Hi Thor,<br><br>The knife issue is getting increasingly more prevelant all over from what I've read and heard of. As much as is pains one to admit, sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. . . <br><br>My 14 year old is at a weeklong campout that is state sponsored and geared towards iniital camping and firearms training. They too have a zero tolerance policy on knives. This was a bit of a dissapointment to him, as he has been carrying a pocket knife for about 4 years now. As yet, there have been only very minor nicked fingers (generally along the typical office papercut in size and concern) which are pretty much viewed part of the process of knife ownership. I doubt that anyone that carries a knife has not had a similar experience. He knows how to use the knife properly and to attend to the minor cleaning and antiseptic needs that he has incurred and lets us know about them in a timely manner.<br><br>He has been very interested and really participating in the making of PSK's in the last several months, (has his own including most of the items shown in Dougs kit). He was rather irritated to learn that he COULD NOT bring most of it with him to camp. He was however (according to the camp policy guide sheet) allowed to take a canteen, compass, whistle, poncho, flashlight and mirror.<br> <br>Considering that this is a state run camp that has been around for better than 20 years, I was comfortable with the restrictions regarding the Potable Aqua, knives, fire starters and first aid stuff. This is not to say that I would not have preferred him to have carried the whole kit and kaboodle though. Sometimes we've just got to bite our tongue and let things go a bit. <br><br>On the whole, I concur with what the previous posters have addressed. You might want to peruse several of the older threads on ETS forums, there have been several pretty good discussions regarding what to do when you don't have [fill in the blank] and you need to survive. The general consensus appears to be that lacking all else, having a plan of action and the appropriate knowledge is the most essential tool that you can have when the need arises (true in survival and most of the rest of life itself). It would appear that you have been sparking her interest and providing the education. This is a good thing. <br><br>In closing, and not knowing what kind of camp you are dealing with, my gut feeling is that your daughter would probaly be OK without the knife, but I would make sure that things like compass, mirror, whistle, canteen, PSK S.T.O.P. sheet and perhaps a small food stash (SOLAS food ration bar or similar) along with a quiet father daughter discussion would be appropriate. My guess is that there is more danger of camp bullies etc. than from actually getting lost and having to survive.<br><br>Another thought . . . it might be a good idea to have kids make some sort of flagstaff to carry when they get lost. Yes, I know it sounds a bit strange at first, but think about it . . . kids are smaller and harder to spot in many cases, especially if they lay down and take a nap. If they would find a stick of some sort and carry it with them AND when laying down for a nap, stand up their flagpole so that it is close by and readily visible (this would be a good place for a couple yards of bright surveyors tape as they could make tassels to blow in the wind ) and the actual making of the flagstaff would tend to be a bit of a confidence booster . . . "hey look at me, I have my own flag and I getting unlost now" versus "woe is me" etc. In most places one can find some sort of small branch or stick fairly easily, they are light and being out of place with flag or having clear stick up to a handful of broken branches on top would help searchers. <br><br>If she does manage to "misplace the camp", then having a quick bite to eat and a sip of water while reading S.T.O.P. and backtracking while whistleblowing and mirror flashing appropriate targets/people would be much appreciated. Besides which, she'll have an interesting story for school next year, likely titled "What I did on my summer vacation" ;>)<br><br>Hope this helps.<br>Comanche7