Need suggestions for firestarting demos for kids - and a POLL

[Daniel Koster]

I'm taking my Scouts out for some firestarting demos this weekend. We're going to work on learning how to showing other scouts (including younger cub scouts) techniques on proper firestarting.

We'll also be clearing a ton of brush for a trail and thus will have a good supply of stuff to each satisfy our inner Pyro.


Firestarting is one of those things that anyone can learn and it and once you *know* you can do it, you have that confidence the rest of your life. Better yet if you learn early in life. I have a few in my group who consistently "give in" to the "liquid propellant" version of firestarting...because they never learned the proper way to do it and lack that confidence and satisfaction. [Yes, I know I'm preaching to the choir....]



Anyway, I feel like I am stuck in a rut. I have my favorite way of doing things and am very likely limiting in my approach.

I could use some suggestions for some simple firestarting techniques that kids can pick up on, enjoy and feel like it's something they want to master themselves.


Thanks!

Dan



p.s. I added a POLL to this thread - I have no shame in admitting it wasn't until I was an adult that I *knew* I could do it. I was, of course, elated when one of my 13y.o. scouts really listened and worked hard at getting it right himself on our last campout....and then was so excited about it - on his own went and taught 2 other kids how to do it properly too. *Proud Leader Moment*

 

[tonym]

I was about 17 when I could build my own fire with out any excellerant, city kid...


Anyway, Kevin Estela has a great way of teaching fire. He said something like this; "Imagine taking a big dead oak tree and trying to set it on fire with a match. Your more than likely going to burn your finger before you will burn that tree. But chop that tree into a billion little toothpick size pieces of wood, and you will have a huge fire with that 1 match.. So start with the smallest pieces of wood first and then slowly add larger pieces to build your fire up." (Sorry if I butcherred yur quote Kev )

 

[fmajor007]

I was about 14 when i started making 'em.

Congrats on leading/teaching others to lead as well - good job!!!

Initially i learned with the magnesium block and ferrocerium and it's been good to me ever since! That doesn't mean i've not learned other methods, but for when i *need* a fire and the alternative is hypothermia, use what works for you.

Maybe make a catalog of the main types of fire-starting methods you're comfortable with and simply make stations with a couple sets of gear for each.

The main ones i'm comfortable with are the plow, bow, and my fav ferrocerium/spark rods. I also like to use a magnesium accelerator, but thats just the pyro in me!

EDIT: as to "how" to teach it, well it's the 'ol 1) Instruction 2) Demonstration and 3) Practical Application method. That way you're hitting all the primary learning receptors that may be present among yer Scouts. After these three then it's practice, practice, practice!!!

I will say it's good to have a high teacher/student ratio on these types skill learning. Reason being is that there's nothing like 1st time success to build confidence and then repeat 1,000x!!!

 

[MustardMan]

I was probably in the 9-12 range, but the fires I started were more the car camping variety - rip up some cardboard from a case of coors light that the adults were drinking, pile up some wood, and use a lighter to get it going. Not exactly real fire starting.

I ended up quitting scouts after less than a year, because I was irritated that they were teaching so few outdoors skills, and we were mostly doing stuff in somebody's backyard, like making stilts out of coffee cans or pasting stickers onto pre-finished cutting boards for our mommies. In other words, fire starting was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until my teenage years where I taught myself how to use a firesteel and actually start a fire with mostly natural materials, not giant piles of newspaper and cardboard.


I remember seeing a bowdrill demonstration when I was around 10, and how much it impacted and impressed me, but I doubt that's the best method to use here, unless you then move on to easier methods for them to try

Perhaps some simple firestarting tools are in order - easier for a kid to operate then a firesteel, but more challenging than a lighter. I have recently been looking at the spark lite firestarters, and they seem like they would be simple enough for kids to operate. Giving them some pre-made tinder, and a pile of sticks that they could break up and sort into appropriate piles by size, could help drive home the importance of building a fire up from small wood, without giving them the easy cop-out of a lighter, but also not the ridiculous challenge of trying to get tinder started.

 

[Pritch]

Hi Dan,

I just started volunteering as an assistant scoutmaster for a local troop and have been considering this as well. The reason are is a relevant question is thatit can serve as a rough measure of responsibility. When giving kids the keys to fire, it is important they learn not to abuse this knowledge.

I would recommend selling the presentation as the "secret" of fire, and concentrate on preparation rather than ignition. If you can slow the kids down from striking that match (or whatever) until they have gathered and sorted their tinder, kindling & fuel, their success rate and confidence will soar.

I'm looking forward to hear how it goes.

 

[Raymond1000]

Have you used the upside down fire method? I learned it from Old Jimbo. Scroll to the bottom for details.

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/fire.html

 

[DocGP]

With my kids, 9-12 was where I started. We have a fire pit in the front yard, an I told them they could start one anytime they wanted if they just tell me or mom, and use the fire pit. I have had no problem with them ever playing with matches and such, as they have a constructive outlet for their natural curiosity. My approach to firearms is the same. Any time you want to shoot ask dad and we will go to the hunt club (300 yds from the house). Otherwise don't touch the guns.

As far as how, I prefer mischmetal and cat tail fluff for primitive.

Doc

 

[12345678910]

I would recommend selling the presentation as the "secret" of fire, and concentrate on preparation rather than ignition. If you can slow the kids down from striking that match (or whatever) until they have gathered and sorted their tinder, kindling & fuel, their success rate and confidence will soar.

.

It think that is key.



I see an endless obsession of mention of fatwood here, yet I've never seen it in my life and it requires tools to chop it out of dead stumps.

In my boyscout days we were taught to collect "Squaw wood" which is
the very fine branches on the bottom trunk of a spruce tree or other conifer. It stays dry even in rainy weather, is easy to snap off and gather by hand, and makes excellent tinder for starting a fire."

 

[actionshooter38]

Teach them the basics of fire prep. small to start and build up from there.
Lighting techniques they like...0000 steel wool and 9v battery...They will oohh and ahhhh every time. Also get some Frito regular corn chips. Light it with any source and let it burn, should last up to 5 minutes.
I show scouts fire pistons, ferro rods, true flint and steel, bow drill,magnifying glass, 9v and steel wool, match and lighter.
Stress the fire triangle and how the loss of any side destroys the fire.
Hope this helps.

 

[IA Woodsman]

When I teach scouts they love to use their knives(as we all do). They also love to use a firesteel(once again, as we all do). The method I teach is a split wood fire and lighting it with petroleum jelly and cotton balls. This way they get to use their knives and a fire steel. If you only let your scouts use pocket knives, they can still make feather sticks/shavings and use that to get the bigger fuel goin. Here is a vid I have them watch. In our troop we still make them get a Totin Chit.

[YOUTUBE]bfpWthydnDw[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Daniel Koster]

Great information and suggestions guys. This is what I needed. Like I said, I have my small handful of ways that are successful for me and I think the ideas you guys are proposing will make some great presentations for me and good activities for the boys.

Dan

 

[PayetteRucker]

IA Woodsman's split wood fire is pretty darned foolproof, and usually my go-to technique especially if it's rained recently and all the wood sources less than 2 inches in diameter that you find on the ground are likely too wet. Definately a good place to start, and they'll get some hands-on experience with tool use in a constructive manner, as well.

 

[ROCK6]

I was about a "tweener" when I learned how. My son and daughter started much younger. I think the important factors are safety and tinder. Knowing how to build a fire with enough tinder, very small twigs, small twigs and finger-sized fuel...they start to understand that fire isn't easy to get going, but after it's going, you need to respect and control it. Let us know how it works out!

ROCK6