Lighting the Fire

Lighting the Fire

Source: Campfire Ceremonies - Troop Program Resources (scouting.org) 

Everyone loves to see the fire lit. How it’s lit is an opportunity to start things off in really good form. A word to the wise: always have a backup plan in place, just in case a prepared approach or technique fails to work. As always, have readily accessible fire extinguishing materials on hand.

Torch Lighting

• It’s easy to fashion a simple torch from a wadded ball of dry tinder tied to a stick with binder twine. You can also surround the end of a stick with a large ball of cotton smothered in petroleum jelly and secured with light wire. Prior to the campfire, test a duplicate of the torch to make sure it will suffice. When the time comes, the assigned torch bearer ignites the torch nearby and ceremoniously walks to the fire lay. Then, they hold the flaming end on top of or into the fire lay, depending on the type constructed. Always have a filled fire bucket safely on hand, whenever using a torch.

Magic Fire Lighting

• The basic notion behind “magically” lighting a fire is to get the fire started, apparently, without actually touching it, but instead, calling upon the Great Spirit to light it. Over the years, many methods have been employed, some of which consist of mechanical contrivances that, depending on how they’re put together and set up, can be complicated to build and potentially difficult to pull off.

• One such method, consisting of a battery with wires attached to a spring impregnated with numerous match heads, has been used with varying degrees of success. Another, method utilizing (for example) a six volt battery that puts out 5 amps, with 15 feet of of wire connected to Grade #0000 steel wool wrapped in cotton and surrounded by light tinder is also, to varying degrees, reliable. When lighting a fire in this fashion, it’s crucial that the tinder is fluffy and dry, and is placed strategically with enough air space to ignite the surrounding material.

• “Magically” lighting a fire is a grand experience. When it works, Scouts get a big kick out of it. If it doesn’t, have a backup plan in place (like a Scouter in a bear costume ready to make the scene with a lighter or torch).

Flaming Arrow

• This technique requires the right conditions, planning, and lots of necessary preparation, but the results can be outstanding! The fire lay must be configured as a teepee or pyramid.

• Drive a stake into the ground and build up the tinder, kindling, and fuel around it. As these materials are put in place, leave an opening where a line will be extending out from the the stake inside the fire lay. If desired, strew a large quantity of matches in that vicinity.

• Securely tie one end of a length of monofilament fishing line to the stake. Reeve the other end through the holes of two same-sized sewing thread spools. Tightly tie a target arrow or arrow-lengthed dowel to the spools. Surround the tip of the arrow with a large, compressed wad of cotton and attach it securely in place with light wire. Saturate the cotton with petroleum jelly.

• From the stake, run the fishing line up to a nearby high point, (a tall, stable ladder, or natural berm) that will be obscured from the troop’s view when it’s time to light the fire. Tie the other end tightly to the high point so the line is completely taut. The angle from the high point to the fire should be sufficient to ensure the arrow will slide rapidly and smoothly down to, and through, the prepared opening in the fire lay to the stake.

• Test the arrow’s ability to slide to it’s mark and add weight and/or make adjustments as necessary to assure an impressive flight after it’s lit.

• Before the ceremony, a leader needs to be safely perched at the high point with the arrow and a lighter, and ready to send the flaming arrow on its path to the fire at the appropriate time.

• Always have a filled fire bucket safely on hand, both at the high point and down by the fire, whenever presenting this fire lighting procedure.

Enhancing the lighting of the Campfire

• Recited expressively, just before the fire is lit:
  Near our campfire circle stand the wigwams of our campers.
  Dark behind them stands the forest, stands the chestnut, oak and hemlock,
  Stand the pines with cones upon them.
  Many things we learn and do here:
  How the Great Spirit cares for all His faithful children,
  Cares for all the forest people.
  Learn they of the stars in heaven,
  Of the birds that fly and nest here,
  Learns the language of all creatures
  Call them friends whene’er they meet them.
  Oh, Great Spirit, then, in Heaven,
  Send us flame to light our campfire
  That we may for this be grateful.
  Oh, Great Spirit, this we ask Thee,
  Send us fire, and we shall praise Thee.

• This may be recited just before the fire is lit by a Scout (or other character) carrying a flaming torch, or a flaming arrow sent from a high point. It also can be slowly recited while using the battery and steel wool firelighting technique.

Gifts from the Scout Oath

• Leader: (standing in front of the fire lay, carrying a simple torch and a lighter.) Tonight, to ensure our campfire burns true, we will bestow upon it three gifts.
  Three Scouts approach the fire lay. Each carries within their cupped hands a compacted bundle of very dry tinder mixed with light kindling. One at a time, they step up to the fire site, and before placing their bundle into the log cabin fire lay, they deliver the following lines, loud and clear:

  • First Scout: Duty to God and Country and to obey the Scout Law

  • Second Scout: Duty to help other people at all times

  • Third Scout: Duty to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight

• After each has placed their bundle into the fire lay, the leader proceeds to set the fire ablaze with the torch.