From: Phil Conroy (pconroy@CADVISION.COM)
Date: Fri Mar 17 2000 - 22:27:28 CST
I'm sorry, it appears that I missed the first part of this discussion, but I
had a first hand involvement in this topic last year.
In my role as a Service Scouter, I received the phone call you never want to
get from the chairman of the Scout Group I service. During a group function
there had been an incident with a knife. I don't need to go into detail
about the incident, but I do want to say that it was not a supervision
issue. The Scout in question had not been taught the proper respect for, and
the use of a knife. The end result is the same though. It is up to the
adults involved in Scouting to ensure that the proper use and care of pocket
knives is taught and adhered to.
We in Scouting (both Scouts Canada and the BSA) have several tools at our
disposal to help. The first is our judgment. As leaders we are able to
determine (with the use of common sense) which youth in our charge should,
and more importantly, should not have a knife. My son has owned a pocket
knife, that was given to him as a gift, since he was six years old. He knows
that school and several other activities he is involved in are not a place
to bring it. By the same token, I have met adults that shouldn't be allowed
near sharp objects.
Another tool is the old "Tote 'N' Chip" cards or permit. This is simple, NO
permit means NO knife. If the Scout looses his permit, he has to prove once
again that he is responsible enough to earn the permit again.
As for the discussion about bringing a knife to school. All I can add is
that, school is not an appropriate place for a pocket knife.
Phil Conroy
Calgary, Alberta
