Hosting Your Own Campfire at Home

Campfires ignite a sense of camaraderie among family and friends that fills the heart with warmth and there is just something amazing that happens when everyone gathers around the fire pit for a sing-a-long.

PREP YOUR FIRE PIT

At summer camp, a campfire often takes place in a natural ring that has been used for many seasons. However, you need to plan your campfire to take place in an area that won’t harm the ground.

Fire pits are a great option for home campfires that help keep them contained, or you could host yours inside if you prefer to use the fireplace. Whichever one you choose, make sure that you have logs on hand along with your preferred method for starting the campfire.

PLAN A FEW SNACKS

One of the reasons why kids love campfires so much is that they are the ideal place to roast a few marshmallows or hot dogs. Make sure to have some roasting sticks on hand along with the ingredients for snacks that you know everyone will love.

For example, you can never go wrong with some graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate so that everyone can make s’mores. You can also plan beverages such as hot apple cider or cocoa to give everyone something to sip on if the evening is chilly.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS

You can host or your campfire with just your family, but they are always more fun when more people gather. Send out invitations to your friends to let them know about your plans to host a campfire. Then, encourage them to dress up like campers and be ready to reenact one of their favourite camp experiences.

To increase the excitement, consider snail mailing the invites just like you would a letter from summer camp.

ENCOURAGE SINGING

As you invite your friends, let them know to bring their favourite campfire instruments. A few guitars, harmonicas or even homemade kazoos all add a special touch to the ambiance. Once everyone is gathered, start off a few classic campfire songs, or you can teach your friends the favourite songs that you love to sing at summer camp.

KEEP SAFETY IN MIND

Although campfires are fun, you must remember to make safety a priority. Remember the rules that you learned at camp, and always make sure that an adult helps to start the fire. Then, encourage everyone to stay a safe distance away as they roast marshmallows and sing songs around the fire.

At home, you should also keep a fire extinguisher and water hose ready in case an errant spark escapes the pit. When you have an itch to head back to camp, hosting your own campfire at home can help you stay calm while you wait for the next session to open, and it gives you a chance to show off what you have learned in summer camp.

In fact, you may even discover that the friends you invite to your campfire get excited about the prospect of joining you at summer camp this season.

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world!