Last week we kicked off the winter season of UnSchool here at the Green Mountain Audubon Center with a snowy and cold day of fire-building.
As everyone arrived, we worked together to collect sticks of various sizes for our fire building lesson later. One pile held the smallest, mouse tail sized sticks to be used as tinder to get the fire going once it is lit. The next pile held pencil to marker sized sticks to be used as kindling to make the fire bigger once it started burning. The final pile held the biggest sticks to be used as fuel to keep the fire going once it got big. By the time we were ready to start morning meeting, all three piles were overflowing with sticks ready to be built into fires.
After snack, we gathered by the fire circle at Forest Camp to begin our fire-building lesson. Half the group, those who felt comfortable using matches, started by trying to light a cotton ball with flint and steel. Flint and steel make a spark as you scrape one against the other. This works because flint is harder than steel so as you strike the two together, small pieces of iron from the steal flake off and oxidize instantly as they are exposed to air, creating heat and a spark. This spark can be used to light tinder and start a fire. More information about how flint and steel works can be found in this article: Why does striking flint against steel start a fire? | Live Science. Everyone who tried the flint and steel last week was able to light their cotton ball on fire.
The other group started by learning how to use matches to light a cotton ball. While some picked up on the method quickly, for others it was a greater challenge. What’s wonderful about learning about matches outdoors in the winter is that you can learn in a highly controlled environment. We placed cotton balls in metal tins on the ground surrounded by snow crouching low to keep everything close. I know that fire can be scary for some kids, so while I always encourage them to try lighting a match, I also tell them that they don’t have to if they are not comfortable, and that they can always try later if they change their minds. Last week, however, everyone successfully lit their cotton ball with a match. When asked how it felt, one student said “It feels really good. And scary.” I love hearing this because it is through trying hard things that confidence grows.
Everyone spent a while longer building their fires (a challenging task with so many wet and snowy sticks) before we transitioned into free play in the forest. Kids climbed on fallen trees, had an enthusiastic snowball fight, and helped Truman build a fire for making tea. When everyone was appropriately muddy, cold, and hungry, we loaded them all up with mint tea and maple syrup and walked back to the barn for lunch.
After lunch, we gathered in the front yard for a bow drill demonstration and lesson. A bow drill creates embers by spinning a wooden spindle in a notch on a baseboard to create friction. The process is very difficult, yet everyone was highly engaged. They worked together in groups with everyone getting a few spins in. We are planning to bring the sets out again sometime and let everyone give it another try. You can find more information about bow drills and how to make your own with this video from our UnSchool teacher, Truman: How to Make a Bow Drill Fire.
