User:Gaby680/Pioneering (scouting)

History

Pioneering was initially adopted into the structure of the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who was influenced by the Sons of Daniel Boone. Daniel Beard, the founder of the Sons of Daniel Boone, founded his organization to keep the pioneer spirit alive after the closing of the American frontier in 1890. Daniel Beard later became a founding member of the Boy Scouts of America upon its inception in 1910. Baden-Powell kept the pioneer spirit teachings of the Sons of Daniel Boone as a way to instill structure and honor the tradition of the American frontier.

Girl Scouts/ Guides and Pioneering

Multi-use table built by Girl Scouts using two quad pods, braces, and table and benches constructed with floor lashings.

Both the Girl Guides Association in England and the Girl Scouts of America similarly adopted pioneering as a skill-building activity in their program upon its inception. The Girl Guides Association in England was founded in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell, for help starting an organization similar to his Boy Scouts, for girls. In the same spirit, Juliette Gordon Lowe, a friend of the Baden-Powell's, founded the Girl Scouts of America shortly thereafter in 1912. Both of these programs, modeled after the original spirit of the Boy Scouts of America, adopted its emphasis on pioneering as well.

Basic lashings

Square lashing binding two poles crossing at 90 degrees

Pioneering uses these basic lashings as a foundation upon which to build. Using these key lashings, countless pioneering projects can be created.

A compost pile fence assembled using square lashings

• Square lashing: Bind poles that cross each other at any angle from 45° to 90°
• Diagonal lashing: Secures two spars at the point in which they cross, but do not touch
• Round lashing: Used to join two poles lying down flat in a straight line
• Sheer lashing: (also spelled Shear Lashing) Joins two poles in a scissors shape, to be spread out, most often to form the legs of an A-frame
• Floor lashing: Secures poles lying down in a straight line to form a deck or a "floor."
• Tripod lashing: Wraps around all three poles and, then, the gaps in between each pole to secure the tripod upon erection.

Basic Pioneering structures

These basic structures are the building blocks for a number of pioneering projects. They provide the foundational support for almost all structures.

• A-Frame: Forms the basis of many tower structures. A-frames are constructed using a round lashing for the two poles forming the "A" and a horizontal pole across to maintain stability. The horizontal pole of the A-frame also makes a convenient springing point for a deck to form a table-top. Tied using either diagonal or square lashings.
• Trestle: Forms the modular element for building bridges and towers. Also used as a 'chariot' for inter-patrol Boy Scout chariot races. Tied using diagonal and/or square lashings.
• Tripod: Forms a sturdy and versatile base for pioneering projects. To secure the structure, cross braces are usually attached to the legs of the tripods. Tied using a tripod lashing.

  

  Basic Pioneering structures: (L to R) The A-frame, Trestle and Tripod