Campfire Basics Nothing creates the perfect camping ambiance like a roaring campfire. If you're not an experienced fire-builder, it can be a little tricky -- especially in wet or windy weather. There are some techniques to follow, and some tips and tricks that will help ensure your success. As you stack the tinder, kindling and fuel logs, visualize a teepee or a pyramid. - First, take the light tinder (figure A) or newspaper, and place it loosely in the center.
- Next, take the smallest twigs (figure B) to start forming a teepee shape around your tinder.
- Continue building the pyramid shape with larger twigs and sticks (figure C ). Arrange the sticks so that air can flow through the structure.
- Finally, place the large fuel logs (figure D) on the outside -- on end, but leaning together in the center to complete the cone shape.
- If you've constructed your fire well, you should be able to get it started with only one match. Start the tinder underneath. The fire will work its way outward into the smaller twigs and kindling and finally ignite the logs on the outside. In short order, you should have a roaring fire that's ready for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows.
Fire-Building Tips - You may want to bring the logs for the campfire from home. Deforestation is a growing problem in wilderness areas, and it's important that campers avoid contributing to the problem.
- Let your kids help gather kindling. Any parent knows kids are experts at finding those dead fallen twigs and branches you can use for kindling.
- Use tiny twigs, bark, dry grass or leaves for your tinder. Kindling is slightly bigger -- larger sticks and wood chips.
- In wet weather you can find dry wood in the cracks of trees of underneath bushes and leaves.
- Try to collect everything you need first so you won't have to leave your fire while it's burning.
- Remember: it's important to keep firewood dry. In wet weather, you'll need to keep it covered.
- When building your campfire, make sure to position it downwind from your camp and far away from any materials that could catch fire.
- Use the smaller wood for a cooking fire. Use the larger logs for a large, lingering fire that puts out a lot of warmth.
- Every fire needs a good extinguisher, so keep a bottle of water handy. For safety reasons it's important that the fire be completely put out before you go to bed. Soak the coals thoroughly.
Cooking Tips One of the biggest advantages of car camping is that it gives casual campers a lot of possibilities in terms of the food they can bring and prepare in the great outdoors. Here are some tips: - Try to have all of your foods already refrigerated and cold before packing them in coolers. When possible, pack meats frozen except for the first night's meal. Use bagged ice rather than loose cubes to help keep foods from getting water-soaked.
- Dry or canned goods like chili and pasta are quick and easy to prepare. (Don't forget to bring a can opener if you're using canned items.)
- For roasting items like hotdogs over an open fire, have the kids find some long green sticks. Use a pocket knife to sharpen the ends of the sticks so that they can be used to pierce and hold the item over the open flame (figure E).
- Cooking over an open fire is one option, but you may want to consider a portable campstove (figure F). These propane- or gasoline-powered units are easy to use but should be handled only by adults. Propane-fuel canisters can be purchased at outfitters, sporting-goods stores, grocery stores and some gas stations. You can buy fuel at many campgrounds, but it's usually more expensive to purchase onsite. It's better to purchase it beforehand and bring an ample supply for your entire stay.
- Let the kids participate in food preparation. They can help plan the menu, mix ingredients, gather firewood and participate in roasting foods over the open fire. Make sure there's adult supervision when children are around an open flame.
RESOURCES :
Parents' Guide to Hiking & Camping: A Trailside Guide
Model: 0393316521
Author: Alice Cary
Volume from The Trailside Guide Series from W.W. Norton and Company.
W. W. Norton & Company
A Guide to Happy Family Camping: A Little Help to Get Started Camping With Kids
Model: 156148248X
Author: Tammerie Spires
Good Books
Website: www.goodbooks.com
Simple Tent Camping: The Basics of Camping from Car or Canoe
Model: 0070730210
Author: Zora Aiken
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Sleeping in a Sack: Camping Activities for Kids
Model: 0879058307
Author: Linda White, Fran Lee
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com
Cooking in the Outdoors (Basic Essentials)
Model: 0762704268
Author: Cliff Jacobson
The Globe Pequot Press
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone: 203-395-0440
Fax: 203-820-2329
The Totally Camping Cookbook (Totally Cookbooks)
Model: 0890878072
Author: Helene Siegel, Karen Gillingham
Ten Speed Press
Website: www.tenspeed.com
Cooking on a Stick: Campfire Recipes for Kids
Model: 0879057270
Author: Linda White, Fran Lee
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com
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