I'm a Guide leader (for 24 years) and I teach the girls to use knives. No parents have complained - infact they are very supportive, we always warn them at the beginning of a term if knives are going to be used. The girls love making wood crafty stuff, and some are very good. At the moment we just use swiss army knives (I bought up a set of second hand ones before the ebay ban and lend them out so that I can monitor their use, condition, and take them away if needed) but I'm thinking of changing to fixed blade now - I've just ordered some moras for my youth club kids (who also do a bit of woodcraft - recurring theme!!)
I think it's important for young people (boys and girls) to learn practical skills.
We're looking at getting some axes and reintroducing axe skills next. I was a Guider in South Africa for a while and there is still an 'Axe woman badge' as part of the Guide programme. It's very scary watching girls wearing flipflops weilding axes but no one seemed bothered there - it's hot, why would you wear boots anywway!
I think it's important for young people (boys and girls) to learn practical skills.
We're looking at getting some axes and reintroducing axe skills next. I was a Guider in South Africa for a while and there is still an 'Axe woman badge' as part of the Guide programme. It's very scary watching girls wearing flipflops weilding axes but no one seemed bothered there - it's hot, why would you wear boots anywway!
