He's getting there, Izzy. We're teaching him safe knife useage at home and in Cub Scouts. He's impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive though and is easily influenced by his peers. Unknown kids plus sharps could spell trouble. That and his motor skills are a bit delayed for his age, so his technique needs a lot of guidance. We just gave him his first SAK (a camper, in classic red) and we're trying to give him as much opportunity to practice with it as we can.

You're absolutely right about the positive fitness component of hiking with a pack on. It's such a good workout, especially the hills when I'm pushing the stroller. I'm almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight but I'm in the age bracket where I have to fight hard to maintain my weigh to, carry my pack on the trail is win win.

I thought it was cool that those kids were out there in the forest on their own. Don't see that that much these days in places a little more out of the way. It's a mixed blessing. great for the kids but I just wish they were in Scouts or had someone to show them how to take care of nature. We've found so much garbage and injured trees this summer. Makes me want to cry.