Activity Description: Youth collect natural materials and work together to practice building a pretend teepee‑style campfire.
Items Needed:
- Area with dry wood pieces: small twigs, medium sticks, large branches
- Either existing fire ring OR rocks and a cleared safe area
- (Optional) Labeled cards for “Tinder,” “Kindling,” and “Fuel”
- (Optional) Leave No Trace Principles:
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 30–40 min):
- Divide into fire teams. (8–10 min)
- Split Youth into three small groups:
- Team Tinder: Collect small, dry items like twigs, leaves, or wood shavings.
- Team Kindling: Find medium dry sticks about thumb‑thick and arm‑length.
- Team Fuel: Gather large dry branches about wrist‑thick and arm‑length.
- Youth should only collect items from the ground and never break branches off trees.
- Split Youth into three small groups:
- Learn about fire safety. (5–7 min)
- Review Leave No Trace rules for gathering firewood.
- Explain how tinder lights easily, kindling helps the fire grow, and fuel keeps it going.
- Practice building a teepee fire. (10–12 min)
- Use rocks to make a safe fire ring or use one already in place.
- Stack tinder in the center.
- Lean kindling around the tinder to form a teepee shape.
- Add fuel logs in a second ring outside the kindling.
- Leave a small open space facing the wind where the fire could be lit.
- Prepare for future use. (No time listed)
- The teepee fire can be used later when a fire is needed at camp, or the tinder, kindling, and fuel can be stacked nearby for a future camper to use.
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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For More Fun Ideas and Plans
Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)
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Click Here -> To see information References:
Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.
- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Build a Teepee Fire.” My.girlscouts.org, 2017, my.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscouts-vtk/meeting-aids/How-to-Build-a-Teepee-Fire.pdf. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Introduction to Fire Building.” Youtube.com, 12 May 2017, youtu.be/IuFC6jWBmGg?si=SpTuem2xuCaK2k4c. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Volunteer Toolkit Explore.” Girlscouts.org, my.girlscouts.org/content/girlscouts-vtk/en/vtk.explore.html. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
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