Vision
These classes are offered as a safe, structured, and focused way for children to learn the basics of two outdoor skills: using a sheath knife and starting a fire with a bow drill. Because the materials are portable (see photo) and my time is flexible, while many families are more scheduled, I'm offering a parent-organized class held either in my backyard or at a location you select. Email me when you're ready to work on the details: John Rible <knifeandfire@sandpipers.com>.

Class size and Schedule
The class is for up to four Sky children. The five two-hour classes (details below) each build upon the skills learned in the previous class meetings.

The classes have worked well when held on consecutive weekends, weekly, or even on an irregular basis, depending on the prospective participant families' schedules. I don't recommend fewer, longer, classes because of fatigue.

Children will be accepted into the knife and fire class conditionally, pending the demonstration of appropriate behavioral and motor skills during the first hour of the first meeting.

Parent Responsibilities
The class includes class materials, an 8" sheath knife, and a bow drill kit.

Observing parents are always welcome. Parents are required to sign the Parent Agreement (see page 2) and arrange to have their children at the site 5-10 minutes before the class starting time and picked up within 15 minutes of the ending time.

The signed Parent Agreement must be brought to the first class.

Class Activities
Each class will be a mix of whole-group instruction and supervised individual practice. They will begin with a stretching circle, have a midway break, and end with a closing circle. Participants should dress for meeting outdoors and bring water and a snack. The following is a typical class schedule:

Knife
1st class

• 1st hour: practice knife safety rules and evaluate readiness, using a butter knife and Ivory soap


• 2nd hour: knife care and sharpening; whittling (large muscle) and carving (small muscle) practice 

2nd class

• 1st hour: more practice whittling and carving


• 2nd hour: start working on bow drill parts [homework: bring a branch for a bow to the next class]

3rd class

• 1st hour: whittle and carve remaining bow drill parts


• 2nd hour: assemble bow and start bowing to "burn-in" the fireboard; [homework: practice bowing]

Fire
4th class

• 1st hour: carve fireboard notch; talk about fire safety, science, and history


• 2nd hour: build "one-match" fire; practice bowing; [homework: more practice bowing]

5th class

• 1st hour: prepare tinder bundles, make fire with group bow drill, blow bundles into flame


• 2nd hour: explore other ways to make fire; cook and eat snack brought by participants (and surprise)

Since the children will bring a range of knowledge, experience, and ability to the class, each child will likely progress at a different rate. Some "advanced" projects will be available or may be brought by the students so all stay engaged.

Certificate
All children accepted into the class will be eligible to earn a certificate attesting to their ability to use both knives and fire properly. However, awarding the certificate is at the sole discretion of the instructor.

Instructor
John Rible learned to whittle from one of his grandfathers and to carve from the other. He's a former Eagle Scout and Boy Scout Leader, has taught about fire in public elementary schools, and currently co-teaches a nature-based outdoor class