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Description

To learn about safe handling of penknife and use to whittle tent peg

Resources

Safety Gloves - We use cut resistant gloves with EN388 Level 5/5 safety rating
Penknife - We use the Opinel No. 7 Scout which has a rounded tip and shorter blade and handle and is designed for younger children
Fresh cut wood with no knots. Not hardwood or anything with sap as this can cause irritation to the skin. I woulod recommend willow or sycamore. Both grow in abundance and it is usually good to cut them back or remove saplings as site management. Willow is a very soft wood and perfect for first timers. Sycamore is a gorgeous wood to carve, easy and smooth. Wood is easiest to carve when still green, ie recently cut.

Instructions

Sit the Beaver Scouts 2m apart on benches or camp chairs
Introduce the Beaver Scout to the penknife and explain how to hold it and the etiquette of using a penknife.
Find out whether each Beaver Scout is right or left-handed. They will use the knife in this hand
Issue a safety glove for the opposite hand (this is the hand they will hold the wood in and is at risk of being cut)
Show them the picture of the shape of the tent peg you are going to whittle
Issue the piece of wood and draw the shape of the tent peg onto the wood
Explain again how to hold and use a penknife and check understanding - knife cuts away from the body and NOT towards
Issue the knife and explain how to open it
Undertake the activity carefully monitoring the group - I would recommend a ratio of 1:2 if possible but nomore than 1:4

Tags

• beavers and cubs
• Pegs
• pen knife skills
• tent peg
• Whittle

Badge Links

• Adventure - Adventurous activity
• Outdoors - Create
• Outdoors - Natural activity
• Skills - Creative activity
• Skills - Other