Suggestions needed for Girl Scout meeting

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Hi all,

This is my first post to this forum, but I've been lurking and learning.

I need your suggestions on something.

I'm hosting a small Girl Scout troop meeting in November. I plan to print out the Girl Scout Y2k preparedness brochure, and make it the focus of the meeting, since the girls haven't seen it yet.

I also plan to build a campfire outdoors--raining or not.

THAT's the challenge, along with what to cook.

Would you please provide me with some suggestions related to the above? Specifically:

1. In a world with no propane, matches, etc., (and in the rain. LOL!) how would we start a fire? I need a supply list. The wood will be dry, but I've never tried to start a campfire without matches!

2. I need some good recipes for lunch using non-refrigerated items. (Keep in mind that I have cast iron cookware, and a cooking rack that will easily fit over the fire.) I know there are many recipes out there for main dishes, desserts, etc., but I thought you all might have some favorites. (I remember making chicken and dumplings from a whole, canned chicken when I was a Girl Scout, but I don't know where to find a canned chicken these days. Also, I can't remember the recipe, except that I know it used Bisquick for the dumplings, and I have plenty of that.)

Thank you kindly for your help!

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), October 07, 1999

Answers

FM,

I still fall back on basics that I learned as a young scout. My suggestions to you would be to stick to the basics of being prepared. Making fire without modern conveniences is a challenge. {Shimrod had a terrific thread on this for the 'classic forum', anyone have a link? Pretty please? With sugar on top!} It can be done, but I think it would be better to start them off with a feeling of preparedness and empowerment. Here's a terrific article from Capt. Dave's site from a fellow named Greybear about emergency ration kits made by his scouts:

http://www.survival-center.com/dl-list/dl25-gry.htm

You should cover basic fire instruction, as well as basic first aid for burns.

As for cooking, I'd have them do some foil cooking. I can find some links with simple 'silver turtle' recipes if you like. Dian Thomas has a great book called "Roughing It Easy" that I highly recommend to you.

One of the important things we did as young scouts was to make mending kits, they fit in an old film cannister. This gets one into a frame of mind of not only being prepared, but making do. Backpacker magazine had a little kit that fit into a matchbook, I can try to find it if you like.

There is a girl scout leader/parent forum that I've stumbled into on occasion. I'll see if I can unearth it for you. Good luck & have fun!

-- flora (***@__._), October 07, 1999.


Here's the message board I was thinking of:

http://boards.parentsoup.com/messages/get/psscouting5.html

It may be helpful to remeber that scouting began when Baden-Powell realized that the chaps in the Boer War lacked the most basic life and survival skills.

I bet you could hook up with a firefighter {including females} that used to be in scouts that would do an enthusiastic first aid section for you { they're usually GREAT cooks, too!}.

-- flora (***@__._), October 07, 1999.


"By Request: Fire Without Matches" by Shimrod:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000NW1

-- flora (***@__._), October 07, 1999.


"By Request: Fire Without Matches" by Shimrod:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000NW1

PS One thing I learned in puppy training is 'set them up to be successful'. I'd still include matches in their kits.

-- flora (***@__._), October 07, 1999.


Thanks all! Great suggestions! Keep 'em coming!

(I still need a wonderful recipe using nothing from a refrigerator)

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), October 07, 1999.



Since Gayla's not here at he moment - I'll represent the Velveeta contingent. Now , I don't want this to turn into an 'all flora -all the time' thread, so I'm just kicking in some starters today.

My mom swears that kids have hollow legs. They are usually much more pleasant ot work with when they've got something in their bellies. Since you're part of a troop, it would be nice to have a pot of food that you can share as a tribe. Pick up a box of velveeta, they have several easy, yummy warm dip recipes on them; some with canned salsas & canned chili. Whomp up one of these at the beginning of the meeting & nosh your way through the frustrations of starting that fire!

-- flora (***@__._), October 07, 1999.


Take biscuit mix. To make stick bread, add a bit of water to make a thick dough and wrap around a stick and cook in a fire. To make pancake bread. Add more water and fry as pancakes. On wilderness camping, we made pancake sandwiches in place of bread sandwiches. Try peanut butter and jelly on pancakes or stick bread.

You can fry potatoes and onions. Toss on ketchup and cheese. Even boil pasta or potatoes in a pot as stew starter, and add grain sprouts. Whole peas are one of my favorites, sprouts in a day or two and comes close to fresh peas. Cooks faster when sprouted. Also adds nutrition lacking in canned foods.

Boy scout jamborees had each scout bring a can of soup to add to the same pot (according to my brother).

-- Artful Dodger (ckabel@rust.net), October 07, 1999.


End of camping trip heaven !

Take 2 small cans of mixing chicken, drain broth into a measuring cup and add water to make 2 cups. Add one cup of regular white rice and 2 chicken bouillion cubes. Heat to boiling, cover and reduce heat cooking until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Add the mixing chicken, a small jar of chopped red pimentoes or chopped green mild chilis and a medium size jar of mild cheese and salsa dip ( Old ElPaso). Stir to mix and serve in bowls. Have a jar of mild/medium salsa for people to add to taste.

Make Indian fry bread using water and/or evaporated milk for the liquid.

Sopaipillas

4 C. flour 4 T. shortening 1 1/2 t. salt 1 1/2 - 2 C. water 4 t. baking powder

Sift together dry ingredients. Add shortening and cut in coarsely with pastry blender or fork. Add enough water to make soft, but not sticky, dough. Knead gently on floured board. Roll into rectangle 1/4-inch thick. Let sit to rise for 5-10 minutes. Cut into 3-inch squares. Fry in deep fat until puffy and golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot, with honey.

Serve with hot chocolate -- make own mix using dry milk, creamer, and Nestle's Quik --

Hot Cocoa Mix

10 2/3 cups instant nonfat dry milk (25.6 ounce package) 6 ounce jar powdered non-dairy creamer (Coffemate for example) 2 cups powdered sugar 6 ounce can instant chocolate drink mix (Nestle's Quick for example)

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Stor in large airtight container for up to 6 months. Makes about 17 cups Hot Cocoa Mix.

To make: Add 3 tablespoons mix to 1 cup hot water. Stir to dissolve. Makes 1 serving.

My daughter's troop did the Fry Bread a couple weeks ago at a PowWow and it was a hit.

Not the simplest menu but, may be accepted by kids.

-- urth (urthmom@aol.com), October 07, 1999.


From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Here are recipes I have collected.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), October 07, 1999.


My son's Scout book says to have a pot or bucket of water near by incase sparks start a fire away from the fire circle.

They cheat though, they suggest matches. ;-)

-- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), October 08, 1999.



Ditto to Deborah. Always have a can of water & a coffee can of sand or dirt next to your tent or cooking area for fire extinguishing outdoors.

-- flora (***@__._), October 08, 1999.

Canned chicken and Danish hams can be found at many SAMS. Wally world sells camping stuff, their magnesium fire starter might be enough... (to start your fire without matches that is)

e.m.

-- Eyell Makedo (make_do@hotmail.com), October 09, 1999.


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