Scouts: Winter fire challenge activity

This is a description of an activity that we did with our scouts this winter during a winter camp. It takes at least a couple of hours but can easily take half a day. It encourages team work, fire lighting skills, lashing skills and basic problem solving.


Winter Camp Activity (3 hours)

1. Divide the group into 3 or 4 patrols. (mixing both Troops)

2. Each group with a leader(s) will head off to a predetermined location.

3. Each group will need the following supplies:

• Rope
• Matches
• Enough poles to build an A-frame (any device to boil water) and a stretcher
• A can to melt snow
• Snow shoes
• Buck saw
• Hatchet

4. Each group must complete the following tasks prior to leaving site:

• Build and A-frame with supporting posts
• Build stretcher for carrying water can
• Build two fires (Fire A for boiling water, Fire B maintain to stay in game)
• Snow must be all melted in can prior to leaving

5. Once all tasks at site the group is required to do the following

• Using the stretcher to carry the water the group must attempt to put out the fire of the other group
• Maintain Fire B, making it more difficult to be put out
• Refill bucket as many time as possible to put out as many fires as they can
• Groups can break up how they see fit to both put out other fires, as well as maintain their own
• Leaders at each site will keep track of how many successful fires were extinguished

Things to suggest or encourage:

1. Work together as a team
2. Come up with a plan first
3. Decide on rolls for each person
4. Make sure to have lots of wood