The Survival Knot You'll Actually Use | The Woodsman Hut | Forums

There are 10 I believe:

1. Bowline
2. Tautline Hitch
3. 2 Half Hitches
4. Square Knot
5. Overhand Knot
6. Figure 8 Knot
7. Lark's Head
8. Sheet Shank
9. Clove Hitch
10. Timber Hitch

With knots, it's use it or lose it.  And unfortunately, most scouts lose their ability to do knots and lashings.  Part of that also goes back to the way BSA works.  Once a boy has learned something and achieved rank/award for it, you're no longer allowed to test/quiz them on it.  An example is that one of the first things they need to know/learn is the square knot.  It's often referred to as a "joining knot".  Well when a scout is going for his next rank (Tenderfoot), the scoutmaster isn't allowed to test the scout on the square knot.  And you'd be amazed at how many scouts don't know their knots.

KVR said
that seems kind of weird

I see both sides of it.  You don't want to hold a boy back because of some obscure merit badge requirement that he's long since forgotten, but something as basic as knots or fire starting should persist throughout the program.   And it would be easy enough to do, as they could just include some previous requirements with the next level requirements.  Scout rank would be square knot, Tenderfoot would be square knot and bowline, Second Class would be square knot, bowline and taut line hitch etc.

Also every Troop has it's own personality and things are only important if it's important to the leadership (youth and adult).