times on campouts per the Woods Wisdom version. It includes specifying which knots & lashes to use at each location so part of the scoring and completion time includes tying and checking the knots for compliance and quality. Turns it into a fun skills practice as well as the team building aspect. I also like the addition of the third rope to each side. When there are only two each side, it’s hard to maintain stability as well as help with propulsion.
Most definitely going to have to try this!!!!!!!!!! Sounds awesome but…………I wonder what some of my parents would think? Ohhh, well life is an adventure, better live while you can, as life is super short!
Cool!
I now see the way the guy lines are configured in this presentation provide a much better approach to controlling the walker. We’ve always attached four shorter lines at the top of the A-frame serving to keep the Scout crossing the pit aloft as he used his balance and strength to move the “walker. With the three longer lines, the door is opened to a whole new, and I think better, challenge. Much improved! 1) Six Scouts instead of four are required to both keep the A-Frame and Scout from falling, and with the bottom lines, greatly help to power the A-Frame “walker,” which assures a better success rate translating into more fun. 2) I can see this approach working on a tile floor indoors because the bottom lines add so much stability!
One other comment: with a taller A-Frame, I suggest 8′ spars, that top line wouldn’t interfere with the Scout’s body as he’s concentrating on maneuvering the “walker.”
Thanks!
Hi Clarke! This one offers a real team building challenge! Warning: don’t try it indoors on a tile floor! Too slippery! And…it IS a tad more difficult to maneuver than it appears, especially when using full-sized spars to build the “walker.” (My impression is, using Scout staves might be a little too rickety. Let me know if I’m mistaken.) Anyway, here’s a link to: “Crossing the Alligator Pit” with action photos: http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/02/24/indoor-challenge-crossing-the-alligator-pit/
How about putting a rubber crutch cap on two of the staves? That would work on a slippery floor and be a hint about how to solve the problem. Scout staves will work for this.
We normally use well-seasoned 8′ pine spars that are 4″ in diameter at the butt ends (a little too thick for crutch caps). However, I bet tying a long line at the butt ends of both shear legs like your presentation directs would do the trick!