Stoves For Camping

The Hawk Patrol did a good job demonstrating camping stoves and going over stove safety as the program for tonight’s meeting. They demonstrated how to use an older Coleman 2-burner camp stove that attaches to a propane bottle. ASM Britt Helms brought along three different types of lightweight stoves from his collection that were more suitable for backpacking.

They demonstrated and lit a foldable stove that used Sterno cans as the heat source. They demonstrated the MSR Whisperlite folding backpacking stove that uses white gas (Coleman Fuel). Finally they demonstrated a small stove called the “Penny Stove” that was made by Mr. Helms from three aluminium cans and a penny. The Penny Stove burns denatured alcohol.

Instructions for making the Penny Stove can be found HERE.   Scouts should get the help of an adult to build and operate the stove.

Scouts are also required to hold a current BSA Fireman Chit card which certifies that they have the knowledge and training needed to work with campfires and stoves.

Our community has recently been reminded of the potential dangers that surround the use of fire when a young Tega Cay resident, Conner McKemey, was burned over 85% of his body in an indicent in December.