A hands-on beginner class in Copeland Forest. Kyle shows you how to strike a spark, find tinder in the woods and build a fire that keeps going.
What you'll learn
The spark
A ferro rod throws a shower of hot sparks, wet or dry, long after a lighter would give up. Kyle shows you the grip and stroke that actually catch, then you practise until it feels natural.
The tinder
Copeland Forest is full of things that burn, if you know where to look. You'll head into the trees to find natural tinders, then test them side by side to see which catch first. Everyone gets their own tinder kit too.
The fire
Fire lays and shapes, blowing an ember to flame, splitting wood by batoning and carving feather sticks. By the end of the day you'll know how to keep a fire alive, not just start one.
How it works
This class is one of a series of new trips geared towards a 2nd WU cohort. Come on your own or bring a friend. Most people at our classes arrive solo.
Drive yourself to the P1 parking lot, about an hour and a half north of Toronto. There's no WU transport for this class.
Kyle is a survivalist instructor with decades of experience. He takes time with each person and works at your pace.
Never lit a fire without matches? Perfect. There's no hiking: you'll be by the fire, with short walks into the trees to gather tinder.
Loaner ferro rods, a tinder kit for everyone and knives to borrow. Want your own to keep? Add a ferro rod or a knife when you book.
The plan
10:45
Meet at the P1 parking lot, Copeland Forest
11:00
Welcome, fire safety and your first sparks with the ferro rod
Late morning
Into the trees to find and test different tinders
Lunch
Bring a packed lunch and eat around the fire
Afternoon
Fire lays, ember to flame, batoning and feather sticks
Late afternoon
Open fire time to practise what you've learned
16:00
Wrap up and head home
Times are a guide and weather can shift them. Your plan arrives by email with directions and the full details.
Intro to Firecraft
A full day with Kyle, with a loaner ferro rod, knife and your own tinder kit
$150
Ferro rod to keep (optional)
Your own rod to take home
+$10
Knife to keep (optional)
A Mora knife to take home
+$40
All prices plus HST. No knife? Bring your own or borrow one of ours for free.
Book your spotYou'll add your emergency contact and sign our waiver, then pay. No membership needed.
Good to know
No. Book your spot and you're in. There's no membership or sign-up fee for this class. Members are welcome too.
Yes. This is a beginner class and Kyle starts from the very first spark. There's no hiking. You'll spend the day by the fire, with short walks into the trees to gather tinder and wood.
Warm layers you don't mind getting smoky, waterproof boots, gloves, a packed lunch, snacks and water. A hot drink in a flask is a good idea in late November. Bring a knife if you have one.
Drive to the P1 parking lot at Copeland Forest, near Horseshoe Valley. It's about an hour and a half north of Toronto, and your plan has directions. There's no WU transport for this class.
You'll fill in your details and emergency contact, sign our waiver and pay. Your plan arrives by email before the day, with directions and everything you need.
Wilderness Union runs over a hundred guided trips a year across Ontario, and our firecraft classes are some of the most popular. We kept hearing from people over 45 who wanted to try one, so this class is just for you.
Questions? Email usSunday November 29
$150 + HST for the day. Add a ferro rod or a knife to keep when you book.
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