To celebrate Canada Day and DS's 8th birthday, we went for a family hike today, through a local marsh to the deserted beach. The weather was perfect!



After the hour-or-so hike, we wickied up on the beach.



Then he forged for tinder and wood, made a tinder bundle and fire pit. When he was ready for us to light it, we presented him with his birthday present - his first knife and his own LMF fire steel. He loved them! He was determined to get the fire going using them.



Using a fire steel isn't as easy as it looks, even with Dad's coaching and some supplies from home.



After trying for quite a while, we pulled out his little emergency whistle, stocked with matches and HE DID IT! His first campfire! (He needed four strike-anywhere matches. The first three broke on the rock he was striking them on.)



Never have I seen him so proud!



He capped the moment by using his knife to whittle sticks with DH, so we could roast his self-cut spider dogs over that glorious fire.



On the hike back to the car, and all the way home, all he could talk about were all the adventures he's going to go on once he can use his knife by himself. Thanks for all your help with this gang. You've help spark a little boy's imagination!


(His fanny pack PSK expanded into Dad's old army webbing today and he was so proud!)