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Over the years I'd given the Imps (my affectionate collective name for them) Maglites, SAK Mini Champs, Leatherman type multi-tools and LED micro-lanterns for their outdoor adventures and showed them the benefits of water filters, hatchet, folding saw, candle lanterns etc....
I agree, my eldest son was 6 (now 10) when I bought him his 1st pen knife, a razor sharp Opinel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinel made in France, these are my all time favourite folding knives. Mom was very sceptical but I spent a lot of time teaching him how to hold it, cut away from the body and when and where it's OK to take it out (ie: not when friends are about.) The odd cut or two was part of the learning curve (fortunately no major amputations!) He knows how to carry an axe, start a fire with a swedish fire steel, pitch a tent and so on. I even take him out into the desert on occasion and get him to drive the LandCruiser (offroad!) He has learnt the value of looking after kit and has his own knife, maglite, tent, sleeping bag, snorkel gear and, now, a citibot (see my review on the mainpage) amongst other things. It's all gone to raising a self confident and competent kid. I'm about to start off his 1.5 year old brother (cool! I get to buy the latest cool camping gear all over again!) Nothing teaches you self reliance like being outdoors. Nothing teaches you to be careful more than doing something risky.
I learned more about lifeskills during my all too brief years as a boy scout then anywhere else.