The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Cabin Camper badge requirements.

Items Needed:

• Tinder (dry leaves, wood shavings, or small twigs)
• Kindling (dry sticks about as wide as a thumb)
• Fuel (larger dry pieces of wood)
• (Optional) Build a Teepee Fire by GSUSA
• (Optional) Campfire Safety Rules by GSUSA

Instructions (Total Time: 35 minutes):

1. Place the Tinder (5–7 minutes)
   • Scouts place a handful of tinder in the center of a safe spot like a pretend fire pit or tray
   • Explain that tinder lights easily and helps the fire begin
2. Add the Kindling (7–8 minutes)
   • Scouts lean thumb-sized sticks around the tinder to form a teepee shape
   • Remind them that kindling helps keep the fire growing
3. Set Up the Fuel (7–8 minutes)
   • Scouts create a second layer with thicker sticks around the teepee shape
   • Fuel keeps the fire burning for a longer time
4. Leave Room for Air (5–6 minutes)
   • Scouts make a small gap facing the wind to help air flow through the teepee
   • Explain that fires need air to keep going
5. Practice and Review (7–8 minutes)
   • Scouts walk through the full setup again without lighting a fire
   • Discuss what each part does:
     • Tinder starts the fire
     • Kindling builds it up
     • Fuel keeps it going
   • Remind scouts that real campfires should always be built with an adult nearby

Note to leaders: Video Introduction to Fire Building by GSUSA may be a helpful resource.