Campfire Crafting: DIY Fire Starters for Your Scout Troop

Hey there, fellow Scouters! Today, I'm excited to share a fun and practical activity you can do with your troop – making DIY fire starters. These handy tools are perfect for getting your campfire going and ensuring it stays ablaze long enough to cook those delicious s'mores. So, let's dive right in and gather our materials.

Here's what you'll need:

1. Dryer lint
2. Toilet paper rolls (not the toilet paper itself)
3. Wax paper
4. Cheap candles
5. Round cotton pads
6. Dental floss
7. Waterproof matches
8. Cardboard egg crates (not styrofoam)

Now that we have all our supplies ready, let's get started. Begin by melting the candles in a pan over low heat. While the wax is melting, we can start prepping the fire starters.

For the egg crates, simply stuff each egg holder with dryer lint. This will serve as the fuel for your fire starter.

Next, stuff the dryer lint into the toilet paper rolls. These will act as compact and easy-to-use fire starters.

Now, for the waterproof matches, take the round cotton pads and place two matches in each pad. Roll the pad around the matches, resembling a burrito, and tie it securely with dental floss.

Once the wax is melted, carefully remove it from the heat and use a spoon to pour it into the end of the toilet paper rolls and egg crate sections filled with dryer lint. This wax coating will serve as an accelerant, making it easier for the fire starters to ignite and burn longer, especially if the wood is a bit damp.

After pouring the wax, set the fire starters aside and let them cool. Once cooled, wrap wax paper around the toilet paper rolls and twist both ends to seal them. Similarly, with the egg crate sections, wax each compartment and allow them to cool.

For the waterproof matches, use tongs to dip the cotton-wrapped matches into the melted wax, ensuring not to cover the tips of the matches. This wax coating will make the matches more resilient to water and easier to ignite.

Now that our DIY fire starters are ready, it's time to put them to the test. In a real campfire situation, all three types of fire starters proved to be effective in igniting and sustaining a fire.

In conclusion, the purpose of these fire starters is not only to ignite the fire but also to keep it burning long enough to add sufficient kindling and logs. So, gather your troop, get crafting, and have fun making those s'mores under the starlit sky. MMMMMM – the taste of adventure awaits!