Information and Rules for Trebuchet Launching Competition 

The Trebuchet Launching competition will take place at the Archery Range during open activities on the morning of Saturday, June 28.  Individual Webelos or Webelos Dens are invited to build a trebuchet (according to the rules below) and compete to see which trebuchet has most accuracy in hitting a target.

All camp members are invited to watch and cheer on the Webelos!

Rules Borrowed from
2012 METACOMET DISTRICT SPRING CAMPOREE TREBUCHET/
CATAPULT COMPETITION

Objective: As a team, WEBELOS SCOUTS are to build on site a device such as a catapult, or trebuchet or
using scout pioneering and lashing skills or carpentry which will hurl a standard softball a long
distance. (Adult leaders, note the emphasis on “SCOUTS”)
Regulations and Construction Rules (and anything else the judges might think of later):
1. Hurling device may be designed, built and tested prior to the Camporee, but it must arrive at
the Camporee completely
disassembled and then be reassembled upon arrival at the designated site.
2. ****Construction materials may be natural log and limb, store-bought milled dimensional
lumber may be used. HURLING CATAPAULT OR TREBUCHET MUST BE NO TALLER
THAN 7(SEVEN)FEET HIGH locked and ready to fire.... We only have a field worth of length
to throw.. any bigger and we would need a lot more room
3. Log /lumber connections and joints are limited to lashes with rope, chord or string, mortise
and tenon joints or wooden pegs. no mechanical fasteners
4. Trebuchet counter-balance weights and attachment hardware may be of material other than
log or limb like rocks, metal weights,car engines or other heavy stuff. Don’t use the Scouts as a
dead weight device. Their Mom's won’t like that.
5. All equipment and building materials MUST be removed from the site upon departure. You
bring it in, you take it out.
6. Good ol’ Boy Scout muscle power is, of course, allowed as a propulsion device. Use your
football players.
7. The device that actually holds or cradles the softball may be of material other than log, limb or
rope. (like a sack, net
or basket)
8. A triggering device made of metal and metal attachment hardware will be allowed. (You
know, like some kind of gizmo bolted to the
log)
9. For safety reasons, metal pivot axels ARE ALLOWED. However, metal or plastic bearings at
the ends of the axel ARE NOT
ALLOWED.
10. The following methods and materials are also STRICTLY PROHIBITED:
a. Electrical devices of any kind
b. Compressed air or hydraulics
c. Combustion
d. Explosives
e. Coil springs
f. Elastic and rubber-type products
g. Chemicals
h. Anything not within the spirit of fair competition
Safety Requirements:
1. Pre-competition testing of the hurling device may only be done in the designated hurling
range area and under the command and
authority of the judges.
2. Use good sense -- clear the area and stand clear when firing. There’s no tellin’ where the
softballs gonna go. Nobody
wants to get hit with a hurling limb or a flying softball. That’s gonna hurt! BE SAFE!!!
Judging Considerations:
1. ALL DECISIONS BY THE JUDGES ARE FINAL – NO WHINNING, DAG GUMMIT ! – A
SCOUT IS CHEERFUL!!
2. Judges may inspect hurling device materials prior to, during and/or at final assembly.
3. The object to be hurled will be provided by the judges and will consist of a ORANGE
PAINTED SOFTBALL.
4. Each team will have an opportunity for two official competition hurls. Softball used for
practice shots before the actual competition must be supplied by each team. .
5. At a minimum, each team must furnish and attach to the front of their hurling device a simple
cardboard sign identifying their troop
number, team or patrol name and the name of their hurling device if applicable. Judges MIGHT
award extra points to teams for
presentation and enthusiasm (those who proudly name their hurling device and/or promote their
hurler with additional signage,
chants, songs or costumes).
6. Judges MIGHT award extra points for laughter and GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP like cheers of
encouragement and celebration for the
other teams (even if they do blow ya away). Again, be happy! It’s supposed to be fun.
7. A SCOUT IS KIND. Don’t paint the face of the judges on the Softball. They’re sensitive
about that type thing.
Note to Adult Leaders: Remember that this is to be a boy-led competition. Be concerned for
their safety, but let the scouts do the
designing and work within the boundaries and intent of the rules