Supplies (each girl will need her own):
1 paper plate
bottle of water
1 fork
1 toothpick
1 scoop mini-marshmallows
1 scoop Cheerios
1 scoop potato sticks
1 scoop chocolate chips and/or raisins
3 pretzel logs
1 Twizzler
1 scoop red hots
1 scoop candy corn
napkin
Directions:
paper plate = ground and safety circle
Campfires are never to be built off the ground. Choose a safe and suitable location. Ensure that are is clear of overhanging branches. Prepare the area by removing leaves and pine straw with a rake and broom.
Give each girl a napkin and the ingredients above. Have girls carefully unfold the napkin and lay it neatly. This represents the clearing that has to be done in an area to make it safe to build a fire. Most forest fires begin when a fire is built in an area that is not prepared properly. Have the girls look above their heads to be sure there are no overhanging branches that could ignite and be sure that the ceiling is tall enough above the fire.
fork = tool
water bottle = water bucket
One of the first things to have ready is something nearby to extinguish the fire: sand, dirt or a bucket of water. You'll need a rake or shovel to help extinguish the fire.
Give each girl a bottle of water and a fork. Talk about how to extinguish a fire using water.
cheerios & marshmallows = fire circle ring
If an established fire ring is not already in place, make one with rocks or bricks (no sandstone). A fire circle helps remind people to stay out of the fire area.
Only the "fire tender" should add wood to the fire. Fire tenders, cooks and anyone else who will be near the fire should:
- tie back their hair in a pony tail
- wear secure fitting clothing
- zip or button up jackets and sweaters
Hair hanging down or loose flowing sleeves can catch fire.
Have the girls make a "fire ring" of cheerios and/or marshmallows. Explain the purpose of the fire ring and the job of the "fire tender"
pretzel logs and Twizzler = logs
Have a sufficient supply of tinder, kindling and fuel on hand before starting the fire. You don't want to waste the warmth and efficiency of your fire looking around for more wood.
Types of wood needed:
- Tinder -- toothpick size wood or any natural material that burns easily
- Kindling -- larger wood than tinder, but smaller in diameter than an adult's thumb
- Fuel Logs -- small branches or logs
All wood should be dry (easily snaps instead of bends).
Sort "wood" into piles by size and type. Use Twizzlers or large pretzel rods as the foundation logs. Use raisins or chocolate chips for "fuel" when charcoal is used for cooking.
Begin laying your fire by laying an A or V of logs. A fire need oxygen to burn, so decide which direction the wind is coming from. Lay the A of V with its open end pointing towards the direction the wind is coming from.
potato sticks = tinder
Don't gather vines with your tinder. They do not burn well and in the winter you might be gathering poison ivy.
Lay tinder against the crossbar of the A or in the cross of the V. Use potato sticks for the tinder.
toothpick = match
red hots = sparks
Once you light a fire, you are responsible for keeping a watchful eye on it, at all times.
Practice striking a match correctly. As each girl is ready, she practices striking a toothpick (match) correctly (away from you).
Review each girl's "fire" to make sure she has followed the instructions for building it properly. If the "fire" is not built properly ask her questions to help her figure out what she needs to do to make it right. Let her correct it and then light it.
Light the fire by holding the toothpick under the largest pile of tinder. Then drop a few red hots or red and yellow M & M on top to show that the fire is burning brightly, using just one match!
pretzels sticks = kindling
Kindling consists of thing, dry, pencil-thick sticks. Add kindling as the fire burns brighter. If desired, additional logs may be added after the fire burns for a while.
candy corn = flames
Only add more fuel logs if you really need them. Be kind to Mother nature and preserve her wood and clean air.
Remind the girls that only the "fire tender" and adult supervisor may add logs to the fire.
After fires have been approved by the Leader, each girl may eat her fire!
Last Step
Put out the fire as soon as you are finished with it.
- Stir the coals so they are spread out.
- Sprinkle water, slowly, over the coals. Be careful that it does not splatter back on you.
- Stir the coals with a stick and sprinkle some more. Continue until fire is out and coals are cool to touch.
- Clean out the fire ring. Dispose of ashes properly - in designated can, but not with normal trash that might catch fire from unseen embers.
