The news is all abuzz with news of a six year old Cub Scout, who has been suspended from school for bringing a pocketknife. He's a six year old, in First Grade, Tiger Cub, and straight-A student. He's been sentenced to 45 days at a reform school.

The Guide to Safe Scouting states "Remember—knives are not allowed on school premises, nor can they be taken aboard commercial aircraft." Why did he have a knife at school, when the BSA reminds you that they aren't allowed?

The Cub Scout Whittling Chip states "___ has demonstrated knowledge of, and skill in, the use of a personal pocketknife. By completing these safety requirements, he has earned the right to carry a pocketknife to designated Cub Scout functions." emphasis mine. Once again?

The Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities chart shows that a Tiger Cub is not allowed to use a pocketknife. Why does this first grade Tiger Cub have a pocketknife? In our Pack, we don't allow it until the Bear year (third grade), even though it is officially allowed in the Wolf year, if they have met the requirements.

There are a number of failures here. The first and foremost is by the parents. The parents bought the knife, the parents authorized its use, the parents didn't explain the rules (or worse, were ignorant of them), at Scouts or at school, and yet, the parents haven't been punished, and are attempting to circumvent the "zero tolerance" policy at the school district. The parents must be held culpable. The second failure is by the Scout Pack. Granted, his Den Leader probably doesn't know the rules yet either, but that's no excuse. All Scouting Units need to ensure that they are following the Guide to Safe Scouting, and to ensure that they are communicating what the rules are. Action - Rick, ensure my Pack understands the rules for pocketknife use in Cub Scouting. The third failure, and the one which will have the longest lasting impression on the boy, is by the school and the school district. What do they think the boy will gain by sitting in a reform school for 45 days? Do they think the influence of the other kids in the reform school will be good for him? Do they think that the teachers there will be able to adequately teach him? I think the parents and the child both need to be punished, but it needs to be commiserate with the "crime".

The Official Star Wars Blog pointed to a Landspeeder Pinewood Derby Car at thisblogismyblog. 

Nice job.

I think Trey did pretty good with his first attempt at a Pinewood Derby car.  You can see pictures in our gallery:

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but in later life all of these will remember that they had been Scouts and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will enter the Clergy of his chosen faith.

Each of the one hundred will learn something from Scouting. Almost all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person’s life and many will credit it with saving their own.

Four of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

Only one in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts.

This story will never end. Like the ‘Golden Pebble" of service dropped into the human sea, it will continue to radiate in ever-widening circles, influencing the characters of men down through unending time.

You'll be able to find pictures of Trey's Cub Scouting activities at http://www.lobrecht.com/gallery2/key/Pack414

in addition to whatever the pack has displayed at their official site http://www.pack414.com/.