Rapid build pioneering involves building unlikely structures with
garden canes and rubber bands plus a few odds and ends. Presented in
the right way it is an activity that encourages practical skills, thinking
and teamwork. More importantly it is good fun. Never underestimate
the importance of fun! It is a good starting point for people who want
to learn main line pioneering.
The equipment is not expensive and is readily available. The list
given below is a good starting point for a patrol size group if you
run guides or scouts, six to eight people if you run anything else.
If you are working with several patrols you will need to multiply this
list by the appropriate number.
- 10 1.2m (48") canes
- 5 0.6m (24") canes
- 1 desert spoon
- 6 tent skewers (only for outdoor projects)
- 5 to 8 metres of string wound on a cardboard tube
- A few short pieces of string
- 1 small hook that can be attached to the long length of string
- 1 or 2 plastic curtain rings
- 4 to 6 small balls about 40mm (1.6") in diameter
- 1 unbreakable mug or small jug
- 24 number 65 rubber bands
The ends of the canes are best protected with a turn or two of insulating
tape; I use bright colours rather than black. It adds a bit of colour
to the projects. If the canes have to be cut to length remove any splinters
with glass-paper or a file. The rubber bands are best stored in an
airtight tin. The tins sold for pencils are about the right size. Whatever
containers you use remember that the life of rubber bands will be reduced
by excessive exposure to sunlight. If you are preparing several sets
of equipment the easiest way to count the rubber bands is by weight,
24 number 65 bands weighs approximately 28g (1oz). Always unknot all
the bands at the end of a session. If knots are left in the bands they
will be come permanent after a few weeks.
Some projects require a length of rope to mark off a firing line or
a boundary to an area.that the teams must not enter. Plastic document
pouches are useful for instructions or sketches that you give the teams.
I always set the project for the patrol leaders and leave them to explain
it to their patrol so some sketches or notes can help them.
You can be flexible about the exact list of equipment. The sizes given
are approximate. Be inventive, use things that you find. My set of
equipment includes some large gold plastic bells that a local shop
used in its christmas decorations. These make good objects to be picked
up by an improvised crane.
I am only making a few basic suggestions for actual projects because
you will need to tailor the projects to meet the requirements of a
particular group. A lot of standard pioneering projects can be adapted
to rapid building with some adjustment for the smaller size and lower
strength of the materials that you are using. Bridge building is a
non-starter! Unless, of course, you are using the method as a model
making exercise to evaluate a project that the group is going to build
full size at a future date. In many ways the presentation of the projects
is the most important thing to get right. For most groups presenting
a problem that needs solving can be a good way of introducing this
type of activity. Project 1, below, is a possible problem. Before you
set anyone on any of the projects it is best to carry out some private
experiments to make certain you can make the things work. It is very
good for your standing as leader if you can solve the problems that
you set, but remember you do this after your group is stuck on a problem.
You must learn when to stand back and allow your charges to apply their
skills to the problem. If you haven't carried out this kind of
project you may be very surprised at the inventiveness of your group.
Their solution may be very different from the one you were expecting.
Learn when to offer hints or suggestions and when to give the group
time to think and make their own mistakes. If, as is likely, you share
running the organization with other leaders make sure that they understand
the idea of minimum interference and maximum encouragement. They will
be needed to help clear up at the end!
Project 1
Coming soon.
Project 2
Build a ballista. This is a medieval catapult. A sketch of a basic
design is useful but stress that the teams do not have to stick to
this design. Mark out a firing line that the teams must stay behind.
Compete for the longest shot or the most accurate.
Project 3
The aim is to build the tallest self supporting structure to support
a small object above the ground. Pick a soft light object as someone
may get it dropped on their head.
Give these a try then think up your own projects.If you have any questions
email me.