The Ancient Embers: Fire Building Basics Class will begin as a discussion regarding the basics you should know when planning and building a fire. This portion will be mainly stationary and outdoors, so make sure you have appropriate clothing for the weather. Likewise, some locations will not have established seating areas, so some instruction may be given while standing or seated on the ground.
After the discussion portion, the instructor will build a fire as an example. Participants will then be split into groups of two or three to test the skills we have learned in a hands-on way. Depending on the skill level of the group, discussion and hands on portions may be extended or shortened to accommodate the class. Students should plan to squat, kneel, sit, and stand on dirt ground.
Schedule of Classes (Pending Site Approval)
October 10, 2026 – 11 AM
November 7, 2026 – 11 AM
December 5, 2026 – 11 AM
March 13, 2027 – 11 AM
Example Class Agenda
10:00 AM Arrival + Grounding ~15–20 min
10:20 AM Fire Fundamentals ~30–40 min
11:00 AM Safety + Site Selection ~20 min
11:20 AM Instructor Demo: One Fire, Slowly ~20 min
11:40 AM Hands-On Practice: Supported Builds ~60–90 min
Varies – Food Break + Warmth + Reflection ~20 min
1:30 PM Second Build: Choice + Adaptation ~45–60 min
2:30 PM Extinguishing + Leave No Trace ~20 min
2:50 PM Closing Circle + Takeaways ~15 min
3:05 PM Head Home
Pricing and Payment
$125 per participant
You will receive an e-mail requesting payment for your class within 24 hours of your enrollment form submission. Payment must be received to confirm your spot in the class, and classes are generally capped at 12 participants. You will receive a confirmation e-mail when your payment is received with additional information about your class.
Please check your spam mail, and if you do not receive an invoice, e-mail us at firstforestoutventures@gmail.com.
All payments and refund requests must be made at least 24 hours before the class begins.
What to Bring
First Forest Outventures will Provide:
- Sitting pads for time spent in discussion if no seating is available on site.
- Some snacks (usually a granola bar and bag of chips)
- Water (to fill your own water container)
- Wood, tinder
- Matches, lighter
- Informative Handouts
- Guided Instruction
- A First Forest Outventures vinyl sticker
- Hats / Gloves / handwarmers (as needed in cold weather, limited availability)
- Instructor will carry a first aid kit with burn supplies
What to Bring
- Water bottle
- Sun screen
- Bug spray
- Sunglasses
- Sturdy close-toed shoes with tread
- Hair ties, bandana or headband for long hair
- Long sleeve shirt, long pants
- Jackets, hats, and gloves in cold weather
- A positive attitude, and the desire to learn and have fun
What Leave at Home
- Children or pets
- Flip flops/sandals, clogs/crocs, open toed shoes, or shoes without tread
- Music or headphones (you must be able to hear instruction at all times)
- Perfume, cologne, or strong scented sprays
- Thin synthetic fiber clothing (these may melt, causing injury)
- Accelerants (gas, lighter fluid, etc)
- Drugs or alcohol
- A negative, discriminatory, disrespectful, or threatening attitude
Rules
- Obey all location rules (events may happen in public or private parks with their own rules).
- You must follow instruction from First Forest Outventures staff at all times.This ensures participant safety, and environmental protection.
- Those who have not pre-enrolled, children under 18, and pets (even if they are very well behaved) are not able to join classes. Trained service animals will be permitted to accompany participants with a disability, but prior notice is required on the enrollment form for planning purposes. Therapy and emotional support animals are not permitted.
- No headphones or amplified music.
- Refunds will not be granted for weather related conditions if the class goes on.
- Bring a positive attitude. No discriminatory, hateful, or threatening statements or behaviors will be tolerated. Participants behaving in this way will be expelled from the class without a refund.
- Fires can be slow and frustrating to start at first. Be patient with yourself and other participants, and offer encouragement.
- Do not light fires outside of designated areas or before instructed.
- Do not light matches or flick lighters unless trying to light a supervised fire.
FAQ
Do classes go on in bad weather? – While “bad weather” is subjective, the short answer is yes, classes may run in rain or shine. However, they may be cancelled or delayed due to dangerous weather conditions such as high winds, thunder and lightning, extremely heavy rains which may impair participants ability to build a fire, temperatures over 95 degrees or under 40 degrees.
Can I bring a friend who will pay on site? – No, all participants must have enrolled in the class prior to the event date so First Forest Outventures LLC can review enrollment form details, collect payment online, and pre-plan based on collected information. Please encourage them to attend a future class.
Can I smoke cigarettes? – You may smoke or vape. Please step away from the group if smoking or vaping, as second-hand smoke or vapors from nicotine products are harmful to those around you. Please make sure you pack your cigarette butts away and do not litter in the forest. Cigarette butts and packages are plastic and may not be thrown in fires for disposal.
What if I am late? – You may join the class when you arrive, but you must be present for all safety portions of the discussion to take part in the activity. No portions of the class will be delayed for late participants. No refunds will be given for late arrival or early departure.
What about using the bathroom? – In some cases there may be restroom facilities at certain locations. If no restrooms are available, we will go over using the restroom outside respectfully and using leave no trace principles.
Ancient Embers Enrollment Form (Not Currently Enrolling)
