What's more, they don't think other kids should have to do such work either.
"It's not fair that they're doing it to kids. It's too much work for them,'' fifth grader Kim Butterfield said Monday.
To get their point across, Bareford's students have been writing to the chief executive officers of four companies that have been accused by Time magazine and other media of using child labor to make their products in Third World countries.
The letter-writing campaign was suggested by the Child Labor Coalition in Time For Kids, a Time magazine publication for students.
The companies targeted are: Nike and Reebok, makers of athletic shoes and other sports clothing and equipment; Walt Disney, maker of stuffed toys and other items based on Disney movie characters; and Guess? Inc., maker of denim jeans and other clothing.
So far, two of the students, J.R. Flury and Trent Anderson, have received responses from Nike. The letters, which are identical, proclaim Nike's innocence and call attention to the fact that U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich "has singled out Nike as a leader in eliminating underage labor in Pakistan.''
"Child labor is a common practice in Third World countries but Nike will not simply accept it and is, in fact, working to change it,'' the letter said. "In Pakistan, where most of the world's soccer balls are made, Nike is building five stitching centers to provide good, clean working conditions. These centers will allow us to make sure that no children are stitching Nike soccer balls.''
Nike also said it pays all workers the local legal minimum wage or above, and often also provides workers with free meals, doctor visits, and a place to live.
The Viking fifth graders aren't convinced. They want to know why the company talks only about Pakistan and soccer balls. What about shoes and other clothing?
"I think they're hiding something from us. If they're giving Trent and J.R. the same letter, I think they're hiding something,'' Matt Jessessky said.
Avery Ridolfo and Anderson have a theory about the focus on soccer balls.
"I think that they really don't want to stop child labor for the clothes and shoes. I think they're just giving up the soccer balls because they're not so important,'' Ridolfo said.
Besides the moral issue of child labor, the students also questioned whether underage workers can produce a quality product.
"Adults could do a better job,'' said Gavin Olson. "They could make them stronger.''
Chanel Lego said shoppers should boycott companies known to use child labor to make their products.
Pressure also should be applied to the countries that allow children to work as laborers, Jon Lennartz said.
Justin Yahnke suggests mailing letters to people listed in the phone book to alert them about child labor.