Ignite: Firemaking & Bushcraft (Secondary)

Students will learn how to safely handle fire tools, harvest or prepare natural materials, and build reliable fires with intention and care.

Alongside these skills, students will participate in sensory awareness games and nature connection practices such as fox walking and wide-angle vision. These activities help young people drop into the landscape, slow down, and observe with greater presence — key elements in both bushcraft and life.

We’ll also cover foundational carving and knife safety, how to create a tinder bundle, and the basic principles of respectful harvesting and fire safety.

By the end of the week, students will have a deeper understanding of how fire is made using natural materials, how it fits into the rhythms of nature, and how to work with it responsibly. They’ll also develop an expanded awareness of their own bodies and the landscape around them — learning to move with greater presence, attune their senses, and feel more at home in the natural world.

This course nurtures not just practical ability, but a sense of care and responsibility toward the elements and the environments they’re part of.

By the end of the course, students will take home their own primitive fire-making kit, which will include a hand drill, base board, and a bow drill set. These are crafted throughout the week as they learn and refine their skills. In addition to their physical kit, students will leave with the ability to use a ferro rod confidently, understand the foundations of fire-by-friction, and have practiced techniques like tinder bundle preparation, fire lays, and natural material selection.

They’ll also take home a deeper sense of confidence, body awareness, and connection to the natural world — and the knowledge that they can make fire with their own hands, from the land around them.

All fire-making tools, including knives, will be provided.

Please bring the following on your first day of class:

• Seat or sitting mat – e.g. lightweight camp stool, foam pad, or small fold-out chair

• Weather-appropriate clothing – eg. sunhat, breathable shirt, and raincoat or poncho (sessions will continue in light rain)

• Closed-toe shoes – suitable for walking, running, and outdoor play

• Water bottle – at least 1 litre

• Packed lunch and snacks – no refrigeration available

• Notebook and pencil/pen – optional, for drawing or journaling nature observations

• Small backpack or day bag – to carry all personal items comfortably

No experience required

NOTE: THIS IS A PLAN ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

DAY ONE: Introduction to Fire & Awareness

We begin by building trust, connection, and group agreements. Through games and storytelling, we introduce the history and importance of fire. Students will learn the basics of fire safety, the fire triangle, and begin working with the ferro rod. We’ll also introduce fox walking and wide-angle vision to help students slow down and tune in to the landscape with greater awareness.

DAY TWO: Tinder Bundles & Ferro Rod Mastery

Students will gather and prepare natural materials to create their own tinder bundles. We’ll dive deeper into ferro rod technique, learning how to build a sustainable fire from spark to flame. Sensory games and nature-based challenges will support students to sharpen their observation and movement skills in the bush.

DAY THREE: Hand Drill Foundations

We introduce hand drill fire-making: how to craft spindles and fire boards, and how to use the technique with patience and persistence. Students will practice the rhythm and pressure needed, while continuing to refine their awareness through playful tracking and listening games. Knife safety and introductory carving will begin.

DAY FOUR: Bow Drill & Deep Practice

Students are introduced to the bow drill: how it’s constructed, how it differs from hand drill, and how to use it effectively. We’ll continue skill-building through repetition, team support, and feedback. Nature-based movement and solo observation time will be included to deepen personal connection to the environment.

DAY FIVE: Integration & Celebration

On the final day, students will refine their chosen fire-making method, build fires in pairs or small groups, and reflect on what they’ve learned. We’ll close with a group fire (if appropriate), celebrating the effort, growth, and courage it took to learn these ancient skills. Students will leave with new abilities, expanded awareness, and a deeper connection to themselves and the land.