Thor,<br><br>This thread contains some excellent recommendations.<br><br>The prevailing policies and laws re possession of knives at school & related activities can be harsh, intolerant & unrealistic. Alas, the punishments are also mandatory & draconian.<br><br>In our own case, 2 months ago my 12 year old son attended a 3 day camp by his 6th grade class. The principal & 2 6th grade teachers also attended. It was a professionally run theme camp with regular staff. No parents were allowed. That was the third year of using that camp. Various circumstances (some physical & objective) indicated that it was relatively safe. He is a very experienced camper & is competent with a knife, including his own regularly carried knives (SAK & L.Wave).<br><br>We reasoned that it was improbable that he would have any emergency requiring a knife. The period was short. The possible problems were unusually limited. The possibility of discovery by others was significant. Carrying a knife was illegal & harshly punished. For us, the only 2 realistic<br>options turned out to be letting him go without such normal camp gear as a knife, and not letting him go at all. The latter option was particularly attractive after we learned late that my wife was not not going to be allowed to go as a PTA chaperone.<br><br>We allowed him to attend. No significant problems occurred. Minor problems & highjinks were inevitable. Someone did pilfer his bag & stole money. A knife would have probably been found.<br><br>Investigate the people involved, the camping area, the probable risks, & make the most reasoned & best decision you can. Pray. <br><br>Good luck,<br><br>John<br><br>P.S. As an irony, my son will be going on another camping trip to the same general area for his summer long term camp in the Boy Scouts for a week in another month. But this time he will take more normal camping gear, trustworthy BSA compatriots, & proven BSA leaders (INCLUDING HIS FATHER). You guess which approach I like better. Incidentally, my 9 year old son is at CSA camp (only daytime except Friday night) all this week. I'm also one of the leaders there. And he also has his SAK (& Whittlin' Chip).