BOY SCOUTS SHOW OFF SKILLS AT ARENA PARK; BOY SCOUTS HOLD PIONEER SHOW AND DO ON SATURDAY

Many people have forgotten what a semaphore is, and most never knew how monkey bridges were used, but area Boy Scouts displayed their knowledge of both during an event Saturday.

About 70 Shawnee District Boy Scouts displayed their building and teamwork skills during Pioneering Show and Do Day at Arena Park. Scouts, age 11 to 17, spent the day working with knots and lashings as members of the community and adult Scouters looked on.

Although small cooking spits and rabbit catchers were on display, most Scouts spent the day building monkey bridges, signal towers and assorted other items from wood and rope that could be used for survival.

"Monkey bridges are temporary structures used to cross creeks," said Art Woods, Show and Do committee chairman. "Signal towers were once used by semaphores for communication across large spans, or to provide as a lookout for aquatic activities. This is a chance for troops to get together and try out their lashings and knots skills for the community."

Scouters, or adult troop leaders, judged the work and gave troop and patrol awards. Many activities required more than one person to complete, which helped Scouts develop teamwork and leadership skills.

"We're learning a lot about problem-solving," said Blake Rhodes, 16, from Marble Hill Troop 24. "What they're really trying to get you to do is work together."

Scouts displayed their knowledge of a variety of knots during the exercises. They said the knowledge they displayed at the event would help them later in life, because knots can be used to perform functions or to save lives.

"Tying knots and making lashings is important, because you might need to know how to tie a clothesline," said Nick Todd, 14, of Jackson Troop 11. "And if you need to tie a bowline (a rescue knot that does not slip) so you can save somebody, you can."