Learn practical campfire skills covering safe fire setup, fire lays, lighting, maintenance, cooking and responsible campfire use outdoors.
What Is Campfire Storytelling? Campfire storytelling is the art of telling stories to a group gathered around a campfire. Long before televisions, smartphones and radios, people shared stories around fires as a way to entertain, teach, remember events and pass knowledge between generations. For Scouts,…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Scout campsites and suitable outdoor fire areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and experienced Cubs under close supervisionSkills: Fire lighting, flint-and-steel technique, tinder preparation, fire safety and campcraft Flint-and-steel fire lighting works by striking hardened steel against a suitable…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 20–30 minutesLocation: Scout campsites and suitable outdoor fire areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Fire lighting, fire safety, preparation, observation and campcraft Lighting a fire with matches is a basic campcraft skill, but the preparation of the…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 15–30 minutesLocation: Scout campsites and outdoor campsBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Fire lighting, campcraft, observation, fire management and environmental responsibility A smoky campfire is usually caused by damp fuel, poor airflow, unsuitable fuel or a fire…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Never assume a campfire is completely extinguished just because you can’t see flames. Hot embers can remain hidden underneath ash and can sometimes reignite. If you’re finished with the fire, extinguish it properly rather than simply leaving it to go out. Only…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Never compromise fire safety just because you are struggling to light a fire. Only light fires where they are permitted, use an appropriate fire area, keep water or another suitable means of extinguishing the fire nearby, and follow local rules and landowner…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Kindling is designed to catch fire relatively easily, so it should always be handled with care. Only light fires where they are permitted and where conditions are suitable. Keep flammable materials away from unintended ignition sources, never leave a fire unattended, and…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Tinder is designed to catch fire easily, which also means it can ignite very quickly and unexpectedly. Only practise fire lighting where fires are permitted and under appropriate supervision. Keep flammable materials away from unintended sources of ignition and always have a…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Fire can be useful outdoors, but it can also cause serious burns, wildfires and environmental damage. Only light fires where they are permitted and where it is safe to do so. Follow local rules, campsite instructions and any fire restrictions. Keep fires…
Staying Warm Outdoors Staying warm is one of the most important skills you can learn when spending time outdoors. Whether you’re camping, hiking, taking part in a Scout activity or learning survival skills, keeping your body warm can make the difference between being comfortable and…
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. What Is a Campfire? Few things are more closely associated with camping than a campfire. A campfire can provide…
Putting Your Fire Out Safely Lighting a fire is an important outdoor skill. Maintaining one is another. But knowing when and how to put it out properly is just as important. A fire that appears to have gone out can still contain extremely hot embers…
