Cub Scouts Day At Dutchman’s

Great day with my Bears learning some life skills at Dutchman’s Rod and Gun Club. We spent the day earning two belt loops. We started learning knife safety, then how to prepare a simple meal, and then how to put up a tent.

Knife Safety

The traditional scout way to teach knife safety is to start off by talking about knives. I shared my three special knives that I own that mean the most to me. First, my Case folder that my mom bought for me when I was 13. The second was a fixed blade hunting knife I’ve used to field dress every deer I’ve ever harvested (except for my first, that was a borrowed knife). And finally my Leatherman Wave, my fly fishing multi-tool that’s accompanied me on dozens of trips to the water. Each scout in turn told me about their knives. A few brought pocket knives from their paw-paws or had special knives their dads made them. Very good sharing..

Then we learned how to sharpen our knives. I taught them using a safety sharpener instead of a stone. I don’t see the point of a stone, a safety sharpener does a great job and I’ve been using one for twenty years. Then we learned how to safely cut rope and open letters. They loved that and could’ve spent the rest of the day just doing that which was funny.

Simple Meal

Next we went into the kitchen. The Dutchman just renovated this space so we were the first to get to use it! Each scout learned how to cut lettuce, an apple, and peel a carrot in a safe manner. Then they went outside and learned how to use a barbecue and made us hot dogs and brats. Then they served their parents lunch. It was really good and the scouts pigged out on the deserts. Afterwards I let them go play together on the playground equipment and get to know each other a little better.

Putting Up A Tent

Finally we put up my tent in the front yard. I told them I would instruct them how to do it and they would have to put it up as a team. It was so funny. Three scouts would put together the poles and walk them over like a real construction crew. They’d insert the poles and eventually we got the thing up. I let them play in the tent for awhile and they went nuts.

Overall it was a great day.