Activity Description: Youth practice building a pretend campfire by placing tinder, kindling, and fuel in the correct order.
Items Needed:
- Tinder (dry leaves, wood shavings, or small twigs)
- Kindling (dry sticks about as wide as a thumb)
- Fuel (larger dry pieces of wood)
- (Optional) Campfire Safety Rules by GSUSA
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–30 min):
- Place the tinder. (5–7 min)
- Youth put a handful of tinder in the center of a safe spot like a pretend fire pit or tray.
- Explain that tinder lights easily and helps the fire begin.
- Add the kindling. (5–8 min)
- Youth lean thumb‑sized sticks around the tinder to form a teepee shape.
- Remind them that kindling helps the fire grow.
- Set up the fuel. (5–8 min)
- Youth add a second layer with thicker sticks around the teepee shape.
- Fuel keeps the fire burning for a longer time.
- Leave room for air. (5–6 min)
- Youth make a small gap facing the wind to help air flow through the teepee.
- Explain that fires need air to keep going.
- (Optional) Practice and review. (7–8 min)
- Youth walk through the full setup again without lighting a fire.
- Discuss what each part does:
- Tinder starts the fire
- Kindling builds it up
- Fuel keeps it going
- Remind youth that real campfires should always be built with an adult nearby.
Step-by-Step Tutorials:
- Alternative Instructions: Build a Teepee Fire by GSUSA
- Video: Introduction to Fire Building by GSUSA
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Click Here -> See what GSUSA Requirements could be met
Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.
- Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Daisy Buddy Camper badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Brownie Cabin Camper badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Brownie Eco Friend badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Junior Camper badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Junior Eco Camper badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Cadette Primitive Camper badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Cadette Trailblazing badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette Eco Trekker badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Senior Adventure Camper badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Ambassador Survival Camper badge requirements.
Click Here -> See what Scouting America Requirements could be met
Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.
Info Needed: Read the Scout Law AND show how you can be friendly.
- Fulfills Step 1 of Tiger Let’s Camp Tiger requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of Wolf Let’s Camp Wolf requirements.
- Fulfills part of Steps 6 & 7 of Webelos Let’s Camp Webelos requirements.
- Fulfills part of Step 6 of Arrow of Light Outdoor Adventurer requirements.
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