Whittling Chip - LDS Cub Scout

Letter to Parents
Dear Bear Parents,
As you know, we will be presenting a special class on knife safety starting at 3:00 PM this Saturday March 28. It
will be held at the Bears Den Campground and as part of our campout this weekend. The class is designed to teach
the safe handling and proper care of pocketknives. This will fulfill Bear Achievement 19 – Shavings and Chips and
allow Bear (soon to be Webelos) level boys to earn the Whittling Chip card which is required for any Cub Scout to
carry a pocketknife at Cub Scout functions. The Webelos age boys will have projects where the pocketknives will be
used.
While I am sure some of you may be concerned with the idea of the boys carrying a pocketknife, this program is
designed to teach knife safety. Even if the boys do not earn and get the card the class is important since most boys
will use kitchen and other knives in the future. The actual Whittling Chip card will be given to the boys only with
the parents approval at the end of the class. I have taught this program several times. I have never had any parents
deny the card at the end of the class. We have however had a couple of safety problems after the cards were issued.
It is very important that the boys understand and respect that they have earned this privilege and must follow the
safety guidelines to keep it. Again you will have the final say at the end of the class.
Besides the basic knife safety rules, the boys will learn these additional rules that must be followed.
1. They must have the card in their possession at all times while using a knife.
2. At any time Akela (any adult including parents) can ask for the card and it must be presented or the knife
will be collected and returned to the parent.
3. No knife will be carried on school property at any time even by mistake. Violation of this rule means
permanent loss of the card as well as any punishment from the school.
4. Any injury to another person will result in permanent loss of the card.
5. Any time a safety rule is violated, Akela may tear a corner off the card. Loss of all four corners result in the
loss of the card which must be re-earned by attending and passing another Whittling chip class.
Due to safety concerns, a parent or other adult must attend with each boy. This person will make the decision of
whether or not the card will be issued. The following items should be brought to the class by the parent.
• A pocketknife for both the boy and parent. (Does not have to be new but should be sharp and in good
condition. We can sharpen knives before the class starts if needed)
• Lawn or camping chairs for both the boy and parent (The class will be held outdoors to allow more space
for safety reasons)
I am requiring that each Scout read Achievement 19 on pages 146-151 of the Bear Handbook. This is the Shavings
and Chips Achievement. They should get familiar with all of it but should try their best to start memorizing the
safety rules and the Pocketknife Pledge.
The class will take a full two hours. The boys will have to score 100% on a simple written review test at the end of
the class. This will be the only time I teach this class before the June campout or the boys go to Goshen. I am
willing to do it at Goshen but only if the boys parent is in attendance. If the Scout has not completed this class and
earned his Whittling Chip he may not bring a knife to a Scouting event. If you have any questions about the class,
please call me at (202)355-5856 during the day, at (703)527-4627 in the evening, or by e-mail anytime at
rich@mendelowitz.com.
Thanks everyone!
Rich
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