grom,

Our scout shop used to carry them and they may still do so. REI has them. Some sporting goods have them. I suspect Campmor may also sell them. Anyway, I have been very happy with the BSA Hot Spark to initiate the spark. Various other synthetic flints such as the Swedish Fire Steel are also excellent. The latter are sold occasionally by Bagheera of this forum as a fund-raiser for his Dutch scout troop. You could send him a PM so see if he is still selling them. I also like cotton balls impregnated with petroleum jelly as tinder. Various commercially prepared tinders are also available. Magnesium bars can be more troublesome to use.

I don't think I see any downside in introducing the scouts to such effective ways to starting fires. Just make sure that the time, place, and materials and persons present are appropriate for the safe making of a fire. The use of synthetic flints is a reliable approach for starting fires which scouts and all responsible persons should know. Coincidentally my son just completed the Wilderness Survival merit badge at long term camp last week. Unfortunately he has hidden the pamphlet in some place secure from his father's borrowing of it.

Good luck,

John