Camping with kids is a ball if you are organized and have things that they like to do and eat. There are many things that you can make in and over the campfire depending what kind of utensils and cooking utensils you have. Cooking in Dutch Ovens is a lot of fun but should probably should be left to the adults like the scoutmasters, camp cooks, or parents I love to use my Lodge Cast Iron Dutch ovens to make stews and things like that and the blacker those pots get the better they cook.

The two favorite things that all kids like to cook over the campfire are hot dogs and marshmallows. The whole secret to that is to find some good roasting sticks. they have to bee something like a willow, elm, or aspen or something other than an evergreen that is full of resin. Find a good green branch that has some small branches coming off it and cut them or break them and sharpen and peel the bark off. That way you can roast two or three dogs at the same time. They have to be green or they will catch fire and burn up and drop you hot dog in the fire about the time they get done. I like hot dogs but the very best ones are the ones cooked over a campfire. When you get the hot dogs and baked beans done then it is time for the marshmallows Hershey Bars and graham crackers and the good old S'mores. Do you know why they are called that. Because every time you give one to a kid they say "I want some more. Hence "S'mores." Here is another kind of dessert recipe that we used to make at Boy Scout camp fifty years ago.

BANANA BOATS

Enough Bananas for one apiece
chocolate chips
miniature marshmallows
peanut butter

Peel back one strip of each banana, dip out some of the pulp and add the marshmallows, chocolate chips, and peanut butter, put back the peel, wrap tightly in tin foil and put in the coals for about five minutes, Unwrap and enjoy. Be careful, they are hot.

Another thing we used to make a lot was what we called hobo dinners. Take a pat of hamburger or sausage or a mixture of the two, a couple of medium red potatoes quartered, a medium onion cut in eighths, a yellow or zucchini squash, a bell pepper or most any other vegetable you like and have available. Make as many packages as you have people that will be eating. Season well with salt, pepper, a little garlic salt, and depending on if the kids like it a little Tony Chechere's Creole seasoning. Put a good sized chunk of butter on top and then wrap well in tinfoil and toss it in the coals and let cook an hour or two until the vegetables are done. Kids usually like those. Just make sure you have plenty or catsup. You know how kids are.

Learn more about this author, Bill Whitney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Great campfire recipes for kids?
We want to hear your view. Write now!