Misc.

Assorted construction projects

 

Camera Lashing - how to attach a camera to a tripod using sisal cord.

 

Obstacle Course - instructions and drawings for a simple obstacle course suited to use by Cubs or the general public

 

Pioneered Hedgehog - photograph of a giant hedgehog built by scouts on a summer camp in Israel

Catapults, Trebuchets and Ballistas

Scout constructed siege engines- catapults, trebuchets etc.

 

Simple scout trebuchet

 

Release timing - optimum sling release point on a trebuchet

William Gurstelle's Trebuchet book at Amazon.com.

 

Ballistic weapons are potentially dangerous. Some of these projects can fire projectiles hundreds of feet. Ensure that safety procedures are followed at all times- make sure your firing range is clear and that the projectiles used are not likely to cause damage (water balloons or flour bombs are recommended)

 

Tree houses

Treehouse construction and tips

 

Step-By-Step treehouse : day by day log of a 7m (21ft) high treehouse.

Masts and Towers

Vertical structures- Masts, flagpoles, towers etc.

 

Skylon Mast - diamond-shaped mast

Tensegrity tower - A tower made of many small poles-none of which are touching each other

How to put up an hourglass tower? - 2 different methods fro erecting an hourglass tower

Rafts

Water activities and pioneered rafts:

 

Floating Campfire - Photographs and drawings of a floating campfire raft

Kontiki - Background about the expedition and the annual South African Scouting events

Kontiki 2006 - Report back with photographs of our troop's entry

Rafts at Kontiki 2006 - Rafts on the water at Kontiki 2006

Pontoon Ferry - A cable ferry to cross a river using an oil drum raft

Outrigger style lightweight racing raft- Trimaran 5-man raft

Pencil Raft - Another lightweight racing raft

2 Barrel Camel Raft - The simplest possible oil drum raft?

Raft Building Tips:

3 Measurements -important dimensions to keep in mind.

Anchors -details about attaching anchors and a simple anchor design.

Manoeuvring a raft -Rowing,Paddling,Wheeling,Sailing,Punting.

Camp Gadgets

Camping Gadgets and general small pioneering projects

 

Coffee Table and Camp Chairs

Camp Couch

Portcullis Gateway

Camp Wheelbarrow

One-rope table

Kitchen table

Zen Garden

Learn SketchUp

SketchUp is a free 3d modelling program by Google. The computer models on this site are made with the pro version of this program.

Some lessons for SketchUp, concentrating on Scout pioneering:

SketchUp Basics - Introduction to SketchUp- modelling a tripod

Scouting models - Download SketchUp models of projects featured on this site

Modelling lashings in SketchUp - Tutorial for making simple square and tripod lashings for your pioneering models in SketchUp.

There are a few resources you can look at for more help:
-Print out the quick reference card (for PC or Mac) and keep it next to your computer all the time.
-Watch the video tutorials if you have broadband- this is the BEST way to learn SketchUp.
-Check out the self-paced tutorials that come with SketchUp.
-SketchUcation is a website with more advanced tutorials, a good place to learn some nice tricks, especially if you want to be able to work QUICKLY in SketchUp.
-Finally, join up at the Google SketchUp official forums