Collected and Edited by David Frydenlund (last revised in 2013)
Shooting/Throwing
Throwing Sticks/Boomerangs
A series of small targets are set up at a range appropriate to the age of the Scouts. Close large targets are assigned low scores. Small and distant targets are assigned high scores. Each Scout is allowed five throws. His score is the sum of the targets hit (knocked over). No target can be hit twice for score by the same Scout. The Patrol score is an average of the Scout scores. High score wins.
In a variation, two targets are placed for each Scout. One close and one far. The entire Patrol throws at the same time and the event is timed from commence throwing until the last target is down. Lowest time wins. This variation can use a very large number of throwing sticks. To reduce the logistics, when all available sticks are thrown, the clock can be stopped to recover the sticks.
The ideal throwing stick is roughly one inch in diameter and slightly longer than the forearm. Curved or straight is hotly debated and a matter of personal taste. Some competitions provide all the sticks. Some require the Scouts to fashion and bring their own. Some provide house sticks and allow Scouts to bring their own if they desire. In general, sticks thrown horizontally are more effective than sticks thrown vertically.
Spears
This event involves throwing spears at targets. Today's youth have very low skills for this sort of event. Generally this event comes in two main forms. In one, targets are set up at various distances and the Patrol throws blunt spears in an attempt to knock them down. The size and range of the targets is a function of the age of the Scouts. In the other main form spears are thrown at a target with scoring rings or squares and score is aggregated according to hits. Sometimes two liter or one gallon bottles are hung in trees and used as targets.
The event is greatly different if spears are provided by the staff as opposed to having each Scout fashion one or two spears for himself.
This can also be a very educational event if the spears were thrown with a throwing board like an atlatl or woomera.
Range Walk
Ten medium cans are hung along the side of a trail at various heights and various distances from the edge of the trail. Each Scout is equipped with a BB gun and allowed to fire ten shots. A Scout may fire more than once at a target except that he may not fire a second time at a target he has already hit. He scores one point for each target hit. He has five minutes to complete the walk. He may fire from any safe firing position. He may not leave the trail. It is a one way walk..He may not go back to look for missed targets. Patrol score is the average of the Scout scores. High score wins.
Bull Whips
This event could be done with real or with fake bull whips. The object is to use a ten foot whip to hit appropriate targets. Balloons make good targets. Knocking rubber rats off a log is also fun. Scoring is generally based on how many hits/successes a Scout has in ten tries. The Patrol score is the average of Scout scores.
Note that bull whips are not toys. Considerable damage can be done to the body and eyes by carelessly handled whips. A quick, cheap substitute for whip is to use paracord attached to a handle. Take a one inch dowel about 10 to 14 inches long. Drill a hole about ½ inch from the end, pass the paracord through and tie it off. Run out about ten feed of cord and finish with an overhand or figure eight to add a little weight. You can add a fall and a tail if you like but for this event they are unnecessary. There are plans for braided paracord whips on the net if you want to make something more pleasing to the eye.
Rifle Shooting
Conducted in accord with local rules.
Archery
Conducted in accord with local rules.
Tomahawks
Conducted in accord with local customs and rules.
Knife Throwing
Conducted in accord with local customs and rules.