During the summer holidays we still try to have Meetings most weeks. They are usually informal Meetings, with no uniform and no inspection. Since we don't have to go to school next day they are longer than usual, and we can do things that we wouldn't have time to do during a normal weekly Meeting. And we try to be outdoors most of the time.

One thing we did in the summer was make catapults and had a battle.

We made the catapults using broomsticks, and proper catapult elastic. First we had to learn how to tie the broomsticks together. We used Japanese square lashings, because they are easier than normal square lashings and work better with broomsticks and sisal.
	The important thing about square lashings is that they have to be tied very tight, so that they don't come apart in the middle of the battle!
This is what the catapult has to look like. A Leader checked that we'd got the elastic tied on securely . . . .
	. . . and then each group took up position in it's "fort" - a chalk circle marked on the ground. We scored points by firing into the forts of the other groups.
For ammunition we used sponge balls soaked in water. They had to be soaked in water to make them fly properly, of course!
	Aim, and fire!
Don't worry about sitting in the puddle of water, to aim your catapult. Your Mum doesn't mind having a bit more washing to do!
	If your lashings were not reallytight, your catapult might start to come apart and you'll end up having to hold it together!
But I think we've won. At least, we're not quite as wet as the others!