Armed, but not dangerous

Our scouts recently completed their Whittling Chip under the instruction of Tom Z! The Whittling Chip, when signed by a leader and the scout, certifies a scout to bring a pocketknife to scout-sponsored events and activities (but never to school!). Putting their new knowledge to practice, the scouts carved soap-bars with plastic knives (practice, remember), creating replicas of animals, boats, and even countries!

Knives Are Not Toys!

Here's a recap of the rules of knife use in the Cub-Scouts:

• Close the blade with the palm of your hand.
• Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.
• Be careful that you do not cut yourself or any person nearby.
• Never use a knife to strip the bark from a tree.
• Do not carve your initials into anything that does not belong to you.

In order to obtain the Whittling Chip, each scout also completed a quiz based on the Cub Scout Pocketknife Pledge:

POCKETKNIFE PLEDGE

• I understand the reason for safety rules.
• I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.
• I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when I'm not using it.
• I will not use my pocketknife when it might injure someone near me.
• I promise never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.
• I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at all times.

Thus prepared, our scouts were able to receive their Pinewood Derby cars! Let the construction begin!