New to the moot

[twyforge]

This year will be my first time having persuaded the family to attend the moot, and as is to be expected, I am very, very excited

The five of us will be going, i.e. my parents, two younger siblings (11 & 8) and myself. Any advice that anyone may have would be very much appreciated, as although we have camping experience (especially with my being an explorer scout), we have never undertaken anything of this duration without supermarket etc. within a short drive/walking distance.

It would also be very much appreciated if someone could elaborate upon the restrictions on the use/carrying of knives by minors. Whilst with explorers or camping otherwise in situations similar to that of the moot, I would normally carry a 3-4 inch blade on the hip and/or a folder in my pocket, in addition to a belt FAK of course. Whilst I believe that this would be permissible whilst in the company of a parent (as stated on the moot website), would it be acceptable whilst running short errands and the suchlike (like popping back to our camp or nipping off to do something else quickly)??

As always, your help is much appreciated.

Cheers,
Thomas

 

[Mesquite]

A Moot mod will no doubt answer your question about knives but I just thought I say you're actually a short drive from a supermarket so your parents needn't worry too much.

There's a big Tesco Extra about 15 minute drive away as well as a Lidl next door to it.

Advise your parents that it's highly unlikely that they'll see much of you and your siblings apart from feeding times as there's a lot of kids the same ages who gather together and have a great time enjoying the freedom in a safe environment.

Other than that just enjoy yourselves, it's a fantastic time for sure

 

[Ogri the trog]

Thomas,
Thank you for your questions, they demonstrate a maturity beyond your years.

I hope that the rest of your family will find the Moot to be fun and entertaining as well as yourself. There will be plenty of other children for your younger siblings to spend time with - indeed, a partly feral pack of children soon forms every year with numerous areas to play. Many families treat the Moot as a normal camping holiday with the benefits of workshops and lots of like-minded people.

Hopefully there will be things to interest Mum & Dad too, it is entirely likely that they'll want to attend some of the same workshops as you, so there should be very little conflict over knife carrying - it is after-all - a small part of a very big picture. The guidelines have come about for the safety of everyone and we have found that they work quite well. Please be patient, in a few short years you'll be old enough to carry a knife without having to have a parent accompany you. Please also understand that if we were to bend the rules for one, then why not for all!

There is a Tesco supermarket only a few miles from the site, so regular re-supplies of fresh produce are easily attainable - you'll probably drive past it on your way to the site.

Looking forward to meeting you and your family.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Wayne]

Just to be clear. Children are allowed to use knives with parental consent during a workshop. A parent or guardian must also accompany a child to any workshops. Children are not allowed to carry knives away from their campsites unsupervised

Everyone on site must attend the knife safety talk usually by myself and Sargey. If a child is found with a knife unsupervised it will be confiscated by the mod team and the parents will need to speak to Tony to have it returned.

Anyone carrying a sharp must also have a first aid kit. I will use your kit to patch you up

 

[Quixoticgeek]

...Carrying a sharp must also have a first aid kit. I will use your kit to patch you up

Is there any requirements on what a first aid kit must contain? Some of the kits I've seen sold don't have much to patch up more than a tiny papercut, but they do claim to be a first aid kit...

Cheers

J

 

[Mesquite]

Is there any requirements on what a first aid kit must contain? Some of the kits I've seen sold don't have much to patch up more than a tiny papercut, but they do claim to be a first aid kit...

Best approach is to carry the kit you'd take with you when you're out and about with something adequate enough in it to deal with an injury from a knife.

 

[Tony]

Yeah, Steve's got it right.

It's worth noting that some people do not have any common sense and we will deal with them, but for the most part we trust people have got common sense and so when it comes to FAK's bring the one that works and has stuff in it that will be useful for everyday patching, cuts and grazes, if there's anything more serious we can deal with it with separate kits. We rarely have any injuries and then they're not usually bad, they're nearly all cuts on hands though or stabs into a palm and the like so that's the thing to plan for.

 

[twyforge]

Thanks to all for your input

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Yeah, Steve's got it right.

It's worth noting that some people do not have any common sense and we will deal with them, but for the most part we trust people have got common sense and so when it comes to FAK's bring the one that works and has stuff in it that will be useful for everyday patching, cuts and grazes, if there's anything more serious we can deal with it with separate kits. We rarely have any injuries and then they're not usually bad, they're nearly all cuts on hands though or stabs into a palm and the like so that's the thing to plan for.

I carry a large trauma dressing bungeed to my belt, it isn't in anything marked "FIRST AID KIT", and it is just the big dressing. Is that enough to satisfy the "you must carry a FAK" requirement?

J

 

[Midnitehound]

I carry a large trauma dressing bungeed to my belt, it isn't in anything marked "FIRST AID KIT", and it is just the big dressing. Is that enough to satisfy the "you must carry a FAK" requirement?

J

It may make eating difficult if you cut your finger! Remember you also need to carry a fork to come to the aid of anyone who has cooked too much stew!

 

[bob_the_baker]

It may make eating difficult if you cut your finger! Remember you also need to carry a fork to come to the aid of anyone who has cooked too much stew!

And a drinking vessel of some description in case they have an excess of homebrew or too weighty a hip flask

 

[Buckshot]

I carry a large trauma dressing bungeed to my belt, it isn't in anything marked "FIRST AID KIT", and it is just the big dressing. Is that enough to satisfy the "you must carry a FAK" requirement?

J

A large dressing is a great idea (I carry at least one myself) but a few plasters, swabs and small bandage is a minimum requirement I would suggest. As for what it's carried in it really doesn't matter. we will ask you for it. In the unlikely event you are unconscious we will treat you using our kit as you probably need a little more than a sticky plaster!
Tony is quite right just have a think about the sort of thing that will be useful. No need to go too overboard and buy the whole chemist though!

As is the case with all FAK you carry it with the hope of never needing it. the best thing that can happen with the contents is they go out of date!

 

[twyforge]

Another question, does anything of note happen on the Friday (24th), or is it more of an arrive/set up kind of affair?

 

[crosslandkelly]

As far as I can see, there is just this. 1 Day Introduction to Traditional Basket Making skills - Friday 24th July
Cost: £50

 

[Tony]

Another question, does anything of note happen on the Friday (24th), or is it more of an arrive/set up kind of affair?

Yep, it's an arrival day for those arriving for the core days, that's not to say that people can't use the the site for activities if they'd like to but there's nothing organised.

 

[tim_n]

*I don't know what idiot would slice their thumb in half with a folder*

Aaaannnyyyway, you haven't said how old you are - I'm assuming 13->17? 18 seems to be the magic number. I can't imagine there's a problem popping back to camp and somesuch as long as you're not - and not tempted to - use the knife on the way or out of sight. It's always good to do it in the company of others, especially if you're having a thumb splitting time.

I say this having seen a young man (14) who I'd already told off for walking around with 3.5" knife blade out swinging it around at plant life (when he didn't have a valid permit at a scout camp because it'd be revoked for dangerous behavour) run and trip in the rain with the knife pointed directly at his chest at his heart in an attempt to sheaf(?) it before I saw it. Fortunately as he fell he lost his grip on the knife and point first in the ground.

After I'd finished explaining his future in my telling off voice, I don't think I heard a single bird for the rest of the day.

 

[tim_n]

Probably not bringing a knife this year

 

[twyforge]

I'll be 15 on Monday, and I very much appreciate the dangers of knives, as should anyone who uses them at all. I must admit that I do have a scar on my right index that was gained by a momentary lapse of sanity whilst attempting to bore a hole in a piece of wood with a folder. How naive we are as scouts.

Nonetheless, I have absolutely no qualms whatsoever with the rules that are in place; quite the contrary in fact. I only asked for it to be clarified as I saw them to be somewhat vaguely worded on the website, which may well have been intentional given the circumstances.

 

[Midnitehound]

Probably not bringing a knife this year

I'd recommend not even bringing a spoon.

[video=youtube;MhfuuKiTcYQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhfuuKiTcYQ[/video]

 

[tim_n]

I'll be 15 on Monday, and I very much appreciate the dangers of knives, as should anyone who uses them at all. I must admit that I do have a scar on my right index that was gained by a momentary lapse of sanity whilst attempting to bore a hole in a piece of wood with a folder. How naive we are as scouts.

Pff slice your finger when you're in your 30s and in charge of scouts. Much more fun.

I'm surprised Tony is having me back.

Mind you, it was his fault, he was the one who said that very morning about having no accidents.