Fire & Shelter

Learning Objectives

• Shelter building, heat retention, teamwork, resourcefulness, planning, problem-solving, leadership, practical preparation, and staying calm in harsh conditions.

Activity 1 (Shelter Build Challenge)

Data

Setup

Give each team a small set of common materials and a clear building space.

Use these shelter goals:

• Make a shelter that blocks wind
• Make a shelter that covers the head and shoulders
• Make a shelter that keeps one person dry

How to Play

1. Divide shabab into teams.
2. Give each team the same materials.
3. Teams have 10 minutes to build a small shelter.
4. The shelter must have a front, back, and roof cover.
5. After building, one teammate explains why the design works.
6. Murabbi scores stability, use of materials, and teamwork.

Sample Shelter Ideas

• Chair frame with a sheet over the top
• Two rope lines with cloth draped between them
• Cardboard wall and cloth roof for wind cover
• Corner shelter using wall support and taped fabric

Murabbi Notes

No sharp tools or real fire. The point is to think like builders: protect from wind, rain, and exposure using simple materials.

Activity 2 (Warmth Test)

Data

Setup

Create 3 mini models or design sketches of shelter ideas.

Use these design examples:

• Low shelter that hugs the ground
• Thick wall shelter with layered cloth
• Open shelter with lots of gaps

How to Play

1. Show the teams the shelter designs.
2. Ask which one would keep heat best and why.
3. Teams must justify their choice in simple words.
4. Then test the idea by placing a cloth or paper under a fan or breeze.
5. Teams compare which design protected the inside area best.

Creative Challenge

Ask teams to improve their shelter by adding one heat-saving feature such as a low roof, a tighter wall, or a wind block.

Sample Answers for Murabbi

• A low shelter usually holds warmth better than a tall open one.
• A shelter with fewer gaps protects better from wind.
• Layering materials helps block air.
• A strong shelter should be simple, stable, and quick to repair.

Murabbi Notes

Keep the lesson practical and visual. This is about understanding protection and heat retention, not about making a real fire.