Did you ever watch a campfire?

When the wood had fallen low?

And the ashes start to whiten

Round the embers’ crimson glow?

With the night sounds all around you

Making silence doubly sweet,

And a full moon high about you

That the spell may be complete?

Tell me, were you ever nearer

To the land of heart’s desire

Than when you sat there a-thinking

With your feet before the fire?

 

- B. Riddoch

 

 

We have all been touched at one time or another by a perfect campfire, the theme appropriate, the choice of songs perfect, the singers enthusiastic – you know the good feelings, mood and memories created will linger with the participants long after the embers have died. Indeed this campfire may be one the participants remember well into their adult years.

 

This is campfire magic and magic doesn’t happen by accident or luck. Such a campfire has been well-planned. With skill, practice, thought and preparation, magical campfires can become the rule rather than the exception.

 

 

 

 

Campfire singing, whether inside or at a make believe campfire or outdoors with the warmth and glow of a real campfire can be an experience of a lifetime. But in order to have a happily anticipated and memorable campfire, this event, like all other items making up a program for a meeting or camp weekend must be planned. This planning involves thoughtful selection of songs and a prepared sequence with organized leadership.

 

To improve the quality and maintain a high level of interest in campfire time, there are a number of general principles, which can be helpful.

 

1.    In a well-organized group, the campfire can be planned and carried out by the participants themselves, with minimal direction from the Leader in Charge. In a newer group, it may be necessary for the Leader in Charge to take a more active part in the organizing and running of a campfire until the group members get the general idea of the campfire as part of their weekly meeting. Encourage the group members themselves to plan and carry out as much of the campfire program as they are capable of doing.

2.    When the entire responsibility for the campfire is in the hands of the group members, be sure that there is one person who is in charge of the overall program “The Campfire Leader.” Then direct all inquiries to them.

3.    Although planning is necessary, try to avoid a “program” atmosphere. Keep the campfire as informal as possible. Try to keep an atmosphere of spontaneity.

4.    Don’t try to include too much in the campfire. If the planned items take longer than anticipated, save some of them for the next campfire. Generally, a skit, short campfire game or other item and a concluding reading or meditation, with songs suitably interspersed, will be enough. With an outdoor campfire, plan you program with extra songs to ensure the campfire lasts as long as the flame.

5.    Keep the campfire short. As a general rule, the campfires held at the close of a regular meeting, should not be shorter than fifteen minutes and no longer than thirty.

6.    Base the campfire program around a central theme. Select songs, poetry, readings or skits to add to the groups’ interest in and knowledge of, the particular theme. Occasionally, however, a campfire will be more enjoyable if there is no special theme, the group being allowed to present any ideas desired.

7.    Maintain interest by variety. Alternate action songs and quieter songs. Make use of quick quizzes, charades and occasional inter-patrol competition, poetry and prose readings as well as humorous songs and stories.

8.    At certain times, it may be suitable to have the complete campfire follow a quieter theme. Then strike a contemplative mood with a religious reading or story which is inspirational or offers food for thought, a reading or concluding spiritual hymn encourage the group to reflect on the more serious aspects.

9.    Don’t be afraid to do something different. The scope of items, which may profitably be included in campfire, is almost limitless.

10. Keep the program moving. Don’t continue one item until everyone is bored. Cut it off when interest is high. Then a similar item will be well received another time.

11. Try to end the campfire on a quiet note. This may be accomplished by the use of a reflective poem, a brief meditation on one of the laws or singing of a quiet song or hymn.

12. In teaching a new song, don’t aim for perfection the first time it is sung. As long as the words and general idea of the tune are learned, wait for a second or third occasion to iron out the details.

Keep a notebook of campfire ideas, which are particularly successful. Make the entry as soon as possible after seeing the item to avoid forgetting the important details.

  

 

 

At first, concentrate on well-known favourites. Make sure the group members learn these thoroughly and correctly. Then introduce rounds to enlarge their repertoire and introduce harmony and part-singing. If it is simple, then it can be learned and even given a degree of expression all at one campfire. If it is a more difficult piece, tackle the melody one week, have the group learn the words. Fit the words in at the second go and perhaps add a descant or alto.

 

Each group should have a set of songbooks that can be used by the group and Leaders

in planning their campfires. Another helpful tool is for group to make their own songbook, a collection of favourites new and old, games, skits, stories, fun silly songs, vespers, etc. Keeping a log of what worked and didn’t is a good planning tool as well.

 

DO NOT let the group bury their noses in any book during campfire. Include folk songs and a variety of action songs to help supply the very important element of fun.

 

Avoid Songs in Bad Taste

 

·       Those with cheap vulgar words, the ghoulish songs.

·       The parodies when the tune is strongly associated with a completely different set of words from those being used.

·       Songs where the words contain cheap humour or have an unattractive story.

·       Avoid songs with poor poetic content, with sentimental jargon as words.

 

 

 

A Campfire is a dramatic presentation.

 

Physical Arrangements

 

·         Compact circle so that all can see, hear and be included

·         Comfort important – cold floors – sit-upon rather than chairs; 

      ventilation

·         Atmosphere – simulated fires inside; lights out

 

Planning

 

·         Use a campfire planning group

·         Importance of a written plan and checking it beforehand

 

Carrying out the Plan

 

·         The Campfire Leader(s)

·         Control of the group – starting and stopping

·         Pace

·         No interruptions – announcements, eating

 

The Program

 

·        Mood and theme

·        Opening – traditional fire opening, readings

·        Closing – traditional prayer, reading, vesper, taps

·        A vesper is praise and thanks to your creator, not just a quiet  song

·        Assess the needs of the group and consider: variety, fun, participation, non-musical items, (skits, games, stories, entertainment patrol, etc.)

·        Possible ingredients: rounds, part songs, fire songs, fun, action, rhythm, quiet, folk, rousers, etc.

 

Framework – Campfire shape…

 

·         Official Opening

·         Well Known Songs

·         Round & Part Songs

·         Fun Songs

·         Action Songs

·         Games

·         Rousing Songs

·         Quieter Songs

·         Story

·         Spiritual Songs

·         Vesper & Taps

·         Official Closing

 

Remember to “follow the flames"

 

·        When the flames are high, action songs, loud cheers, and noisy stunts get everyone involved!

·        When the flames bum down, have quiet songs, inspirational stories, and a respectful tone

·        Start FAST, reach a PEAK, slow DOWN, and give an inspiring CLOSE

 

Formal Campfire

 

·      Camp opening and closing

·      Fire candlelight procession to light special event

 

Informal Sing-A-Long

 

·       Regular meeting – routine format one or two oldies plus learn new ones

·       Special visitors (i.e. mothers, seniors, etc.)

·       Special themes or activity (i.e. holidays, puppets, instruments, talent nights, etc.)

·       Irregular meetings

·       Special speakers

·       Just chit-chat

·       Special discussion

·       Patrol games

·       All skits – fun and test work

·       Taking campfire out to someone or somewhere

 

Planned By

 

·         Campfire Planning Group duty rotation

·         Group Leaders

·         Appointee

 

Conducted By

 

·         Group Leader, after given program to follow

·         Campfire Leader

·         Volunteer from group

·         Several persons

 

Time for Campfire

 

·         End of meeting

·         Beginning of meeting (i.e. cook-out lunch/supper meeting  

      followed by hike, star gazing, sing while meal is cooking)

·         Camping weekend

·         Special event

 

The Fire

 

·       Choose a special place, away from the campsite, this means the participants will have to ‘go’ to Campfire

·       Traditional campfire formation is a circle with the fire in the center as a focal point.

·       Leave a gap in the circle downwind for smoke and sparks.

·       Never leave a burning fire unattended.

 

Indoor Campfires

 

·         Be creative with the focal point. Use your imagination

·         ‘Pretend” fire

·         Incense

·         Coloured logs

·         Specially built and lighted fires

·         Candles