Summer 2025

​

For some time now, our group has been learning how to handle knives safely and responsibly. Before beginning any real whittling, the kids studied safety rules, practiced with plastic knives, and even completed a test to ensure they understood the basics. We also covered proper knife care, including sharpening and maintenance, to prevent accidents and extend the life of the tool.

Learning safe knife skills is about much more than carving wood. It teaches injury prevention, builds respect and responsibility, and fosters confidence and independence. Most importantly, it provides hands-on knowledge and experiences that books and screens simply can’t replicate. I have truly enjoyed watching the children put these lessons into practice—whittling carefully while following every rule responsibly.

This year, thanks to the generous support of your donations, I was able to provide some of the kids with their very own knives. I chose the Beavercraft Explorer Knife, a model with several safety features that make it especially suitable for beginners. It has a secure grip designed for smaller hands, a finger guard for unexpected slips, a rounded tip, and a short fixed blade. Each knife came with a leather sheath for safe storage, along with mineral oil to help protect the blade and handle from rust and cracking. I’ll admit—I think I may have been more excited than the kids when it came time to hand them out!

The knives weren’t just given away; the children had to earn them. Throughout the summer, they collected tokens for participating in daily jobs, activities, projects, and demonstrating positive behavior. For every five tokens, they could choose a prize from the treasure chest. But those who saved up 150 tokens earned a knife—a reward for both patience and perseverance. Some children spent their tokens right away, while others resisted temptation and worked steadily toward their goal. At the end of the season, we also held a review quiz covering everything they had learned. Each correct answer earned them a token, and one student impressed us all by scoring 51 out of 53!

I couldn’t be more proud of the effort, growth, and responsibility every child showed this summer.

.