Creating a campfire dash

The following chemicals used sparingly are able to create a really great 'WoW' effect.  But remember campfires are unforgettable for other reasons too.  Just a little of the chemicals goes a really long way. 

It is better to halve the amount you think you need.. at least twice. Just so that you are more controlled with what you are doing and the audience that has little ones does not become so scared that campfires are a means of fear and mental torture in the future.

1. Strontium chloride produces bright red flames
2. Magnesium sulphate (Epson Salts) gives white flames
3. Calcium chloride for blue flames.
4. Copper sulphate (blue vitrol) has a green flame
5. Thallium (Alum- used in pickle making) has a bright green flame
6. Baron salts (borax -20 mule team borax in the laundry aisle) has a yellowish-green flame
7. Potassium sulphate mixed 3 to 1 with potassium nitrate will show off a violet flame
8. Boric Acid for deep red flames

• Mix the dryed red, white and blue pine scales and have a patriotic fire!

Most of these chemicals are available in the grocery store or pharmacy. Strontium chloride is used in aquariums so check your pet store for this one.

Parts on a tent names

Although this diagram is of a canvas tent many names are the same. 
We have found that when the Guides are use to using the names the instructions are easier to give - both for the leaders and the Guides to one another.  Not everyone can understand sweeping hand gestures accompanied with put this end in that thingy, no not that one... over there.

With minimum names learned there is maximum confusion and frayed tempers flare easily.

Job descriptions

On any given type of camp there are job description Guides Lines.  Variations occur when the participants age, experience and type of camp.  Add to this the objectives behind having the overnight stay / camp in the first place.

The Patol Roster

Overnight stays last for twenty four hours... no longer. On this overnight stay there were to be two Patrols. On this occasion the roster aligned with the main meals.  The Patrols swapped jobs after each main meal. 

When organising the Duty Roster two things were taken into consideration.

• there was a wide age range [7 to 14 year olds].
• Some had had several overnight stays - others had had none.

There were three main job categories.

• Occupational Health and Safety.
• Hostess
• Cook

Should one patrol finish their duties they had to go and help another patrol finish their duties as well  This carried on until all the duties were accomplished.  Then the next activity would begin.

Know who is expected

On this inside overnight stay the following were attending.  The list was displayed where everyone could see it.

In this list the participates were listed according to age.

Display a menu

Illiminating weight.

Carrying extra weight than necessary is not a good idea.
So here are some hints on what to do.

•  Using a large chux cloth 
•  cut into half
•  then one half cut into a 1/3 and 2/3]
• One for a towel, a washer and a tea towel.
• Plates and cups
• plastic is better than metal as they
• are lighter in weight
• do not pass the heat on.
 
• SWEET THINGS ARE SUPPLIED IN THE MENU. BY BRINGING EXTRA SWEETS, CHIPS AND THINGS YOU ARE FILLING UP THE SHARE BUCKET. THESE THINGS GET USED IN THE UNIT PROGRAM AT A LATER DATE... OR THEY GO IN THE OUT BIN!.

Overnight Packing

Normally what is packed is

• 1 x normal hat.
• 1 x coat
• 1 x jumper
• 1 x change of top
• 1 x change of underwear
• 1 x trousers { in hotter months 1 x shorts]
• 1 x pair of socks
• 1 x spare of shoes

over cold months

• 1 x gloves
• 1 x beany

Personal things

• hairbrush
• 1 x elastic bands
• 1 x washer
• 1 x towel
• Sunscreen
• Toothbrush
• toothpaste

Dilly bag

• Plates
• dinner
• bread
• bowl
• Utensils
• knife
• fork
• spoon
• teaspoon
• tea towel

 Bedding

• 1 x sleeping bag
• 1 x inner bag
• 1 x ground sheet
• 1 x pillow case

Torch

• rechargeable batteries.

Teddy bear

• small that stretches from the base of your hand [writst] to the tip of your fingers.  No bigger.

Now there are things not to take. Remember that extra weight is not an option.