Memorial Day Camp Out & Picnic

Want to plan a Memorial Day Weekend celebration with friends and family?
A Camp out really does sound like a great Idea. It’s an excellent way to get away from the norm…to spend quality time with each other, to remember what has been given to us, those who have passed, and to celebrate American life and tradition. We’ve collected some nice ideas for a camp out, in keeping with the Memorial Day Holiday.

• First, find the perfect camp out location, keeping family tradition in mind. (Family Cabin, Grandma’s Backyard, Family home town, Favorite lake, Park or Place that brings back memories)
• Be sure to check the weather (know what to pack, know what activities and possibilities to plan for)
• Make some new memories while remembering!
  Bring some traditional American spirit to the weekend with favorite past times and traditional indoor or outdoor games. Ask the older guests for their input.
• Gather and honor those who have contributed to this great free country of ours by dedicating time for remembering and sharing stories around a picnic, or bonfire. 
• Family and friends can each bring their own albums and photos of loved ones lost to share (especially of those who have served our country)
• Set up a special place to display photographs and memorabilia of these heroes.
• Share, swap or use old and traditional recipes at your memorial picnic or BBQ. You may have an old family recipe that deserves to be passed on. Maybe some one who passed had a favorite recipe?
• Have the musicians of the group to bring their guitars, or play some patriotic music to add to the reminiscing mood. 

Tee-pee and Log Cabin Configurations

Teepee Structure (to the left)

The Boy Scout Troop #212 of Elk River show off their mad skills with the Teepee style bonfire. Great Job guys! 

Photo: Austin Klisch, Micheal Moen and Lucas Pederson at the 101 Market of Otsego, Minnesota

Log Cabin Structure
(to the right)

Local Boy scouts built this Log cabin style bonfire. The Log cabin structure is most practical if you get hungry in the wilderness! Learning the skills to build and maintain this type of campfire is quite important, especially if you like roughing it. There’s nothing like cooking on an open fire!

Only You!

We have a great podcast link to share with you from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  Building a Campfire can be a bit challenging especially if it’s your first time.  Even if you’ve built a campfire many times it may still be beneficial to review tips and good safety practices.  Follow this link to find the DNR Campfire Podcast with friendly advise from a special guest, Smokey the Bear.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/index.html

For more safety tips… check out our Bonfire safety tips and HoeJoe tool here at www.BonfireCentral.com. We hope you enjoy the great outdoors, and keep it safe!

Survive the cold with a gift for the season!

It’s so very cold outside!  For Minnesotans and Northern State dwellers, keeping warm is a big priority.  Still, the cold doesn’t stop everyone from getting outside.  Outdoor activities are abundant in our winter wonderland!  We celebrate our snow flurries with snowmen, ice sculptures, ice-skating, and sledding with the kids.  Outdoorsy type people still enjoy winter camping and cabin retreats, putting their survival skills to the test.  After freezing their tushes off, a nice hot cup of cocoa would be idyllic… and getting warm near a bonfire or fireplace is preferred.  There is a practical gift for the Winter survivalists who appreciate warmth and the finer things of convenience.  The HoeJoe Jr. makes a great winter gift.  Like a remote control to a couch potato, the Hoe Joe Jr.  just helps with the relaxation of flipping channels logs in the cabin fireplace or bonfire in the woods.  Getting warm never felt so good in these frigid temperatures.  Find more information about the HoeJoe at www.bonfirecentral.com.  See it in action along with testimonials in this HoeJoe video. 

Keep Warm and Happy Holidays!