Pioneering Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

BSA has created updated versions of the Troop Program features for Scouts BSA. The Pioneering program feature is available in digital format on the BSA website or can be purchased as a publication from you local Scout Shop.

The Pioneering feature teaches Scouts how to build structures and gadgets using rope, spars, creativity, and knot skills. The program feature includes some general information and some more specific ideas for meetings:

• Learn knots and lashings
• Understand how to care for ropes and spars
• Learn the rules of pioneering safety

Suggested troop meeting ideas are grouped by essential, challenging, or advanced. Here are a few you can see in the guide.

• Learn half hitches and round lashings (essential / challenging)
• Build a flag pole (advanced)
• Practice square lashings (essential / challenging)
• Practice maintaining maximum strain (advanced)
• Make a tripod (essential)
• Make a double tripod (challenging)
• Make a hand washing station (advanced)
• Learn how to tie a butterfly knot and make a rope tackle (essential)
• Learn how to build a 1-1 anchor (challenging)
• Learn how to build a 1-2-3 anchor (advanced)
• Learn how to tie a floor lashing (essential)
• Lash staves with floor lashings (challenging)
• Make a simple camp table (advanced)

There are also several games suggested to keep things interesting at your troop meetings

• A-Frame Chariot Race
• Catch the Snapper
• Crossing the Alligator Pit
• Everyone on the Tripod
• Flagpole Race
• Ladder Building
• Lift Seat Procession
• Reactor Transporter
• Roman Chariot Race
• Scout Stave Launcher
• Self-Standing Flagpole Challenge
• Snake Race

The plan even provides Scoutmaster’s minutes and ceremonies for meetings.

Then there is the “Main Event”. Once again, there are suggestions for essential, challenging, or advanced. Details and planning aids can be found in the online guide.

• Build a camp kitchen (essential)
• Build a Chippewa Kitchen and cook at a public gathering (challenging)
• Hold a Scout Engineering weekend and construct multiple gadgets (advanced)

Find some related helps and achievements for the Pioneering Troop Program Feature below.

Scout Pioneering Website

Larry sent in this helpful suggestion for a site with lots of pioneering projects.

My Favorite Knot Book

This book was recommended a few years ago when I went to Cub Scout BALOO training. I am not a "knot person". I can watch someone do a knot and repeat it, but an hour later it is forgotten.

Program Planning for Scouts BSA

The Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader work together to develop long term plans for a Scouts BSA Troop. One thing which can help with this is the BSA troop program features.

Hand Washing Station Gadget

This is a gadget which was shown to us at a recent Roundtable. It uses lashings to make a handwashing station from straight sticks and an empty gallon milk jug.

Pot and Towel Rack Camp Gadget

These instructions are for a pot and towel drying rack. There is a small picture of a similar gadget in the Scouts BSA handbook.

Snapper Fishing Game

This is a traditional Scout game which might date back to Baden-Powell himself. It practices Scoutcraft (lashings) as well as cooperation and problem solving.

Pioneering Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While working on the Pioneering merit badge, Scouts learn how to build structures with ropes and spars. They explore the uses of various knots and splices. They learn how to care for ropes. Finally they build a structure such as a bridge, tower, chair, or table.

Scouts BSA First Class Tools Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 3 is about knots. Scouts learn to tie a few different types of knots and then use the skill to make something useful.