The Girls' Guide to Campfire Activities

by Elizabeth Encarnacion

Encyclopedic, nostalgic, and with just a tiny shiver of risk, this collection of enjoyable activities gives girls all the information they need to have the perfect campfire experience. They’ll learn the basics of building a fire; the difference between an A-frame and a teepee fire; how to put the flames out properly; a range of safety procedures; and first aid for minor burns. Girls will also find plenty of fun things to do as the embers recipes for tasty treats, instructions on making a comfy campfire seat, camp songs to sing, and ghost stories guaranteed to frighten the pants off everyone. For those who can’t make it to the great outdoors, there are even suggestions for bringing the campfire experience inside, from starting a fire in a fireplace to making fondue-style S’mores. No fireplace? No problem! The kit includes a DVD of a super campfire with a singalong soundtrack and scary music for story hour.

124 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2008

About the author

Elizabeth Encarnacion is an author and book editor who specializes in books for kids and teens. She is also the programming director for Spells Writing Lab, a non-profit writing and tutoring center for children based in North Philadelphia. She has written many books for children and adults, including Cat’s Cradle & Other Fabulous String Figures, The Jimmy Buffett Concert Handbook, The Girls’ Guide to Campfire Activities, 3-D Doodle Book & Kit, Fabulous Fun Foam Book & Kit, and a novelization of the classic TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She also wrote the four-book Buildings at Work series and four titles in the My Little Chalkboard series.

Elizabeth started her publishing career as an editorial assistant at Simon & Schuster, where she moved up the ranks before moving to Philadelphia to launch the Running Press Kids imprint. While at RP Kids, she edited Christopher Wormell’s Teeth, Tails, & Tentacles, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book, and worked on the innovative teen book-online hybrid Cathy’s Book.

In 2006, she co-founded FlirtyGirl Productions, a book studio that specializes in creating cutting-edge, immersive teen entertainment. The Bradford Novels, a series of teen novels with extensive online content, was conceived and developed by Elizabeth for FlirtyGirl and was published by Simon Pulse.

Elizabeth lives in a Philadelphia row house with her husband and occasional co-author, John, and their mischievous dog, Dorsey.

Reviews

[Kit Feral · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this hesitant as I don't like gendered books like this, though I do acknowledge girls need their own spaces. Unfortunately I felt let down by this. It was kind of boring, I know my girl wouldn't want to camp like this. She'd want less girl talk and more bug identification! I can see this being a good book for some people (maybe some city folk?) but not my girl.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awesome book for young girls to utilize when camping. Loved the sections on starting a campfire, recipes and hosting a slumber party. Thought the activities were a bit antiquated for modern girls.

[Don Gubler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel badly that girls and by extension ladies do not get the same outdoor experience that boys get. Someone should rectify that.