Fire Tender

Name and Purpose

• Fire Tender builds patience, focus, and awareness through a quiet, suspenseful challenge.
• The seated player practises deep listening; the moving players practise slow, intentional movement.

a.k.a.

• Keeper of the Sticks, Blind Guardian

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-25 players | 15-25 minutes | Quiet indoor or outdoor space, clear central area

Materials

• Blindfold (or honour-system eyes-closed)
• 15-25 sticks or craft sticks
• 2-4 cones or rope to mark the safety circle around the Fire Tender

Quick-Run Card

1. Mark a safety circle; seat the Fire Tender inside with sticks arranged around them.
2. Divide remaining players into two teams.
3. One player from each team approaches quietly to retrieve a stick.
4. If Fire Tender points at a player, that player returns to the start empty-handed.
5. All sticks claimed ends the round. Team with more sticks wins that round.

Setup and Boundaries

• Mark a safety circle (1-1.5m radius) around the Fire Tender with cones or rope
• Players must not enter the safety circle; they reach in from the edge to collect sticks
• Signal: 1 whistle = pause; 2 whistles = end round
• No running allowed: walk-pace only during this activity

How to Play

1. One player volunteers to be the Fire Tender. They sit in the centre, blindfolded or with eyes closed, surrounded by sticks.
2. Divide the remaining players into two equal teams.
3. On your signal, one player from each team approaches slowly and silently.
4. If the Fire Tender hears movement and points in that direction, the approaching player returns to the start without a stick.
5. A player who successfully picks up a stick and returns to the start earns one point for their team.
6. Continue until all sticks are claimed. The team with more sticks wins the round.
7. Rotate the Fire Tender each round so everyone gets a turn if they want one.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Attempt to retrieve sticks each round
• S (Support): Count sticks for your team and encourage teammates quietly
• Q (Quiet): Take the Fire Tender role, listening carefully from the centre
• O (Observer): Watch the round and keep score for both teams

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to be blindfolded can close their eyes on the honour system
• Players with mobility needs can participate as Fire Tender or as a scorekeeper with full involvement

Stewardship Moment

• Use sticks collected from the ground rather than purchased craft sticks when possible; this practises Leave No Trace stick-gathering (collect only fallen material)
• After play, return sticks to a natural pile or reuse for future rounds

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves one player sitting blindfolded in the centre. For those not comfortable with the blindfold role, the scorer and the retriever roles are equally important.”
• Mid-game check: after the first round, check in with the Fire Tender: thumbs up to continue, sideways to switch
• Opt-out/re-entry: any player can swap roles between rounds without explanation

Risks and Mitigation

• Players bumping into the Fire Tender: safety circle boundary must be clear; no one enters the circle
• Blindfolded player discomfort: honour-system eyes-closed is always an option; check in quietly
• Players rushing or diving for sticks: walk-pace rule enforced; no running at any time

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Sound Map”: sit quietly for 60 seconds and count how many distinct sounds you can hear
• “Slow Walk”: everyone crosses the space as slowly as possible without stopping

Debrief Questions

• What? “What did you notice about how slowly you had to move to avoid being heard?”
• So What? “How does patience and focus change what you are able to do?”
• Now What? “When do you need that same kind of careful, slow attention in your everyday life?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect cones and rope
• Return sticks to a natural area or store for reuse
• 60-second space sweep