Re: cubs and pocket knife
Paul S. Wolf (Paul.S.Wolf@ALUM.WPI.EDU)
Fri, 21 Aug 1998 11:46:23 -0400
Linda Markley wrote:
> Ok what is the stand on cubs using knives for whittling chip. I was
> told at camp that it has been BSA policy for 2 years that no cub
> (bears or webelos) can use a knife. How do they fulfill their
> requirements in the book Achievement 19 in Bears (old book) to show
> how to take care of and use a pocketknife, make a carving or to earn
> the whittling chip? Is this true or is this person who told me
> misinformed?
It may be a CAMP rule. Local Councils and/or camps may add to (but not
be more lenient than) the National safety rules.
Otherwise the person is misinformed, as can be seen from the following
information.
1. I don't have a copy of the 1998 Guide to Safe Scouting, but the
earlier version says:
Knives
A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable
backcountry tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath
knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry and unnecessary for most
camp chores except for cleaning fish. Since its inception, Boy
Scouting has relied heavily on an outdoor program to achieve its
objectives. This program meets more of the purposes of Scouting than
any other single feature. We believe we have a duty to instill in our
members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and
store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and
responsibility.
References: Boy Scout Handbook, Bear Cub Scout Book, and Wolf Cub
Scout Book
> Is this change represented in the new version of the Bear book?
2. NO. The requirements, as they appear in the new book can be seen at:
http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/bear.html
and http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/whittlingchip.html
Achievement 19 reads:
19.SHAVINGS AND CHIPS (Page 128)
Do all of the following requirements.
a. Know the safety rules for handling a knife.
b. Show that you know how to take care of and use a pocketknife.
c. Make a carving with a pocketknife. Work with your den leader
or other adult in doing this.
d. Earn the Whittling Chip card.
Req. (c) is revised from the earlier book, but there is little different
except the wording.
3. The Whittling Chip specifically says on the front
"By completing these safety requirements, he has earned the right
to carry (a) pocketknife at Cub Scout functions."
--
Paul S. Wolf, PE mailto:Paul.S.Wolf@alum.wpi.edu
Traffic Engineer, Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office - Cleveland, Ohio
Past President, Great Lakes Region, Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
Winding Rivers Dist. Advancement Comm., Greater Cleveland Council, BSA
Advancement Webmaster, US Scouting Service Project (www.usscouts.org)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
