The importance of a campfire in a camping experience was brought to my attention as a boy growing up and later on my African Hunting Safari years ago. In Africa, the campfire had true meaning to hold at bay the creatures of the night who wanted to eat you. Just out of the light they lurked, a twig or branch that snapped really got your attention. “Hurry, put another log on the fire!” you said! The campfire gave you a measure of safety from the night and a place to cook your food.

To look into the flaming pulsating embers of a campfire, is to look back in time nearly a million years ago when our ancestors used the fire not just for light and protection from the night, but also for story telling, dreaming, reminiscing and entertainment.

Hunters who gather after a day afield get to tell the story of their day. This is true for most all outdoor people as well but my focus is on the Hunter. It is here that humor is created at a missed shot and the dumb things we sometimes do. It is also a place to revere bravery or a clean shot on wild game by the hunter. In essence it can be a place to bond and unwind from the day as well as protect you from the night.

Here in New England during my childhood, my family like all others at the time did not have air conditioning or could not afford it. Families often cooked and lived outside in the heat of summer. It was a social time that was essential for my outdoor upbringing. At night as kids we often ate marshmallows, made samoas with chocolate and graham cracker sandwiches of a warm and often burned marshmallow over an open campfire. We told stories too.

Later as a downhill skier in the back woods of New Hampshire we created a fire for warmth and food at night deep in the backfield slopes of my neighborhood. I loved to cook my hot dogs on a branch that I cut with my own knife. A basic woodsman’s skill my dad taught me.

As a father and grandfather it is a pleasurable experience with grandchildren to sit around a campfire, cook marshmallows and hot dogs and grin a happy grin.

So don’t forget the value of having a campfire for yourself or your family. It is a place also to grow and dream about far off places and adventure.

Good Hunting!

© 2018