CampFire Program

A campfire is something special, something to remember when the other memories of camp are fading, a magical coming together at the end of the day.  It is an opportunity to enjoy each other's company, to make music and laughter together, and to sit huddled up around the leaping flames which cast a warm glow over the circle of faces.  A campfire keeps away the dark and mysterious noises of the night from the nearby trees. Lack of preparation leads to the same old haphazard medley of the same old teased out songs, stories, and stunts done the same old way with no program, no planning or thought.  This leads to restlessness and boredom, a convenient and easy way just to use up the time between nightfall and bed. Campfires should be special, the culminating point of all the joyous, healthy activities of a day spent outdoors.  So how do we make them special? The answer lies in PREPARATION. The Fire: Make sure it will start right away.  Appoint a fire-keeper to be responsible for replenishing wood. Have a good supply of good wood. Make sure that everyone is seated comfortably, on logs, groundsheet, etc., and make sure everyone is in the circle. Camp-fire blankets and hats should be worn. Opening: Open the fire with a ceremony of some sort, or even a poem or prayer. Program: Start with the lively songs to warm things up, then bring in the yells, Patrol stunts, which should have been prepared beforehand.  Don't rely on dragging out unfortunate individuals at a moments notice. Above all, keep things brisk, flowing, and varied. A balance of noise and shouting with quiet musical singing, with a final quietening of the activities towards the ending. The Yarn: This can be one of the best items of a campfire program. Many Leaders are afraid of getting up and telling a yarn, there is no special skill to it, its just a matter of training and practice. Read up suitable stories beforehand and practice telling them at home, in the troop, in the mirror! Ending: As the fire dies down and glows darkly, so should the mood settle down into a warm glow of peace and quietness and rounding off the day with a quiet song or two, an evening hymn, a short maven or meditation, then quietly Goodnight!