For those who don't know I'm a park warden/ranger working for a local authority and we are in the early stages of introducing "fireplay" in the parks. I was approached by Play England who are a national play council to do a workshop at their play ranger seminar a few weeks back. I'm happy to report that there was HUGE interest in fireplay for inner city kids and I have given the play rangers the tools to carry forward the initiative and try to get fireplay introduced in parks on a national scale.
It seems the biggest stumbling block is the risk assesment and safety issues, but when explained properly more people seem to grasp the idea that being ignorant of fire is far more dangerous that a working knowledge of it's benefits and dangers.
So when you see groups of kids and play rangers having an open campfire and toasting marshmallows in the park..Remember It started here folks !!
It seems the biggest stumbling block is the risk assesment and safety issues, but when explained properly more people seem to grasp the idea that being ignorant of fire is far more dangerous that a working knowledge of it's benefits and dangers.
So when you see groups of kids and play rangers having an open campfire and toasting marshmallows in the park..Remember It started here folks !!