Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

One person is blindoflded and has to unpack & setup a trangia meths stove and set it heating some water.

Resources

Blindfold (necker)
Trangia methylated spirit stove (1 per team)
box of safety matches (1 per team)
water
Washing-up bowl of cold water or access to a cold tap (for burns)
Non-flammable hard-surfaced area to do the task (i.e. not in a field of dry grass)
Paper towels to wipe up spilt meths
Optional - plate to put dead matches on (1 per team)

Instructions

Work in teams of 3 or above. Ensure at least 1 scout per team knows how to set up & light a Trangia meths stove. Ask for a volunteer from each team without telling them what for :-) This person will be the stove constructor.
Demonstrate how to light a match (by 'jabbing' it head-first along the striker, not dragging it head last - the dragging method tends to break matches and flick bits of burning match head around)
Give the constructors a packed-up Trangia stove whose burner is full of meths, a box of matches, blindfold them and sit them down crosslegged about 6 feet away from the rest of their team. Ensure any long hair is tied back so it doesn't get set on fire......
Explain the rules & aims of the challenge which are as follows:-
"The constructor is to unpack the stove, construct it, light the burner, call for water (hold a bowl up to allow a leader to pour some water in it), & start heating some water in the bowl with the lid on.
The rest of their team can tell the constructor what to do, but cannot touch anything.
The winning team is the one that most safely & efficiently gets the water heating. In the event of a 'draw' the team that uses the least matches wins.
No-one is to interfere with other teams.
Any burns must be sufficiently cooled in cold water."

Leaders - you're looking for:-
A team that instructs their constructor well - clear use of direction, possibly 'one voice', telling the constructor what the plan is for a step in the process before doing something.
A constructor & team who unpack the stove neatly so they know where everything is and nothing rolls across the room.
A team and constructor that deal with frustration well.
A team and constructor that don't rush and make mistakes.
A team and constructor that lights the burner before putting the windshield / pot support on - it's much easier and less likely to result in burns.

Leaders - what you'll find:-
The scouts get overexcited and start shouting commands. This activity is probably best suited to a maximum of 4 teams in the room to keep the noise levels sensible.
Meths will get spilt when an impatient constructor unscrews the lid of the burner whilst holding it at an angle, or knocks the stove once the burner's in it. So don't do this on a delicate floor surface that the meths will stain or damage. If meths is spilt, stop the constructor and wipe it up straight away before letting them carry on. It may be best to get the scout to set the Trangia up on an upturned biscuit tin lid.
Meths diluted with water to reduce sooting doesn't light very well if it's cold. Use neat meths and do it in a warm room to make it less frustrating (unless you want to teach the scouts how hard it is to light cold meths).
Someone will burn their fingers. Possibly more than once! However, they'll invariably drop the match as soon as they do and shouldn't come to any real harm.
Even if you give the constructor a plate for dead matches they will end up on the floor.

This activity could be extended to actually cook something on the stove (with or without blindfold) rather than just heating water. This would then bring it into scope for more badge requirements.

Tags

• challenge
• Explorer
• Matches
• scout
• team building
• Trangia

Badge Links

• Teamwork - Goal
• Teamwork - Team-building