On Monday, February 9th, the Bears and Webelos began their annual Knife Safety training. This class is designed to teach knife safety and additional rules that must be followed. While this is a requirement for Bears, the pack requires Webelos scouts to take the training each year as well.
Our program takes 2-3 hours depending on the attentiveness and behavior of the boys. We start with an introduction to various bladed items, teach them the differences, and validity of their usage. We then cover a series of safety requirements, administer a short test, and if they pass they will practice carving apples and soap.
- For Bears this course will complete Bear Achievement 19: Shavings and Chips and allow your Bear to earn his Whittling Chip Card.
- For new Webelos this isn’t a requirement for rank but the training is required to allow your Webelos to earn his Whittling Chip Card.
- For returning Webelos who have already earned their Whittling Chip Card, this training is required by the pack in order to upkeep the privilege of the whittling chip.
We may or may not have activities that allow the use of a pocketknife and having a whittling chip card is a requirement to participate in such activities.
That said, the scouts were handed a letter, a permission slip with the safety rules, a homework sheet, as well as a copy of safety rules and care tips they can keep. Your scout must sign the permissions slip to acknowledge the rules, and a parent or guardian must also sign the slip acknowledging the rules and giving the scout permission to participate and earn his whittling chip. This slip along with the homework sheet *MUST* be turned in on Monday February 16th. Without these, your scout cannot earn his whittling chip.
On Friday, February 20th, the scouts are invited to spend the night working on scout skills. We will be making tie dye T-shirts and paraffin fire starters for the 
