First, thank you for helping with the Scouting program. If every man who was a Scout paid back by helping a Troop today, many more boys could be in the progeram and greater selectivity could be exercised as to who has the privilege of being a Scoutmaster.
DaQo'tah Forge said:
That is correct. I was in cubscouts andf then Boyscouts myself too back in the 1070s and the need for a fixed blade never came up.
I don't know. The Middle Ages were a time when large knives were favored by those who could afford them.
Here now in the 2000s I have been active and working with our church's cub and boy scouts and again, the need for fixed blades has never come up.
Then I respectfully suggest that you have failed in your obligation to bring it up. The boys will use fixed blade knives -- if not now, then later. Scouting is a good program to teach them how to do so responsibly. Moreover, using folding knives for food preparation is unwise. That is why the BSA includes fixed-blade knives in the official Chef's Kit.
Remember there is a good reason we have this rule here against fixed blades. Time has shown that for most of the time while the boys are in the woods or in the church doing scout lessons or wherever, they can get along fine with the good old Slip-joint scout pocket knife.
How do you teach them to cook from scratch? Do you cut up the food for them? Do they use the proper "kitchen" knives with no training or experience? Do they use folding knives contrary to good sanitation practice?
TV dinners?
When I was a scout we did all our heavy chopping with the boy scout axe or with a saw. Thats why we dragged them out in the woods with us.
The axe is far more dangerous than the knife. The hand axe is more dangerous than the full axe. Saws are far safer but not a replacement for an axe or stout knife.
I have helped now of two different scout outings here with myh own two boys, and with the rules in place and with the normal camping events we still found no need for someone to run into town and get a fixed blade....
I have "helped" with over 350 Scouting outings. I admit that "most" tasks can be done with a folding knife. And most Scouting events can be carried out without a first aid kit, survival blanket, knowledge of CPR, uniform --- or courage. One can easily camp without fire of any kind, eating only pre-cooked or "raw" foods. We teach more than the minimum -- and should.
The scout motto of "Be prepared " is not talking about haveing plenty of "over-kill" gear on hand...LOL
Be prepared , is talking about being in a state of readyness in mind and body , to do your duty, to face danger, and to be ready to help others. Be prepared is not talking about what toys you strap to yourself as you head out the door, it's talking about haveing a heart and mind and body that can step up to challenges that we all face day to day.
The mental aspect of being "prepared" is certainly primary - attitide, knowledge and experience. Since Scouting uses the outdoor progarm as its primary method of reaching boys, the mental aspect would include knowledge of how to properly and respctfully use basic outdoor tools. The fixed-blade knife is THE primary outdoor tool and has been for centuries. The only other candidate for that title is the axe. The folding knife? The folding knife is lots better than nothing.
As for "toys," any unit that allows any bladed tool to be regarded as a toy is failing in its responsibility and missing an opportunity to develope Scouts into proper adults.
I repeat, they WILL use fixed-blade knives. You can have an impact on how they do so, or duck that task and leave it to others.
It was entertaining at times. One guy tried to sneak back to the campsite when the troop was out for some night games, maybe half a mile away from camp. The problem was he tried to dig tunnel to get there. 
He was lost and we had to look for him and I found him alseep next to a small hole he dug. 
