First, let me hang my head low and admit "I am an avid Brat Camp watcher". <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I really like the show, both from an outdoor point of view AND from a Cub Scout leader dealing with a bunch of sometimes crazed boys who like to test the limits of adult tolerance point of view, not to mention the parental aspects of the show.

With that behind us, here is my question:

I'm intrigued watching them making fire with the box and drill. From what I could figure out, it looks like they are using a boot lace and a locally gathered stick for the bow. My question is, do you think the drill, handpiece (spindle?), and the basepiece are pre-made and provided to them? or do you think they are making those on the spot too?

Can anyone provide a good on-line tutorial to firemaking with a bow & drill?

I've been enjoying that show too. Some of it is a bit hokey (the names) but the show is a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. It is really interesting to see how some of the kids have responded so quickly to the experience, while others seem completely unchanged like the girl Jada. I get the feeling that some of the parents should be doing the same thing as the kids in their own group.

I also wondered about the friction fire starting set up. Since they didn't show them making them I think they gave them to the kids. The spindles look very uniform, plus they don't seem to trust them with tools/potential weapons. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />