SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY

The Whittling Chip

Kommissioner Karl

The Whittling Chip is a “license” for a Cub or Webelos Scout to use a pocket knife.  In order to earn the Whittling Chip, a scout must undergo proper handling, care and safety instruction with a pocket knife.

Tradition in many councils, districts, and units holds that when a Scout does not follow the safety precautions learned, that 1 to 4 corners of the Whittling Chip card are cut off.  When all 4 corners are gone, the Scout must go through the course again to earn a “new” Whittling chip before he is allowed to carry and use a pocketknife again.  How many corners are removed for each offense is determined by the severity of the offense.  Not checking the area may result in the loss of one corner, where as throwing the knife around a crowd of people may result in the loss of all four.  The card should be carried at all times if the Scout has or will be using a pocket knife.  Although this policy is not written in any official BSA publication, it bring home the point to the Scout that he may lose his privilege if he doesn’t follow the rules.  An adult should not hesitate to stop a Scout who is misusing his pocket knife and instruct him again.  Also, a Whittling Chip card is only for a pocket knife.  It is NOT for axes or saws.

The wording on the Whittling Chip card reads:

In return for the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to designated Cub Scout functions, I agree to the following:

1.        I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.

2.        I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when not in use.

3.        I will not use my pocketknife when it might injure someone near me.

4.        I promise never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.

5.        I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at all times.

The Official BSA Whittling Chip or Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts is a Wallet Card (No. 34223A) and/or Patch (08598)

Here are some Teaching hints for Whittling Chip –

From Mike Bowman, USScouts

One idea that I really liked when I saw it at a PowWow was for the den leader to make up a large pocket knife with folding blades out of cardboard, construction paper or what-have-you. The knife was about two feet long, which made it large enough for all the boys to see when the den leader was explaining safety and how to use the knife.

From Steve Eisenberg.

Your Cub Scout knife is an important tool. You can do many things with its blades. The cutting blade is the one you will use most of the time. With it you can make shavings and chips and carve all kinds of things.
You must be very careful and think when you whittle or carve. Take good care of your knife. Always remember that a knife is a tool, not a toy. Use it with care so that you don't hurt yourself or spoil what you are carving.

Good Things to Remember

Know the safety rules for handling a knife
A knife is a tool, not a toy.
Know how to sharpen a knife. A sharp knife is safer because it is less likely to slip and cut you.
Keep the blade clean.
Never carry an open knife in your hand.
When you are not using a knife, close it and put it away.
Keep your knife dry.
When you are using the cutting blade, do not try to make big shavings or chips.
Easy does it.
Knives are not toys!
Close the blade with the palm of your hand.
A knife should never be used on something that will dull or break it
Be careful that you do not cut yourself or any person nearby.
A knife should never be used to strip the bark from a tree.
Do not carve your initials into anything that does not belong to you.

Test your knowledge

You should close the blade with the palm of your hand
True                                False

A knife is just a toy.
True                                False

It's okay to keep your knife wet.
True                                False

A dull knife is more likely to slip and cut you.
True                                False

You should carry your open knife in your pocket.
True                                False

Carving your initials into a tree is okay.
True                                False

The Pocketknife Pledge (fill in the blanks)

I understand the reason for ______________________ rules.
I will treat my pocketknife with the ______________ _______________________ due a useful tool.
I will always ________________________________ my pocketknife and put it away when not in use.
I will not use my pocketknife when it might   _______________________ someone near me.
I __________________________ never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.
I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at _______________________times.

Word bank - Close, respect, injure, promise, all, safety,

Cub Scouter Award

Kommissioner Karl

The Cub Scouter Award can be earned by any registered Cub Leader.  This is the only knot that can be earned by Assistant Cubmasters, Assistant Den Leaders, Chartered Organization Representatives and Members of the Committee.  In addition, many Cubmasters and Den Leaders qualify for this award if they lead their den for four or five of their Tiger, Cub and Webelos years, or lead the pack for two years beyond the two years required for the Cubmaster Award.  The requirements are similar to other training awards, and include: 

Training:              Fast Start, any Cub Leader position, and Youth Protection Training;

Tenure:                 Two years (service in one position to earn a training award cannot be used to earn any other award, so if a Den Leader applies for the Den Leader Training Award their first year, their bear year as Den Leader could be used as one year toward the Cub Scouter Award);

Performance:       Five of the ten listed unit program measures listed on the award progress record, which include leading programs such as the Pinewood, service projects, training and quality unit award. 

The progress record may be printed from:  http://www.cornhuskercouncil.org/resources/forms/CubScouterAward_2001.pdf

Kommissioner Karl is a regular contributor to Baloo. 

Thank You  CD