| What is a camping trip without a campfire? | | | | catches. |
| Certain camp areas do not allow open campfires | | | | Keep a 'fire stick' on hand to push hot debris or |
| or restrict fires to provided fireplaces or grills. | | | | coals toward the fire. Also, keep a pail of water |
| Check to make sure that you follow the rules of | | | | handy. |
| the area in which you camp. | | | | Never leave a fire untended in your campsite, |
| If you build a fire, clear the area for several feet | | | | even for a short time. Do not allow children to |
| around the fire circle. Build your fire at least 30 | | | | play with the fire, or run around near the fire. |
| feet away from tents, clotheslines, tarps, and | | | | Older children can be allowed to help gather fuel |
| camp equipment. | | | | and build the fire. Help them feel a sense of |
| Build a teepee fire for a small, manageable fire. | | | | responsibility for it. |
| Start with tinder - that is dried grasses and | | | | Sometime before turning in for the night, allow |
| leaves. Nest, lay out small, thin, dried twigs. Pile | | | | the campfire to die down. Push the coals toward |
| them in a teepee shape, keeping the thinner twigs | | | | the center and stir with your fire stick to break |
| at the center. Next, lay some larger twigs and | | | | them up. You may want t sprinkle a little water |
| small branches, keeping to the general teepee | | | | on the fire but be aware that this can create |
| shape. Increase the size of branches. Always use | | | | quite a mess. Hold your hand over the coals. If |
| dry wood. New or green wood produces a lot of | | | | you feel any warmth, break up any remaining |
| unpleasant smoke. Make sure that you are | | | | coals. |
| allowed to gather wood and tinder in the area in | | | | Make sure that your fire is dead before leaving it. |
| which you camp. You may be required to pack in | | | | A fire may appear dead so you need to make |
| your own fire-making materials. | | | | sure. Keep yourself, your family, and the campsite |
| Light the tinder and blow gently on it until it | | | | safe. |