The Red Rope Challenge

redrope The Red Rope Challenge is to tie 14 knots in under one minute.  Impossible, you say? Not with the help of the Scouts and Scouters who have already earned their red rope. The test for the challenge is done in front of the troop and judged by an existing Red Roper.  The challenge is open to all Scouts and Scouters, and may be repeated as many times as it takes to pass, one time per meeting.

How it works:

Scouts and Scouters interested in meeting the challenge may check out a blue training rope from Mr. Remley.  This rope is to be returned to the troop when the red rope is earned, or when the challenger ceases to work towards the challenge.   As long as there is continued effort to meet the challenge, the blue rope may be kept.  Failure to return the rope when requested will result in a $10 replacement fee.

The challenge requires not only knowledge of the 14 knots, but also the technique and skill to quickly transition from one knot to the next.  Red Ropers will conduct periodic training sessions for those interested at troop meetings and outings. Once the Red Rope is earned, the challenger will become an instructor.  He will also wear his Red Rope as part of his uniform.

Note the Red Rope Challenge is an individual challenge, and not a competition.  It is not important to do it faster than another Scout – just under one minute! Click on the image below for the list of 14 knots:

RedRopeSm   In addition to instructing Scouts, Red Ropers who are interested in an even tougher challenge may attempt the  Black Rope Challenge, where the challenger must be able to identify and tie 40 knots and 4 lashings in front of two qualified judges.

“Every Scout should be able to tie a knot. To tie a knot seems to be a simple thing, and  yet there are right and wrong ways of doing it, and Scouts ought to know the right way.  Very often it may happen that lives depend on a knot being properly tied.”

“The right kind of knot to tie is one that you can be certain will hold under any amount of  strain, and which you can always undo easily if you wish to. A bad knot is one which  slips away when a hard pull comes on it, or which gets jammed so tight that you cannot  untie it.”  Lord Baden-Powell

 

Video Red Rope Lessons from Red-Roper Matthew

 

Lesson 1: Demonstration and Knots 1 and 2:

Lesson 2: Knots 3, 4, and 5:

Lesson 3: Knots 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10:

Lesson 4: Knots 11, 12, 13 and 14: