In Scouting we use the term backwoods to describe somewhere away from towns or habitation. Its more often used to describe an area of wild country usually within the woodlands of Canada or America, but could equally be used for areas like the Veldt or plains, the Australian bush or the vast forests of Europe. The craft of backwoodsmanship is the ability to live in harmony with nature in these out of the way places. This is done by living off the land, and adapting to the changing seasons, making yourself comfortable where others would find it difficult to survive, but its not survival.

In Scouting its camping away from a traditional campsite, with the least amount of equipment for your needs,  cooking over fires and using natural materials wherever possible to make yourself comfortable, usually in the form of gadgets. As you become more experienced you can even make your own shelter, or in the summer months just sleep under the stars, the main thing is to enjoy yourself without the drudgeries of every day living.  

First you must learn how to light a fire, there are a number of different ways to start a fire but for the beginner its best if you use matches. The number of people who say to me I can light a fire and then fail! never ceases to amaze me, fire lighting is something you must practise, and when I say practise this must be done under all whether conditions. The first thing you must get used to, is, its no use trying to cut corners, there's a standard procedure for building a good fire, and if you stick to it you'll never have any problems, regardless of the whether conditions so lets look at what you must do.

Never light fires in an area where it is prohibited to have one. But you shouldn’t have any problems, having inspected your site before and made the necessary arrangements with the land owner so you can light one. First let’s look for the best place to build it, never build your fire on peaty soil, fire can travel great distances under ground, and burn for years. And don’t build it under low lying trees, or near bushes, and shrubs, also be careful of tree roots close to the surface, the best place is somewhere void of any other combustibles, clear the area of dry grass and leaves etc. I prefer an area of green grass where I can take out a number of sods, to put back once I have finished. The art of having a fire is being able to leave it looking as though no one has been there. Ok you have found your site, and it complies with all the safety aspects, I was not going to mention this because I thought it was obvious, but having talked to a number of people apparently its not. When lighting, or working with a fire, never ware flammable clothing for obvious reasons, if in doubt read labels, or ask, usually manufacturers state if something is none flammable, but don’t take chances especially with children!

Lighting a fire with a match, this is not as simple as it might seem; first there's a number of different types on the market. Including safety matches, and so-called strike-anywhere matches, even storm proof matches, but whatever match you use, the same principle when using them applies. Having prepared your tinder and kindling, strike the match, the best way is to draw the match towards you with your middle finger supporting it at the back. This will help to stop it from braking. Contrary to what most people will tell you I have found this is the best way for me, normally you will be told to strike it away from you for safety reasons, but if you are careful and take your time this should not be a problem. (As long as you have remembered not to ware flammable clothing) Having ignited it, the flame must be shielded from the wind between both hands, (do not put the match box down at this stage) wait till the matchstick is burning, this is very important, its bad habit to try and ignite your tinder/kindling before the match is properly burning. At this point introduce the flame to the tinder/kindling, do not be tempted to push the match into it, because chances are you will snub the match, so be patient and wait till there is a good flame.

Once you are happy you have got your fire going you can put your matches in a safe dry place, their is nothing worse than seeing someone put the matches down before the fires going, only to find they have been trodden into the ground, or the strikers got that wet its imposable to light another match, think safe. Also never leave your matches out to the elements over night, there’s nothing worse than getting up in the morning, to find your only matches are damp from the morning dew or the previous night’s rain.

Activities involving all aspects of backwoods have the potential to be dangerous, especially those involving fires, and sharp tools, because of this, all health and safety precautions should be undertaken at all times.  If you decide to  replicate any of the activities, shown and described on these pages, they must be done under the supervision of a responsible instructor, and under no circumstances attempted by an un trained person. Because safe working can only be assessed on site by the person organizing the activity, no responsibility can be accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.