Guidon - South Carolina Boys Ministries

Guidon

Specifications

Mast: Mast shall be a wood pole no less than one inch (1”) in diameter, and no more than two inches in diameter. The Mast must not exceed five feet (5”) in length, and shall not be less than three feet, six inches in length. It may be cut from a living tree and in a “natural” condition, with only extraneous limbs cut away. While the “natural” condition is preferred, the mast may also be made from dowel if the same dimensions.

Upper Support Arm: Upper support shall be a wood pole no less than three quarters of an inch (¾”) in diameter, and no more than one and one quarter inch (1 ¼”) in diameter. It shall be no less than eighteen inches (18”) long, and no more than twenty-six inches (26”) long. It shall be lashed to the Mast using either string or leather. The upper support arm shall be centered on the mast, and positioned no less than two inches (2”) from the top of the mast, and no lower than six inches (6”) from the top of the mast.

Lower Support Arm: Lower support shall be made the same material and dimensions as the Upper Support Arm. However, it shall be centered on the mast, and positioned so as to accommodate the lower edge of the flag material. It shall be lashed to the mast using either string or leather.

Flag: The flag shall made be of canvas. The canvas shall be no more than twenty-four inches (24”) wide, and not less than sixteen inches (16”) wide. The maximum length of canvas shall be twenty inches (20”) and the minimum length of fourteen inches (14”). The flag should be attached at the four corners to the upper and lower support arms with string or leather.

Mascot: Units may choose their own mascot to represent their group. The mascot should represent the unit in such a manner that it promotes unit pride and cohesiveness. Please note that the Pioneers for Christ emblem, and the Roman Soldier are reserved for official use by State and International Offices only, and may not be used on unit guidons except as secondary markings.

Unit Identification: Flags should identify each unit by displaying the unit name, and the name of the church the unit represents.

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Pioneers for Christ

Guidon Construction Suggestions

Below is a list of suggestions and supplies to help in the construction of a unit guidon. Please refer to the guideline sheet for guidon specifications. For convenience, estimated costs of these items are also listed.

Staff and Support Arms:

“Natural” Cut*: These may be made from a sapling that is within the dimensions found on the specifications sheet. Any church member who resides in a rural area may be willing to donate these items.

Dowel: ¾” x 36” may be used for support arms.

Cost: $1.72 (Lumber Sales) $.92 (Discount Store)

Fir Full Round Molding (or wooden “closet rod”)

Cost: $.88 per running foot (Lumber Sales) Not Available (Discount Stores)

Lashing:

Square lashing is preferred to connect supporting components together. Square lashing is described in the “Boy Scout Handbook.” (Robert C. Birkby, Boy Scouts of America, Tenth Edition, pp 150, 151, copyright 1990, Irving, TX.) Another great resource for knot tying examples is www.mistral.co.uk/42brghtn/knots/index.html.

Jute Twine*: 190 foot roll

Cost: $ .98 (Lumber Sales) $1.27 (Discount Store)

Sisal Twine*: 300 to525 foot roll

Cost: $1.49 (Lumber Sales) $2.17 (Discount Store)

Nylon #36: 230 foot roll

Cost: $2.53 (Lumber Sales) $1.97 (Discount Store)

Flag: Flag may be constructed of either artist’s canvas or from “duck cloth” canvas.

Duck Cloth per yard

Cost: $6.99 (Fabric Store) $4.44 (Discount Store)

Artist’s Canvas

Cost: $1.99

Graphics: Graphics may be computer generated or imagination generated. Hand painted is preferred.

Craft Paints

Cost: $.44/bottle, to $1.77/bottle (Discount Store)

If you have more questions about assembling your unit’s guidon, please contact the State Office.

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