Difference between revisions of "Fire Games & Challenges"
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*Scout playing area for hazards: tripping objects, stinging insects, trash, and much more. | *Scout playing area for hazards: tripping objects, stinging insects, trash, and much more. | ||
− | === Fire fundamentals === | + | ===Fire fundamentals=== |
− | # '''Fire fundamentals lesson.''' Teach/demonstrate/discuss safety, fuel gathering and sorting, fire structure, lighting strategies, fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat), etc. | + | #'''Fire fundamentals lesson.''' Teach/demonstrate/discuss safety, fuel gathering and sorting, fire structure, lighting strategies, fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat), etc. |
− | # '''Match lighting practice (how to light, how to hold).''' Everyone circles up around an empty firepit, is given a box of matches, and is asked to light six to ten matches to practice the technique of lighting a match AND to practice how to hold a match to get the biggest, most useful flame (try angling it 45 degrees downward!) Spent matches are discarded into the fire pit. | + | #'''Match lighting practice (how to light, how to hold).''' Everyone circles up around an empty firepit, is given a box of matches, and is asked to light six to ten matches to practice the technique of lighting a match AND to practice how to hold a match to get the biggest, most useful flame (try angling it 45 degrees downward!) Spent matches are discarded into the fire pit. |
− | # '''Firesteel and fireball lesson.''' Demonstrate how to use a firesteel (ferrocerium rod) to make sparks, and how to use a "fireball" (cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly) to catch the sparks and make a small fire that will burn for 3 - 4 minutes. | + | #'''Firesteel and fireball lesson.''' Demonstrate how to use a firesteel (ferrocerium rod) to make sparks, and how to use a "fireball" (cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly) to catch the sparks and make a small fire that will burn for 3 - 4 minutes. |
===Fire Challenges=== | ===Fire Challenges=== | ||
− | ====== Notes about fire challenges ====== | + | ======Notes about fire challenges====== |
− | * Several of the games below involve a "fire challenge," meaning that a small group must make a fire according to certain criteria or restrictions. | + | *Several of the games below involve a "fire challenge," meaning that a small group must make a fire according to certain criteria or restrictions. |
− | * For fire challenges, small groups of 3 to 4 people work well. All these challenges can, of course, be done by 1 or 2 people, but having 3 or 4 people in each group divides up the labor AND challenges the participant's use of teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. But, if the groups are too large (more than 5 people), it's easy for certain members to "fade into the background" and not get involved. | + | *For fire challenges, small groups of 3 to 4 people work well. All these challenges can, of course, be done by 1 or 2 people, but having 3 or 4 people in each group divides up the labor AND challenges the participant's use of teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. But, if the groups are too large (more than 5 people), it's easy for certain members to "fade into the background" and not get involved. |
− | * It's best to divide a large group into groups of 3 or 4 people using the [[Ideas for Splitting a Group into Subgroups|"line up by skill and count off"]] method so as to distribute skill among the various groups. | + | *It's best to divide a large group into groups of 3 or 4 people using the [[Ideas for Splitting a Group into Subgroups|"line up by skill and count off"]] method so as to distribute skill among the various groups. |
− | * Because each one of multiple groups is building a fire, you'll need to have multiple fire pits. Make sure each fire pit is in a safe location and has a bucket of water nearby in case a fire starts burning out of control. | + | *Because each one of multiple groups is building a fire, you'll need to have multiple fire pits. Make sure each fire pit is in a safe location and has a bucket of water nearby in case a fire starts burning out of control. |
− | * One measure of success is to have the group build an “adult” fire, meaning a mature fire that can burn on its own for several minutes without the group adding or moving wood in the fire or blowing on it. In contrast, a "baby" fire is a small fire that needs constant feeding and attention or it will go out. A "teenage" fire is somewhere between the two. | + | *One measure of success is to have the group build an “adult” fire, meaning a mature fire that can burn on its own for several minutes without the group adding or moving wood in the fire or blowing on it. In contrast, a "baby" fire is a small fire that needs constant feeding and attention or it will go out. A "teenage" fire is somewhere between the two. |
+ | *For advanced groups, consider mixing and matching the challenges. For instance, you could make blindfold one person in each group, make one person unable to speak, give them only one match, and tell them they need to burn through a suspended string within a specified time limit. | ||
− | ====== Specific fire challenges ====== | + | ======Specific fire challenges====== |
<br /> | <br /> | ||
− | === Missions === | + | ===Missions=== |
Fire fundamentals (the S's of fire) | Fire fundamentals (the S's of fire) | ||
Revision as of 14:04, 15 July 2021
back to: Game Library
Requirements
- Age 7+
- Players 8-12
- Time 3-5 min rounds
- Location Small clear area Large clear area Forest
- Energy Low (sitting, standing) Medium (walking, stalking) High (running) Extreme (sprinting)
- Materials Bands
- Lead by Pathfinder Whiskers Cloak
- Guides 1
Story
What is the essence of this game?
Action Call
Compelling questions / challenges to get kids excited to play.
Game
Safety
- Many of our program areas don't allow fires or have very restrictive rules about fire. Check with your program coordinator or site director about fire rules for your site.
- In areas where fires ARE allowed, consider the following before choosing...
- LINK to a separate page that lists all fire rules? These could be fire rules from the SQM.
- Scout playing area for hazards: tripping objects, stinging insects, trash, and much more.
Fire fundamentals
- Fire fundamentals lesson. Teach/demonstrate/discuss safety, fuel gathering and sorting, fire structure, lighting strategies, fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat), etc.
- Match lighting practice (how to light, how to hold). Everyone circles up around an empty firepit, is given a box of matches, and is asked to light six to ten matches to practice the technique of lighting a match AND to practice how to hold a match to get the biggest, most useful flame (try angling it 45 degrees downward!) Spent matches are discarded into the fire pit.
- Firesteel and fireball lesson. Demonstrate how to use a firesteel (ferrocerium rod) to make sparks, and how to use a "fireball" (cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly) to catch the sparks and make a small fire that will burn for 3 - 4 minutes.
Fire Challenges
Notes about fire challenges
- Several of the games below involve a "fire challenge," meaning that a small group must make a fire according to certain criteria or restrictions.
- For fire challenges, small groups of 3 to 4 people work well. All these challenges can, of course, be done by 1 or 2 people, but having 3 or 4 people in each group divides up the labor AND challenges the participant's use of teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. But, if the groups are too large (more than 5 people), it's easy for certain members to "fade into the background" and not get involved.
- It's best to divide a large group into groups of 3 or 4 people using the "line up by skill and count off" method so as to distribute skill among the various groups.
- Because each one of multiple groups is building a fire, you'll need to have multiple fire pits. Make sure each fire pit is in a safe location and has a bucket of water nearby in case a fire starts burning out of control.
- One measure of success is to have the group build an “adult” fire, meaning a mature fire that can burn on its own for several minutes without the group adding or moving wood in the fire or blowing on it. In contrast, a "baby" fire is a small fire that needs constant feeding and attention or it will go out. A "teenage" fire is somewhere between the two.
- For advanced groups, consider mixing and matching the challenges. For instance, you could make blindfold one person in each group, make one person unable to speak, give them only one match, and tell them they need to burn through a suspended string within a specified time limit.
Specific fire challenges
Missions
Fire fundamentals (the S's of fire)
Match lighting practice (how to light, how to hold)
Firesteel and fireball lesson
One-match fire
String burn fire
Silent fire
Five minute fire
Blindfolded fire
No-metal water boil challenge (gourds, hot rocks)
One wet stick fire
Intro to bow drill
Intro to hand drill
Bow drill / hand drill practice time
Straighten hand drill drills over a fire
Make fire starters (roll up cardboard and dryer lint; dip in wax)
Make a fuzz stick
Make a coal carrier tube
Intro to flint and steel fire making
Practice flint and steel fire making
Make char cloth
Fire fuel lesson: wet wood, “ultraflammables”
Pirate's Cursed Treasure challenge
Make fire in uncommon ways: lenses, batteries, etc.
Intro to banking a fire (DANGER - unattended fire overnight!)
Modify
Variations of the game.