Outdoor Skills

A feather stick turns one ordinary dry stick into a fistful of fine curls that catch a spark almost as fast as store-bought tinder. It takes five minutes to learn and a pocketknife, and it is one of the most satisfying fire-starting skills any family can add to their camp routine.

One match is all it takes when your tinder is right and your kindling is stacked with intention. This page walks families through the fire-building fundamentals that turn a single flame into a lasting campfire, with a quick backyard drill to sharpen the skill before you ever leave home.

Putting a campfire completely out is one of the most important skills a family can learn together, and it takes less than fifteen minutes to do right. The rule is simple: drown it, stir it, feel it. If the ash is cold to the touch, you are done.