You sometimes forget that years of camping and sitting around a fire creates an appreciation enjoyed by few.  I recently took my son and his mates hiking on the Bibbulmun Track (a couple of times now).  Both boys rarely go camping - and you can tell!

It is something you don't really think about but there is a general camping ettiquette that is unwritten but obvious at the same time.   Those who go hiking or camping regularly will know what I mean.

One of the things that has often been a topic of discussion with my On Track Hiking Hire comrade is the kids and fire.  For those of you who don't camp it is a lot like kids and lollies.  My wife and I have always believed that if you leave a bowl of lollies on the kitchen bench, your kids tend to teach themselves an element of self control.  You can always spot the kid who hasn't had such "training" - they are the ones taking a handful of lollies as they walk past.  The fire is much the same!

Start a fire and watch the non-campers go to it like a moth to a flame!  They prod and poke the fire, seek every opportunity to add sticks, leaves, paper and anything else that gives them instant results.  Burning sticks are waved in the air and the fight to be the first to the light the fire in the morning is sickening to watch. 

Familarity breeds comtempt.  Expose kids to the outdoors often enough and they learn to calm down and appreciate the experience.  Who can blame them though?  The outdoors is such a wonderful place.  Those kid who don't get the opportunity must view it as another world - one perhaps without rules!

I say this all semi tongue in check of course.  Kids will be kids and the fire is a fascinating beast.  My point is this: Part of the goal of taking kids camping is to educate them on bush protocol.  Lesson #1 - fire appreciation.