I want to assure all of you that we are following up on this issue, and that safety is always of the utmost concern. That said, I do also want to point out that Scouting has very clear rules on the use of knives. As such, we will clarify that shortly, so I don't believe that having an email forum amongst the parents on this topic is particularly productive at this time.
In the meantime, let me say that there should be no boy in Pack 14 carrying a knife or using it without adult supervision. This policy is very simple and clear, and please communicate that to your son. A Scout is required to earn an award in order to earn the privilege of carrying a knife. There are several den activities that do knife safety lessons in which Scouts are taught (under supervision) to use a knife and learn the skills to earn that award/privilege. We have historically never filed for that award with the Council, because I am told that it requires a lot of paperwork and is a real hassle. Thus, even when a boy completes his knife safety lessons, we still expect the no-unsupervised-knife rule to stand.
Please call or email me if you have any questions.
On Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 11:39 AM, Maria y Gato <galucan@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Pack 14:
At the Halloween Party there was a bit of a squabble regarding "who was first" in the line for the food and one of the boys took a REAL pocketknife from his pocket, opened it up (so the blade was out) and held it up in front of him, at another boy, apparently in a "threatening" way so he could take that place ahead in line.
Who did it, and who was involved, is not my primary concern (although I do believe it needs to be addressed specifically and individually, in addition to the whole pack). Please note, I do not know who else, if anyone, witnessed this specific incident. Nor am I sure that nothing else occurred with any other pack members. This is all the information I have at this time.
First of all, I am relieved nobody was physically hurt. Now, how we as "leaders/parents and good citizens" seize this incident as an example and opportunity for our children to learn from is the issue. After all, if we don't teach our boys & guide them properly, at every step of the way, then what are we here for? Furthermore, we need to define what the organization CUB/BOY SCOUTS is really all about. Although this incident involved only 2 of the scouts, I believe it is relevant to everyone and warrants the support of the pack on how best to intervene. I request that you consider the situation and the following that I feel are the main issues:
- the misuse of a tool; using a knife as a weapon
- the rules regarding tools at cub scout events, as defined by the Boy Scouts of America Council and defined by Pack 14
- the bullying implied by this behavior (i.e., threatening in order to get something)
How does the pack want to handle this issue?
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