BEC: Finding Fire with the Daredevil's Club

Every culture, if we dig deep enough, has a myth about the quest for Fire. Encoded in these stories is a memory important enough that millennia of our people have passed it on so that we could all remember that there was a time when we had no fire. We must remember that there was a time when this element was a rare occurrence, and its genesis was wholly mysterious to us. In many forms, we have passed on this memory with the story of a theft of the fire and then a relay race passing from one animal to another. These big teachings from our ancestors seem to point to a couple things. First, fire was hard-won knowledge and it took such skillful observation of the natural world that it was almost like stealing a secret. Second, it takes an entire natural community to make fire.

How apparent these lessons were in the driving rain, the cold, and the night. The Daredevil’s Club assembled for their first outing of the season ready for a night adventure and a deepening of this ancient knowledge. We were in some of the most challenging conditions for starting a fire, and, once we had all gathered, it was apparent that we had some work to do before dark. There were new members to meet and bring into the fold, some reunions with seasoned Explorers, and the need to get an overview of the outing and the coming season. The Daredevil’s Club was aware of this, and they took charge right off the bat. No mentors in front, no directed leadership, just an able group spontaneously guiding itself charged down the trail until we came to a good stopping point for an opening meeting.

We stepped off to the side and just as we were about to get down to it, someone yelled Hide! As expected, everyone scattered and buried themselves in mud or moss. What a great way to get off the trail and get connected! When we gathered again, Explorers decided to circleup and get down to business. Names were exchanged and the basic culture was explained and agreed upon. We promptly then turned our minds toward the waning light, the cold rain, and the need for fire. Explorers were given a new job today: the firekeeper.  One Explorer held a matchbook with 5 matches.  We split off into three groups, and were given the challenge of gathering materials for a fire in 5 minutes. We also agreed to only gather with a good mindset and good relationship with the land.

Explorers scoured the woods in all directions, looking for what might ignite.  When we regrouped, we shared our findings. Cedar was a common ally. Some gathered cedar bark, which makes a good nest for a bow or hand drill coal. Some gathered hemlock. Some gathered wood from stumps, and some gathered giant limbs. We learned right off the bat how important plant ID is. Hemlock, it turns out, has small twigs that will ignite in the toughest conditions. Rotten wood holds water and does not burn well. Green wood or leaves don’t burn either. The outer edge of cedar bark can hold water, moss, and sometimes even has some rot.  Then we introduced the Explorers to “fat wood.” This pitch-rich remnant of a douglas fir is the key to starting fires in wet conditions. Ask your Explorer what he can remember about this wood, perhaps the smell will trigger his memory.

So, the rain came down harder and harder, and we huddled around to try our matches to the fatwood. This was a huge teaching moment. That fatwood did burn for a moment, and would have started a fire if we had good rain shelter and a good setup. But, the challenge was for Explorers to see where they are at now, and to understand the need. We learned about lighting matches in the rain, and about sheltering your kindling. In the next outings, we can revisit our experience and learn how to keep our tools dry and make an excellent fire in all conditions.

Then the night hit. The cold hit. And, for some of us, the fear hit. The beauty of these first night outings is that they are an edge-stretcher. They are not care-free and easy, but they are the outings that teach us our greatest strengths. They teach us how to find power in a challenge, how to express our fears and discomforts without attaching our entire experience to them, and how to help one another. Explorers did an amazing job here. We hiked in the rain and the dark, even played a few simple games, learned how to “see” in the dark, and made some solid decisions as a group.

The whole group seemed to hit an edge of discomfort, and then to rebound. As we approached the parking lot area, we even paused to play some games and to recognize that we had overcome challenges with grace and empowerment. Ask your Explorers about pirate’s eyes or about the challenge to sneak up on parents! In our closing meeting, we held a circle of thanks and a recognition that we did find fire. We found the most primal fire of all: the fire inside!  

Much thanks to all Explorers for your courage and resilience.  Much thanks to all families for your enduring support.  Be sure to check out pics (not many!) of the outing in our photo gallery.