Try the smart spark challenge
You’ll need
- Firewood
- Fire lighter (for example, matches or ferro rod)
- Pens or pencils
- A4 paper
- Clipboards
- Stopwatch or phone
- Pans
- Access to water
- Materials for windbreaks/reflectors (Such as tarps, foil blankets, cardboard, logs)
- Materials to support structures (pegs, poles, tape, rope)
- Fire bucket(s) with water or sand
- First aid kit
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.
- Remember to give a safety briefing for the cooking equipment and methods you’re using. You may wish to demonstrate the methods or activity before you all start cooking.
Planning and setting up this activity
- Be sensitive to any of your group’s living situations, as the topic of money or fuel poverty may be difficult for some people. Always let people know about this activity in advance and give people the chance to let you know if they’re not comfortable taking part or any adaptations they may need. Make sure everyone knows they can leave the activity at any point and look out for individuals. You may need to offer reassurance for anyone who’s upset. Always follow the Yellow Card.
- Make sure you’re staying safe. Find out more about fire safety in Scouts and managing a Safe Scouts premises for fire safety.
Fuel poverty happens when a household cannot afford to keep their home at a reasonable temperature, due to low income, high energy costs, and/or poor energy efficiency.
Insulation’s a material that slows down the movement of heat, helping keep hot things hot and cold things cold for a longer time. You can think of it like a barrier for your house or your drink. For example, when you use a flask to keep your soup warm or your drink cold, the thermos is made of insulating material that stops heat from escaping or getting in.
Heat naturally moves from warmer places to cooler places. If you have something hot, such as a cup of tea, the heat will try to spread to the cooler air around it. However, insulating materials stop or slow down that movement, keeping the heat inside the cup. The same goes for cold things, such as ice in a cooler, as insulation stops the warmer outside air from getting in and melting the ice.
Insulation acts like a barrier to keep the temperature where you want it—whether that's hot or cold. It also helps reduce energy costs and keeps homes warm, which is especially important for people dealing with fuel poverty.
| Topic | Housing Example | Camping Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel poverty | Can't afford to heat the whole house, so only one room is warm | Only have a small amount of firewood or gas to cook or keep warm |
| Using old electric heaters that cost a lot to run but give little warmth | Fire setup burns quickly or inefficiently, wasting fuel and needing constant tending | |
| Limited access to hot meals due to high energy bills | Can’t cook proper food because fuel is running low or heat isn't strong enough | |
| Avoiding hot showers to save on heating costs | No hot water for washing because of limited gas or no way to boil it | |
| Poorly maintained heating systems such as a broken boiler | Stove or fire doesn’t work well, making it hard to cook or stay warm | |
| Insulation | House has thin walls, single-glazed windows, and drafts that let heat escape | Thin tent walls or open shelter lets heat escape and wind in |
| No loft or wall insulation, so heat rises and is lost | No ground insulation, so body heat is lost through the cold ground | |
| Using rugs or curtains to help trap heat inside | Using sleeping mats, space blankets, or extra layers to trap heat in the tent | |
| Foam insulation or thermal curtains used to keep warmth in | Windbreaks, tarps, or reflectors used to hold heat near the fire or shelter | |
| Draught-proofing doors and windows | Blocking wind using backpacks, rocks, or foliage around the shelter |
Safety Information
- Always have water or a fire bucket nearby
- Keep the fire small and manageable
- Never use flammable liquids
- Clear the area around the fire
- Only light the fire when you're ready
- Tuck in loose clothing, scarves, and long hair
- Always behave calmly and responsibly near the fire
- Make sure nothing flammable is too close
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Fully extinguish the fire before leaving
Activity specific
- Ensure that no tarps, blankets, gear, or shelter walls are close enough to risk catching fire.
- Wind can carry flames or embers toward people or materials, always position shelters and gear accordingly.
- Make sure there is enough space for safe movement, and to stop heat from building up near flammable materials.
- A supervising adult should double-check all fire setups before lighting begins.
Running this activity
- Bring everyone together and start by asking the group to call out as many types of living spaces as they can think of, examples include houses, flats, hotels, caravans, tents, and more.
- Ask if anyone knows what fuel poverty means. If not, explain it simply with examples.
- Next, ask if they know what insulation is and briefly explain if needed.
- Explain that fuel poverty and insulation are issues that can affect anyone. For today’s activity, they’ll be applying these ideas to a camping scenario:
“Imagine you’re on an expedition. You’ve just finished a long hike, it’s cold, and you’ve stopped for the night. You need to get warm and cook something, but you don’t have much with you. How can you use what you have to stay warm, cook efficiently, and save fuel for tomorrow?” - Tell the group they’ll work in teams to earn points in four different areas:
- Fuel Efficiency: Build a fire that uses the least wood, but burns hot and clean.
- Warmth Retention: Create shelters or windbreaks that help keep heat in using minimal resources.
- Cooking: Boil water quickly and efficiently using limited fuel.
- Teamwork and safety: Demonstrate safe, respectful behaviour and good teamwork throughout the activity
- Take a few minutes to cover key fire safety points.
- Split the group into teams and give each team the resources they’ll need.
- Give teams time to think and plan their approach. Encourage them to consider:
- Where in the given space will they build their fire and shelter?
- How will they build their fire for maximum efficiency?
- Where will the windbreak be and how will it be built?
- How will they conserve fuel while still completing the tasks effectively?
- You can offer examples of fire structures and windbreak designs to inspire ideas.
- Once everyone is ready, let the teams begin. You can set a timer to see which team finish each stage first or the whole task. Points should be given for both time and quality of the completed task.
- Ensure responsible adults or leaders supervise all activities, especially fire-building and safety. Support and encourage safe, creative solutions throughout.
- Once the activity is complete, add up the scores and announce the winning team, you could award them a prize.
- Take time to reflect and discuss the challenge, what have they learnt about fuel poverty and insulation in both camping and at home environments.
- Ask the group to compare the biggest challenges and most efficient solutions for both camping and at home.
- Encourage ongoing awareness and action, how they could share what you’ve learned with family or friends, and how they can be energy-smart in their daily life.
A hot, clean-burning fire uses less fuel, produces less smoke, and gives off more useful heat
1. Teepee Fire
- Structure: Small sticks leaned together in a cone shape with tinder in the centre.
- Efficiency: Burns hot and fast, great for quick warmth or boiling water.
- Best for: Quick heat, boiling water, or starting a larger fire.
- Tip: Easy to light, but burns through fuel quickly unless maintained.
2. Log Cabin Fire
- Structure: Criss-crossed layers of wood like a square stack, with tinder and kindling in the middle.
- Efficiency: Burns steadily and creates good airflow.
- Best for: Cooking or keeping a steady fire going for longer periods.
- Tip: Combine with a teepee inside for an easy light and longer burn.
3. Lean-To Fire
- Structure: A larger log placed down as a base or windbreak, with smaller sticks leaned against it.
- Efficiency: Good in windy conditions or when using minimal materials.
- Best for: Windy weather or teaching basic structure with fewer resources.
- Tip: Keep your tinder dry and tucked into the sheltered side.
4. Star Fire
- Structure: Large logs laid out in a star shape, with ends meeting in the middle over the fire.
- Efficiency: Very fuel-conserving — push logs inward as they burn.
- Best for: Long-lasting fires with minimal wood use.
- Tip: Needs a well-established flame to start, but ideal for energy efficiency.
5. Upside-Down Fire (Top-Down Fire)
- Structure: Large logs on the bottom, medium sticks on top, kindling and tinder at the very top.
- Efficiency: Burns downward slowly, produces less smoke, and needs less tending.
- Best for: Minimal maintenance, efficient long burns.
- Tip: Great for beginners.
6. Dakota Fire Hole (Advanced / for older groups or demos)
- Structure: Two holes dug in the ground — one for the fire, one for air intake, connected by a tunnel.
- Efficiency: Extremely efficient and windproof; produces little smoke.
- Best for: conserving fuel, or windy conditions.
- Tip: Requires digging, so not always suitable.
Ensure that no materials are so close to the fire that they are of risk of catching alight.
1. Natural Material Wall
- Description: A simple wall built using logs, sticks, or rocks found nearby.
- How it helps: Blocks wind directly and reflects heat back toward the fire or person.
- Tip: Build it on the windward side (where the wind is coming from). Stack materials tightly to reduce gaps.
2. Tarp or Blanket Windbreak
- Description: A tarp, groundsheet, foil blanket, or heavy cloth tied between trees or sticks.
- How it helps: Easy to set up and very effective in blocking wind.
- Tip: Angle it slightly to direct wind over the fire/shelter rather than catching it like a sail.
3. Reflective Heat Wall
- Description: A wall made of logs, foil, or rocks placed behind the fire (on the opposite side of people).
- How it helps: Blocks wind and reflects heat back toward the group.
- Tip: Line with aluminium foil if available for maximum heat reflection.
4. Backpack or Gear Wall
- Description: Stack rucksacks, sleeping pads, or other gear in a line to form a barrier.
- How it helps: Quick and resourceful way to shield against wind when you don’t have natural materials or a tarp.
- Tip: Place gear at a safe distance from the fire to avoid damage.
5. Half Shelter Windbreak
- Description: Build a lean-to or half shelter using branches and leaves on the wind-facing side.
- How it helps: Dual purpose as a wind protection and partial shelter.
- Tip: Angle it low and tight to the ground for best effect.
6. Rock Ring (Mini Windbreak)
- Description: Circle of stones around a small fire.
- How it helps: Helps block lower-level wind and keeps heat in a small area.
- Tip: Great for boiling water or cooking with minimal resources. Not so good for keeping bodies sheltered round the fire.
| Setting | Biggest Challenges | Most Efficient Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Camping |
|
|
| At Home |
|
|
SCORING SYSTEM
0 = Not Completed
1 = Completed but Inefficient
2 = Efficient
Fuel Efficiency Task (Max: 10 points)
Goal: Build a fire (or mock fire) that burns hot and clean using the least fuel.
- Fire structure is stable and well-built
- Uses minimal fuel / efficient design
- Burns cleanly with little smoke
- Team explains why their fire is efficient
- Creative or thoughtful design
Warmth Retention Challenge Scoring Points (Max: 10 points)
Goal: Create a shelter or windbreak that keeps heat in effectively using minimal resources.
- Shelter or windbreak provides clear protection from wind
- Smart use of materials (natural or provided)
- Shows understanding of insulation principles
- Maintains a safe distance from the fire
- Creative or thoughtful design
Boil Water Challenge (Max: 10 points)
Goal: Boil a set amount of water quickly and efficiently using limited fuel.
- Water reaches boiling point
- Boils water quickly (efficient use of fuel/time)
- Uses minimal fuel efficiently
- Safe cooking method
- Team explains their method
Teamwork & Safety (Max: 6 points)
Goal: Demonstrate safe, respectful behaviour and good teamwork throughout the activity.
- Demonstrates good teamwork and cooperation
- Behaves safely and respectfully around the fire
- Keeps area tidy and cleans up responsibly
Reflection
This activity was all about learning how to stay warm and use fuel efficiently, whether camping or at home. What are some things you’re going to remember about saving fuel and keeping warm without wasting energy? Are there any tips you could share with the people you live with?
Everyone had the chance to build fires, make shelters, and think about how to use resources carefully. What was it like working as a team? Did you enjoy the challenge? What did you find tricky or difficult? If something didn’t work out as planned, how did you handle it? Did you help someone else, or did someone help you?
Are you happy with how your fire or shelter worked? What would you do differently next time? You practised skills that help save energy and protect the environment. What other practical skills would you like to learn that could help in everyday life?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.
- Hot items and hot water
Kettles, cookers and microwave ovens produce a lot of heat by the very nature of them. Caution is needed when in contact with items that have been heated and young people should use them under adult supervision. Use on a suitable surface, protecting it if necessary. Never leave hot items unattended and make sure there’s a nearby first aid kit, with items to treat burns/scalds.
- Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious risk, so make sure you cook or use appliances in a properly ventilated area. If you need a sheltered cooking area, consider an open sided gazebo, dining shelter or a marquee that has sufficient air circulation and ventilation. Take a look at our further guidance on carbon monoxide.
- Fires and stoves
Make sure anyone using fires and stoves is doing so safely. Check that the equipment and area are suitable and have plenty of ventilation. Follow the gas safety guidance. Have a safe way to extinguish the fire in an emergency.
- Cooking
Teach young people how to use cooking equipment safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Make sure it’s safe to use and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for use.
- Food
Remember to check for allergies, eating problems, fasting or dietary requirements and adjust the recipe as needed. Make sure you’ve suitable areas for storing and preparing food and avoid cross contamination of different foods. Take a look at our guidance on food safety and hygiene.
- Visits away from your meeting place
Complete a thorough risk assessment and include hazards, such as roads, woodland, plants, animals, and bodies of water (for example, rivers, ponds, lakes, and seas). You’ll probably need more adult helpers than usual. Your risk assessment should include how many adults you need. The young people to adult ratios are a minimum requirement. When you do your risk assessment, you might decide that you need more adults than the ratio specifies. Think about extra equipment that you may need to take with you, such as high visibility clothing, a first aid kit, water, and waterproofs. Throughout the activity, watch out for changes in the weather and do regular headcounts.
- Outdoor activities
You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.
- To make this easier, you could ask groups to go one at a time and they could learn from each other. You could do this challenge inside without flames and they could create a mock fire challenge with LED lights and materials.
- To make this harder, you could expand the challenge and get them to cook a real meal or a hot drink. You could also change the areas in which they build the shelter, such as more open ground with possible breezes.
This activity can be adapted to suit everyone’s needs, including those who may prefer to avoid fire, heat, or smoke, or those with hearing, visual, or physical disabilities. Young people can take part through alternative roles such as designing shelter models, contributing to planning, leading the quiz, timing challenges, or helping score points. A fire-free version using models, mock setups, or indoor materials can be run instead, ensuring everyone can join in safely, comfortably, and meaningfully. Make sure everyone is aware of the tasks before you begin so accommodations can be made.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
If you enjoyed this activity, check out our other activities in partnership with the Gas Distribution Network.
Young people could create their own challenges or take ownership of their new knowledge by designing fun activities for their peers. They might develop tutorials or run workshops to share what they’ve learned about fuel poverty, insulation, and fire safety.
Alternatively, they could start a community project to help people in their local area save energy, stay warm, or use fuel more efficiently.