TROOP 708
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
The purpose of the Knotmaster Program is to encourage scouts to learn the uses, classifications and, of course, how to tie knots commonly used in scouting. The scout earns a colored rope to signify his mastery of the knots required at a particular level. To earn a rope, the scout must be “tested” (see description of the test, below) by a Troop Knotmaster or Scout Knotmaster. Every scout begins by testing to earn his pink rope. Then, only one level can be advanced per scout meeting or event. On campouts, a scout can advance one level per day.
Knotmaster Program
To advance to the next level, a scout must request to be tested by a Knotmaster (purple or green rope). For each knot tied, the scout must be able to tie the knot within two attempts, state the type of knot (i.e. joining, slip, rescue, etc.) and give one or more examples of how the knot should be used. The knots are not useful unless the scout knows how to use them!
Testing
Displaying your Rope
The purpose of the Knotmaster Program is to encourage scouts to learn the uses, classifications and, of course, how to tie knots commonly used in scouting. The scout earns a colored rope to signify his mastery of the knots required at a particular level. To earn a rope, the scout must be “tested” (see description of the test, below) by a Troop Knotmaster or Scout Knotmaster. Every scout begins by testing to earn his pink rope. Then, only ONE level can be advanced per scout meeting or event. On campouts, a scout can advance ONE level per day.
If a scout forgets to wear his rope to a meeting or other scouting activity, he will be given a pink rope to wear for that scout event. The pink rope group might be assigned “special” duties for the event such as clean-up detail, latrine duty, etc. If a scout loses his rope, it may be replaced for a fee of fifty cents, but only after the scout has tied all of the knots for his level.
Lost or Forgotten Ropes
A scout can be challenged by any other scout at the same level or able to tie any knot required for his level. Only the Scout Knotmaster (green rope) and Knotmaster Mentor (red rope) levels are exempt from challenge. When a challenge is issued, the challenger must pick a Knotmaster (purple, green or red rope) to judge the challenge. From that point, the following procedure is used:
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1. The challenger names the knot to be tied by the challenger.
2. The challenged scout has up to two opportunities to tie the knot.
3. The judge will inspect the knot and decide if it was tied correctly.
4. If the challenged scout fails to tie the knot correctly, his rope will be taken and replaced with a pink rope*.
5. The challenger must also be able to tie the knot and steps 3 and 4 are followed for the challenger as well.
At the next opportunity for testing, a scout who failed a change knot may test up to the level of rope that he had previously lost. If successful, he would exchange his pink rope for the rope lost in the challenge.
The Challenge