KenK,

Well, sounds like you're on the right track in my book. Shhhh! about those kitchen knives, though - I'll never again set foot on a Scout Reservation if THOSE get regulated out.

Funny how that "hour a week" means "an hour with the boys" and doesn't mention all the hours you put in between the meetings, eh? I believe it's well worth it in the long haul, though.

As you look ahead, a suggestion: We use Boy's axes mostly - they are a much better fit, size-wise, for all of the younger (smaller) scouts. We have larger axes for the nearly adult-sized boys, but the smaller axes get used the most.

As for splitting logs - I show the boys over and over how to split smaller wood (say 1" diameter) into useful splits for fire lays, using a knife and safe techniques. The majority of them "get it" and instead of scrounging around endlessly for little bits of twigs, quickly split the readily available stuff with their knives (safer than a hatchet or axe) and get the fire going - with a HotSpark and cotton ball they've prepared and carried. It's really cool when they understand things you've taught them. Nowadays I can usually sit back and let the 14 year olds be the "old hands" at most of the simple things - they do the bulk of the teaching.

Tom