6-year-old expelled over Cub Scout utensil

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The Scouter in me feels constrained to point out that, as excited as this kid was, he wouldn't (or shouldn't) have been allowed to carry that or any other knife at any Scout functions. Before a knife can be carried, the Scout must earn his whittling chip, which is typically earned as a Bear Scout (third grade) and which demonstrates that he knows how to use a knife safely.

Speaking as a Den Leader, I understand that feeling, but the Whittling Chip can be earned at any CS Rank. It just happens to be a requirement of one of 24 Bear Achievements and Bears don't even have to earn it to achieve Rank because they only need to earn 12.

But you are right, a CS cannot carry a pocketknife, including one in a multi-tool, to a designated Scout event without first earning Whittling Chip.

Speaking as a mom, I was a Nervous Nelly when my Den worked on Whittling Chip and never would have attempted it with my Tigers. The first thing my son did when he opened his knife was to cut himself. A bandaid took care of it.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by aopirose

Speaking as a Den Leader, I understand that feeling, but the Whittling Chip can be earned at any CS Rank. It just happens to be a requirement of one of 24 Bear Achievements and Bears don't even have to earn it to achieve Rank because they only need to earn 12.

Right. That's why I said "typically." though perhaps I could have chosen a better word. In my experience, Bear is when a den will do it -- often as the first step toward Bear ("yay, we're old enough to use knives now"). But you're right, it can be earned at any stage.

I'm pretty sure that since this guy had just joined, though, he hadn't earned it yet.

The first thing my son did when he opened his knife was to cut himself.

Yours too, huh?

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Right. That's why I said "typically." though perhaps I could have chosen a better word. In my experience, Bear is when a den will do it -- often as the first step toward Bear ("yay, we're old enough to use knives now"). But you're right, it can be earned at any stage.

I'm pretty sure that since this guy had just joined, though, he hadn't earned it yet.

No, you're good. It is a tradition in our Unit that Bears earn it so that is "typical" for us too. I also agree with you that the Scout in question had probably not earned it yet.

Yours too, huh?

Yeah that was a shining moment until our guest speaker, a Master Decoy Carver, cut himself a few minutes later.