Fire and Camping
Fire Prevention in the Out-of-Doors
Priesthood Purposes
Activate young men of quorum age by involving all young men and giving special assignments to those who are inactive.
Prepare for eternal marriage and fatherhood by having the suggested Sunday evening discussion listed in the activity.
Have leadership experiences by selecting quorum members to direct the activity or lead the demonÂstration.
Young Women Areas of Focus
Recreation and the world of nature by developing life-preservation skills .
Personal and social refinement by developing proper relationships with others.
People who can help
Advisers
Parents
Forest Service personnel
Camping specialists
Things needed
Handbooks on camping and fire prevention
How to do it
1. Have someone such as a Forest Service employee discuss and demonstrate, as appropriate, the followÂing fire prevention rules:
a. Build fires only in safe areas. Clear the surrounding area of grass or bushes.
b. Build fires only on soil that contains no materials that burn.
c. Have plenty of water available when using a fire.
d. Obey safety rules listed on the container when using liquid fuel. Do not throw liquid fuel on an open or smoldering fire.
e. Use the following method to put out a fire:
1) Drown with water.
2) Stir and dig the fire with a shovel or stick.
3) Drown with more water.
f. Never leave a fire unattended.
2. You could have a special speaker after the demonstraÂtion (possibly at a Sunday evening discussion). SubÂject: How a father as the head of the home takes safety precautions to prevent spiritual fires in hisfamily; that is, he has family prayer, family home evening, family scripture study, and other programs for spiritual strength.
Building a Fire-lay
Priesthood Purposes
Develop talents by learning a new camping skill. Have leadership experiences by giving quorum members specific responsibilities to plan and carry out the activity.
Young Women Areas of Focus
Recreation and the world of nature-
by developing life-preservation skills .
Personal and social refinement-
by developing proper relationships with others.
People who can help
Advisers
Parents
Camping specialists
Things needed
Campcraft book or other book showing how to build fire-lays
Wood and matchesTinder (fine material which burns easily)
Kindling (material that can be started by the tinder, such as small sticks)
Ax or saw
How to do it
1. Have a specialist discuss campfire safety.
2. Have the specialist demonstrate how to build several kinds of fire-lays such as the following:
a. A lean-to fire-lay.
b. A fire stick fire-lay.
c. A teepee fire-lay.
d. A cross ditch fire-lay.
3. Give each quorum or class member the opportunity to build one of the demonstrated fire-lays.
Building Wood Campfires for Cooking
Priesthood Purposes
Develop talents by learning a new camping skill. Activate young men of quorum age by seeing that inactive young men are invited and receive special attention and friendship.
Young Women Areas of Focus
Recreation and the world of nature-
by developing life-preservation skills
Personal and social refinement-
by developing proper relationships with others.
Service and compassion-
by using this activity to involve inactive young women.
People who can help
Advisers
Parents
Camping specialists
Things needed
Wood and matches
Tinder and kindling
Ax or saw
Cooking utensils
Food
How to do it
1. Teach how to build the different fires used for cooking.
a. Hike fire (a small fire used for individual cooking).
b. Keyhole fire (an all-purpose fire enclosed with rocks).
c. Hunter or trapper fire (a fire built between •• medium size logs).
d. Rock fire (a fire built within a circle of large rocks
e. Trench fire (a good fire for windy weather or fuel is limited-built in a slanted trench).
f. Pit or bean-hole fire (a fire in a pit in which to bury a cooking pot or dutch oven).
2. Assign each person to build a different cooking fire and use it to prepare his or her food.
Building Wood Campfires for Warmth and Fellowship
Priesthood Purposes
Develop talents by learning a new camping skill. Activate young men of quorum age by seeing that inactive young men are invited and receive special attention and friendship.
Young Women Areas of Focus
Recreation and the world of nature-
by developing life-preservation skills
Personal and social refinement-
by developing proper relationships with others.
Service and compassion-
by using this activity to involve inactive young women.
People who can help
Advisers
Parents
Camping specialists
Things needed
Wood and matches
Tinder and kindling
Ax or saw
How to do it
1. Teach how to build the following different types of fires used for warmth.
a. Log reflector fire.
b. Criss-cross fire (This is a good fire to use when you need a large fire. It also makes good coals for cooking.)
c. Rock reflector fire.
d. Back-log fire. (This is a good fellowship tire for small groups when a stage is needed [behind the log] for skits, etc.)
e. Star fire. (This is a good fellowship fire for a small group when no stage is needed.)
f. Council fire. (This is a large fire that gives off a lot of light for a long time.)
g. Log cabin fire. (This is a good fire for a large group. It gives a lot of light for a short period of time.)
From “The Activity Book”, Camping, pp 157-171. available from Church Distribution for $6.00.
