Dear AHG Explorer, Pioneer, and Patriot Parents

Pocketknife Safety Training

September 10, 2012

Dear AHG Explorer, Pioneer, and Patriot Parents,

We will be presenting a training session on pocketknife safety on September 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pender UMC in the Fellowship Hall. Preregistration is required by Monday, September 17th in order for us to prepare and purchase training materials. Doors open at 8:45a.m. for check-in, and the program starts promptly at 9a.m. Parents may attend training, but it is not required. Please let us know if you are available to come, because we will need some helping hands.

Our AHG VA1907 Troop Policy and Guidelines states that,

“Knives can be an important and exciting piece of equipment for outdoor adventures, but they also bring with them an inherent increased risk. Knives may only be brought to an AHG activity when deemed appropriate by chaperoning adult AHG leaders and they are included on a pack list for an AHG activity. If pocket knives will be permitted at a Troop activity, Troop leadership must train girls about safe and appropriate use of a pocket knife.”

This program is designed to teach responsible knife safety. Our training session will consist of four parts: pocketknife safety rules, how to handle a pocketknife, how to take care of a pocketknife and whittling. During training, your daughter will learn and demonstrate safe handling practices for pocketknives. This will allow her to carry a pocketknife to designated scouting events and use it under the supervision of a leader.

Girls need to bring the following items with them to training:

1. The signed permission slip.
2. Aquality folding pocketknife with an approximately 2 ½” blade or smaller. Fixed blade/sheath knives are not permitted. Military or hunting style blades are also not permitted. Be wary of poorly made knives as they will compromise safety. Suggested brands include Victorinox, Wenger or Boy Scouts of America label. Please take the time to find a knife that you feel will be appropriate for your daughter and easily managed.
3. Recommended but not required: a pocketknife case that can be looped on a belt or carabiner for carrying the knife. A case will help keep your daughter’s knife clean and easily accessible during our AHG activities. If you do not have one, andwould like to purchase one at the training session, please bring $9 cash or check payable to Michelle Boice.

Parents, please help prepare your daughter for this training. Read together the attached safety rules for handling a pocketknife and review together the requirements for certification. It is critical that your daughter understands and respects that shemust earn the privilege to use a pocketknife and must follow certain safety guidelines to keep it. Additionally, please discuss with your daughter the parameters you will set for pocketknife use outside of AHG events and in your home.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns.

Thank you,

Your AHG Explorer, Pioneer, and Patriot Leaders

Explorer Contact: Cheryl MoxleyPi/Pa Contact: CarolynMcCloskey

( for contact information, if needed)

AHG VA1907 Pocketknife Safety CertificationRequirements

In order to earnpocketknife safety certification,girls must complete the following requirements successfully.

1. Read the “Safety Rules for Handling a Pocketknife” prior to the training session.
2. Attend the entire four-part training session: pocketknife safety rules, how to handle a pocketknife, how to take care of a pocketknife, and whittling.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in all four parts of training.
4. Successfully complete a written review test.
5. Participate in and successfully complete a yearly review of pocketknife safety training.

Girls agree to adhere to these rules.

1. I will bring my pocketknife to AHG meeting and events only when directed to do so by my leader.
2. I will use a pocketknife only under adult supervision with leader permission during AHG events.
3. I will keep my pocketknife safety certification certificate readily available in my AHG binder.
4. I will properly carry my pocketknife along with the certification card at all designatedAHG activities.
5. I will not carry a knife on school property at any time. Violation of this rule will result inimmediate loss of certificationas well as any punishment from the school.
6. My involvement in any activity resulting in knife-related injury to any person will result in immediate loss of certification and a leader will hold my pocketknife until release to my parent or guardian.
7. If a safety rule is violated, the supervising AHG adult will tear off a corner of my certification card. Four violations will result in the loss of certification, which must be re-earned by successful completion of another pocketknife safety training session.