Camp And Campfire Making

Camping out is a great way to spend time with your family or friends. But choosing the right campsite can mean the difference between comfort and misery...safety and disaster. First and foremost: choose high ground where your camp will be safe from flash floods if there's an unexpected storm. Avoiding damp areas and choosing a spot with a breeze will help protect you from insects. And make sure your tent is upwind of your campfire. If a firepit exists, use it. If not, place your campfire at least 15 feet from trees and brush and never build it under branches or near dry grass or weeds. Clear organic material from your fire site but don' line it with rocks. The heat can make them explode. Make a triangle of 3 sticks...with one end of each stick overlapping another. In the center of this a-frame, build a tepee with dry grass, leaves, pine needles, or small twigs... anything that will burn and is smaller than your little finger. Place some bigger sticks around the tepee as kindling...then lay larger pieces of wood over the a-frame. Make sure it's built so that air can circulate between the materials and light the tepee while it's still accessible, even if you're not done laying the structure. Build the smallest fire you need to minimize impact on the land. You don't need a big one for cooking. Never leave a fire unattended...and when you're done with the fire, put it out completely by drowning it with water, then stirring the ashes to make sure every ember is out. Just a little attention to these details and you'll have a safe and enjoyable camping trip.