Bare Essentials

I was doing my first 'official' activity with the Cub Scouts tonight as part of my validation of the training already completed.
It was on Fire Safety, prompted by our smoke alarms going off 2 weeks ago while we 'cooked' pancakes.
Calling on my years of providing customer training and doing presentations I put together an instructive, interactive session with handouts and homework.
It was kept lighthearted as fire can be scary to 9 year old, but focused on the seriousness of it all.
I decided to start with explaining the concept of the fire triangle and the idea that if one of fuel, air or ignition are removed you cannot have a fire:

• Bagherra - So there are three things which you must have if you are going to have a fire. Anyone know what they are?
• Cub1 - Logs? or wood?
• B - Yes that's 1. You must have fuel. Another?
• Cub2 - Matches?
• B - Very Good. Matches are a source of ignition. Or you can rub sticks together, or lightning bolt, or electric heater, or lots of other ways. Whats the last thing?
• Cub3 - Marshmallows! You have to have marshmallows with a fire. We always do.

 No matter how prepared you think you are you cannot prepare for the thought processes of a 9 year old sugar fiend.

You can only make them stand outside in the rain while you explain why they have to wait there until they get the all clear.