[Philmont] Campfires

Jim does make some great points. I don't make campfires when I camp anymore,
that is except when the girlfriend asks me to at an established campground.
But I try to discourage it when taking out new people and explain why.
Seeing as how every boy scout has some level of being a pyro, there will be
boys who build fires. As many have told me, when you go camping, you build a
fire, that's just how it is. This is how camping has been romanticised in
our culture. In response to that, proper education is a must. As Jim
pointed out pan fires are a good way as well as mound fires. Both are
explained in more detail in the book Soft Paths as well as the ecological
implications that come from campfires.

I can remember as a boy every time we went camping, we built a fire. And it
was always a pit fire that we dug a hole for. This was taught in the boy
scout handbook and required for merit badges/skill awards. I shudder to
think of how ecologically unfriendly this is.

As to the candle substitute, yes they can be messy. I have found a solution
that works fairly well for me. A tennis ball canister can be used to carry a
few candles. It keeps them dry and protected from breaking as easily. Any
tennis ball canister I've seen has the metal lid that you peel off. I took
that lid and secured it to the bottom of the plastic top (duct tape). I then
place my candle on the metal side of the lid so that it catches the wax.
Some people suggest using a small flash light. All of these things supply
the same need which is something for the group to gather around and focus
on. Or as I prefer, just sit in the dark and enjoy the night sky.

-- 
Jason Cotting
Retired Ranger
Lakewood, CO
><>
My Philmont gear advice:
http://anvilgear.com/jason/backpacking
Philring
http://philring.anvilheadproductions.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to:          philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at:         http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator:        philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe send text email to:
     To: listserv@troop47.com
     Subject: unsubscribe
     Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------