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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