Scouts Firelighting Day – Sunday 13th September 2009

For once this year the sun shone on the District as a number of Scouts from 4 Troops ( 3rd, 8th Inca, 10th and 16th)  took part in a Firelighting skills day at the 10th Worcester HQ at Crown East. 

14 Scouts took part in a day where they learned all about safety (including the correct clothing to wear when working around fires), how to use an axe and a saw, the burning properties of wood, the use of flints and matches as well as having a quiz to test their knowledge.

Working in small groups, throughout the day, the Scouts had the chance to try their hand at using a bow saw and if they were wearing the correct clothing and boots, how to use an axe. They each tried making a different type of fire and were given the challenge to light it with one match. This is where they learned about the value of the fluff which gets left behind in a tumble drier. This makes excellent dry material to start a fire and many will now be keen to clean up their family tumble drier to take the fluff to camp with them. It did work as well – all fires were lit with either one match or by striking a flint onto the fluff and this placed in the dry leaves and bark strippings/kindling the scouts had gathered and prepared.

This was followed by a demonstration (by the leaders) of what happens to nylon clothing when “introduced” to fire and also how quickly a tent catches light. The scouts were amazed at the speed by which both were reduced to flames. They were also given a demonstration, again by leaders, of the dangers of throwing various substances onto a lit fire.

All the Scouts took home a certificate to show their newly acquired knowledge and skills. They all voted the day a success and promised to tell the rest of the Troop about what they had learned.

Thanks must go to Scout Fellowship members – Keith and Ann Burkert and Jack Ryan, together with Nigel Watkinson SL 10th Worcester, Andrew Jenkins SL 16th Worcester and Rob Howe CSL 1st Worcester for giving up their time again to help the Scouts acquire more skills in a safe and secure environment. The attached photographs give a flavour of the day but if any leader would like a video and workbook of the day, please contact Nigel Watkinson who, for a small fee, will make a copy available to you.

Jan Hayden

District Commissioner.