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!
