Michelle BrandenburgExtension Educator

Youth Development/4-HSDSU Cooperative Extension

Campfire Cooking

Offers a healthy alternative to“regular” campfire foods

Can be adjusted to cook at home

Nutritious

Reasonably Inexpensive

ObjectivesThe students will:

Learn About Nutrition Demonstrate Safe and

Accurate Cooking Skills Learn About Food Safety

Learn About Campfire Safety

Have Fun!

Identify Various Ways toCook at a Campfire

Cooking Options On Coals

Over Fire

In Stock Pot

In Dutch Oven

On Griddle/Skillet

Nutrition

Offer better alternatives to “regular” camping foods

Meet the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations

Provide healthy after schoolsnack options

Nutritional Choices

Vegetables Fruits

Cooking Skills Washing fruits and vegetables

Correct measurements for dry and liquid ingredients

Knife techniques and safety

Use caution when cooking with heat

Cleanup is everyone’s responsibility

Hand Washing Basics

1. 2.

3. 4.

Water Soap

Time Paper Towel

Amount of Time

One Meal

vs.

All Day

Pack Safely Use a cooler

Pack foods in frozen state if hiking or backpacking

Skip mayonnaise and other very perishable foods

Keep Clean

Remember to pack the following:

Disposable wipes

Hand sanitizer

Biodegradable soap

Keep Cold Food Cold

The following items need to be kept below 40°F:

Meat

Poultry

Fish

Dairy

Eggs

Leftovers

Salads

Cut fruit

Cook Food Thoroughly

Ground Beef 160°F

Pork 160°F

Poultry breasts 170°F

Steaks, roasts, chops 145°F

Poultry 180°F

Avoid Cross Contamination Place raw meats in separate sealed containers

Do not use the same platter or utensils for raw and cooked protein

Do not use the same cutting board for raw meat and other foods

Wash hands with soap after working with raw meats and eggs

Supplies forBuilding Campfires

Wood/charcoal

Kindling

Matches

Lighter fluid

Fire Safety Tips Only put lighter fluid on unlit charcoal

Have items at hand in case an unwantedfire occurs

Do not start fires in grassy or wooded areas

Do not start fires in dry areas

•Water

•Shovel

Only start fires in open, outdoor areas

Completely extinguish all campfires

Fire Basics Log cabin structure

Strip wood

Stir coals to distribute heat

Be careful of tall grasses

Do not use aluminum, plastic or glass as kindling

Allow air movement

Fun All recipes received great reviews

Flexible•can change the recipe according to

the ingredients available and likes

Enjoy cooking

Fun All recipes received great reviews

Flexible•can change the recipe according to

the ingredients available, your budgetand the tastes of those cooking

Enjoy cooking

Helpful Tips Use precooked meatballs and ham

Pre-measure and precut items

A team project•1 person to watch the fire•1 person to watch the preparation and safety•Other helpers if possible to assist in

preparation

Wet, cold soil makes it difficult tostart fires

More Helpful Tips

Laminate recipes used in making foodsbut hand out copies at the end

Use disposable containers when possible

Adjust foods so they can cook fasterif time is an issue

Inquire about food allergies andreligious requirements