Camping is a built in socially distanced activity, always has been. And a campfire makes it that much better. The YMCA of the Rockies taught us how to make the perfect campfire and Kirk's Flyshop & Mountain Adventures gave us tips on how to get the most out of our perfect campfire.
TIP #1: The Marshmallow-Stick Trick
One of our favorite things to do when camping is making S'mores. All that sticky, delicious, marshmallowy goodness melting before your eyes over an open flame. Pro tip for getting a solid melt on your marshmallow without burning it: slightly wet your marshmallow (or better yet, marshmallows because two is always better than one, right?) before roasting it over the fire. Then get out your chocolate and graham crackers and dive on in.
TIP #2: A Campfire Shortcut
A safe, efficient trick for starting your campfire: make a small base out of cotton balls covered in some Vaseline, then cover them up with a light bed of small twigs. Once lit, the cotton balls will produce a small, steady flame that will get your twigs going. Give them a minute or two to get really fired up before placing your larger logs on top, and you should be good to go.
TIP #3: Homemade Fire Starters
Another tip for getting your campfire roaring quickly is to prepare homemade fire starters before your camping adventure. Here’s how:
Step 1. Collect some old candles and melt what’s left of them over your stove. (An old pot works just fine.)
Step 2. Grab a discarded paper egg carton and fill the egg compartments with wood shavings or leftover lint from your clothes dryer.
Step 3: Pour the melted wax over the egg carton filling of your choice.
Step 4: Let the wax cool and set.
Step 5: Use scissors to separate the individual egg compartments.
Boom: now you have twelve fire starters to safely start your campfire!
