Bear Claws Adventure

Adventure Goal: Learn use, care, and safety for knives.

Adventure Requirements:
Complete the following requirements.

1. Learn about three common designs of pocketknives.
2. Learn knife safety and earn your Whittling Chip.*
3. Do one of the following:
   1. Using a pocketknife, carve two items.
   2. With a pocket knife, safely perform each of these tasks:
      (1) Demonstrate how to cut a piece of rope, twine or fishing line; (2) Open a sealed box without damaging the contents; (3) Open a can with a can opener tool on a pocket knife; (4) Remove and replace the screws on an object with the screw driver tool on a pocket knife; (5) Open a letter.

Ideas for Adventure Requirements:

1. JackKnife, PenKnife, MultiPurpose Knife are all described in the Bear Handbook.
2. Doing a slow, thorough job of presenting and practicing all the Whittling Chip information and skills is crucial. This should take longer than one den meeting.
3. Scouts can practice with soap and a plastic knife, but a real knife is supposed to be used to do this carving.

Den Meeting Ideas for Claws Adventure:

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Comments:
 

Sep 12, 2016 - Jim Hectorne

Hi. My name is Jim Hectorne, and I am the Bear Leader in our pack. Before I begin with the Bear Claws adventure, I was wondering if there is a set curriculum anywhere that I could get a copy of, or if I should just use my knowledge and the Bear handbook. I know there is a test the boys must take, but I was interested in some kind of outlined program.

Thanks.

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Sep 13, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Jim - Yes, the Bear Den Leader Guide is a resource every Bear den leader should have and you can get it at your local scout shop or scoutstuff.org.  It gives den meeting plans for every adventure.   The Bear Claws adventure starts on page 33.

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Mar 29, 2017 - Teisha M Combes

Tonight I had the honor reviewing the rules of use of a pocket knife  with some very excited wolf cubs. After such, outside laden with a trusty bar of ivory soap  and various types of pocket knives ,safe distance to prevent injury to another... about 8 boys ,2 more leaders, one of our young men discovered that knives can bite if you don't keep your eye on it.  I am an ER nurse, and he took a nice little chunk  out of his thumb, and   he fell apart. I believe that with this activity that 2-3 boys to 1 leader or parent is  imperative for safety, first aid kit close at hand. Keep Cool Calm and Collect, panic is contageous.

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Mar 29, 2017 - Scouter Paul

@Teisha - Hmmm, maybe that's why knives should not be used by Lions, Tigers, or Wolves.  Bear Scouts are the youngest scouts that are supposed to use knives in Scouting - see this page.

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Nov 06, 2019 - Sheryl

I have done knife safety three times now and every time I have given the Bears permission slips to be signed by them and their parents with the understanding that we will be thoroughly learning knife safety and if the Cub does not listen and follow the safety rules, they will not be allowed to continue the activity and therefore, not earning their Bear rank.  I have never had a problem and never had to remove a Bear.

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Dec 04, 2019 - Annie D

I, _______________________ (Bear’s name), promise to be safe with my Pocket Knife at all times.  This includes tonight, I will promise to listen completely and follow all directions.  If I fail to listen to instructions and follow safety rules, I will be excused from the activity and removed from our “learning area.”  I will not earn Bear Claws/Whittling Chip with my den and will be expected to perform all tasks on my own.
I also know there is a chance that I will get hurt (accidents happen).  I will allow a leader to provide first aid, I will remain calm, and I will use this as a learning experience.

____________________________________ (child) ___________ (date)

____________________________________ (parent) __________ (date)

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Dec 05, 2019 - Tony Telesca

Awesome help there Annie D.!
Making widdling chip a 2 den meeting process for the 3 Bears!

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Jan 09, 2020 - Chris Richard

I’m back in cubs with my grandsons after being in with my sons in the early 1990’s. I always require a 1:1 ratio of youth to adult. Parents are told that the youth MUST bring them or another adult to the meetings involving actual use of a knife. That allows me the freedom to teach and watch their technique and make sure they’re handling their knives safely. I also allow them to bring their own pocket knife but I inspect them and reserve the right to require them use one of my knives if I think theirs is not as safe as I like it. I prefer smaller, single bladed, lock-blade knives. The blades are more stable. I’ve been lucky enough to have only one injury, a small cut, while teaching pocket knife use countless times over the past thirty years and it was my own son!

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Aug 19, 2021 - Mary Ann Thomas

I thought parents had to come to all meeting while the scout was cubscout age? Am I getting the rules wrong?

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Aug 19, 2021 - Scouter Paul

@Mary Ann - That is not correct.  Please see https://www.scouting.org/about/faq/question6/  

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Oct 09, 2023 - Tania Morris

addressing what Mary Ann Thomas' question is as far as our pack is concerned and honestly ALL packs should be, YES parents are supposed to be at all meetings and are supposed to be involved as well. If not 1. we have parents that just drop off their kids and think this is a baby sitting service. 2. none will volunteer and all items regarding the pack are volunteers. and 3. I don't understand how BSA hasn't learned from their past mistakes to not allow parents to be present. It's a CYA for everyone, and it is also a good positive environment for the kids and parents alike. My parents love doing our projects with their scouts and I enjoy taking photographs of parents candid with their scouts.

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