Posted on 09/07/2009 6:29:09 AM PDT by Daffynition
New advice published in Scouting, the official in-house magazine, says neither Scouts nor their parents should bring penknives to camp except in "specific" situations.
Scouts have traditionally been taught how to use knives correctly, using them on camping trips to cut firewood or carve tools.
At one point Scouts were allowed to carry a sheath knife on their belt as part of their uniform although this is no longer the case. In recent years the Scout Association guidance has been that parents should carry knives to camps or meetings.
Dave Budd, a knife-maker who runs courses training Scouts about the safe use of blades, wrote that the growing problem of knife crime meant action had to be taken.
"Sadly, there is now confusion about when a Scout is allowed to carry a knife," he wrote. "The series of high-profile fatal stabbings [has] highlighted a growing knife culture in the UK.
"I think it is safest to assume that knives of any sort should not be carried by anybody to a Scout meeting or camp, unless there is likely to be a specific need for one. In that case, they should be kept by the Scout leaders and handed out as required."
Troops leaders however have said the decision is "very sad". Sheila Burgin, from 4th Sevenoaks Scout Group in Kent, said: "Scouts by law are allowed to have Swiss army knives. I think this is going too far you just dont know when a Scout will need a knife.
"It is also suggested that the leader keeps control of the knives when they go camping, but I think that is completely wrong. The first Scout Law is 'The Scout is to be trusted'. Scouts love having knives and using them properly. There is nothing wrong with it."
Miss Burgin, who offers lessons in carving using penknives, added: "If you teach children to use a knife properly they wont abuse it. If someone wants to cause harm they will do it anyway. It is a real shame it has come to this."
A Scouts spokesman said: "We believe that young people need more places to go after school and at weekends, where they can experience adventure without the threat of violence or bullying and the need to carry weapons.
"Scouting helps to prepare young people with valuable life skills, while keeping them safe by not carrying knives."
Meanwhile a school has banned giving out goldfish as prizes at its fetes after it was criticised by animal welfare societies.
John Porteous, the headteacher of Turton School, in Bromley Cross, near Bolton, Greater Manchester, has pledged that they will not hand out goldfish as prizes after coming under fire from the Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) and RSPCA.
Oh the horror!! :0
The day before Christmas, i was at the checkout at Walgreen. The clerk asked if I needed any last minute batteries. I looked at her and said “I’ve got four kids and none of them are getting stuff that needs batteries. In fact, I bought my boys knives and guns for Christmas.”
I got the full hands on hips, eye roll, suck in the breath and “you should be ashamed of yourself” treatment.
I explained that it was my duty as a father to teach my kids the proper safe use of such tools. She backed off rather quickly and actually agreed with me.
Time for a new poster.
LEADERSHIP
Sucking the fun out of everything.
What exactly is the number of Boy Scouts involved in these attacks?
I have a feeling the number is zero.
Sounds like a fine woman. I am sure you taught the lads well.
I pray you’re right friend ... the remnant of which you are a part and your brother hold-outs in America are all that’s left of the once mighty anglo-american alliance.
My 6 & 4 year old grand kids’ guns need batteries for the laser sights.
Your post got me wondering about the girl scouts here in the US, so I googled them up. Turns out they’ve really nothing to do with scouting anymore. Instead, they look like they’ve been an experimental ground for Obama’s brown shirts. All kinds of fake ‘journeys’ that have to do with activism to make this sorry country of ours a better place.
Or how about this, the YWCA in May voted with 91% approval to make this their new mission statement:
“YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”
You’re probably right.
And if someone is cut/injured, isn’t it part of scouting to treat injuries and learn emergency aid in difficult situations? Geesh.
Unless the scouts are committing the acts of knife violence, how can banning them from carrying knives stop the violence?
I was not a scout but I have carried a pocket knife since I was six. My dad carries one. My mom carries one.
A pocket knife is a useful tool.
No Walky-talkys?
(Do they even still make those?)
Ouch. This brings back painful memories from Boy Scouts. That is, our particularly hardcore group of scoutmasters had a profoundly effective way of stimulating boys to advance in the ranks on field trips.
The youngest ones would be whittling with pocket knives, and so soon learned the value of good steel compared to the pot metal typically used in cheap blades. Their “graduation” to a sheath knife actually meant something. From there, the big push was to First Class, where they would use hatchets and axes. A lot.
Life rank Scouts finally hit it big by “getting” to use chainsaws. Clearing and harvesting cords of mesquite wood to raise money for the troop. A long weekend of harvesting wood could pay for the much of the rest of the year’s activities.
And a lot of sore muscles. But it was worth it.
Liberalspeak for “I” know what is good you.
Good good memories. I remember dad never ventured off a road without his sheath knife and Colt Woodsman.
I hope somewhere, somehow, scoutmasters are continuing and passing down this knowledge. Gutting and skinning animals, comes to mind too.
Next, Scouting will be keeping them safe by not letting them carry pointy sticks or dangerous strings (which could, of course, be used as a garrote). Soon belts, neckerchiefs, and laced shoes will be removed from the uniform. And heavy hiking boots could be thrown, so Scouts will be restricted to thongs (flip-flops) and trainers less than a given weight. Most other Boy Scout kit will need to go as well, that being heavy, hard, pointy, or loud. The British Boy Scouts will become the Girl Scouts... but then what's to be done about needlepoint?
Lord Baden-Powell must be spinning in his grave.
Also, we must never let the secret of fire-making be propagated amonst the masses lest we lose rich eco-systems to man’s unquenchable lust for warmth and roasted weiners. Instead, scouts will spend more time indoors knitting plush baby dolls (with blunt knitting needles) that they can pretend to nurse in sympathy to the matriarchal ideal.
King of the Hill had an episode about the pussification of outdoor boys clubs, it was pretty classic.
Freegards
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