1. Camp "Spirit" Opening Ceremony. 1

2. Campfire Opening. 2

3. Campfire Opening. 2

4. Campfire Opening. 2

5. Campfire Opening. 2

6. Campfire Opening. 2

7. Campfire Opening. 2

8. Campfire Opening. 2

9. Campfire Opening. 2

10. Campfire Opening. 3

11. Campfire Opening. 3

12. Meditation on Fire. 3

13. Song of the Campfire. 3

14. The Firemaker’s Desire. 3

 

 

List 5 readings you could use for your Campfire Opening.

 

	Song Title	Composer	Source
1
2
3
4
5

 

Some of my favourites:

 

 

SPIRIT OF THE WOODS

I am the Spirit of the Woods, come from my cool depths to welcome friendly spirits. You may live on flat plains - treeless, it may be, but still beautiful. Or you may live in mountain valleys whose changing shadows in the evening or in morning's cooling mists whisper secrets of beauty. Or perhaps on the sea coast where curling waves lap the sand or dashing surf beats the rocks. Perhaps some tree-covered slopes may shelter you, or city pavement surround you. It matters not what you call home. If you have the true spirit of nature, the love of outdoors, you are one with me in spirit and truth... and I bid you welcome.

(The Spirit of True Camper speaks the following lines, then all repeat in unison.)

We bow to thee, O Spirit of this Winter Camp and to all these Spirits of the Woods.

To thy Spirit, we swear eternal faith and love, here and in lands far from here.

 

SPIRIT OF THE TREES

I am the Spirit of the Trees. In ancient days, my kingdom stretched from coast to coast. But now, endangered by lack of knowledge of what I provide, I cling to these friendly mountains and bid welcome to my cool shades those who love me. I shelter you beneath my boughs. I am the tamarack, the hemlock, the spruce, the pine, the birch. My names are many, but my soul is one. Will you not today promise to love and protect me in order that I may continue my age-long service to mankind? I, the Spirit of the Trees, bid you welcome.

(All speak in unison after Spirit of True Camper)

We bow to thee, O Spirit of this Winter Camp and to all these Spirits of the Woods.

To thy Spirit, we swear eternal faith and love, here and in lands far from here.

 

SPIRIT OF THE LIVING THINGS

I am the Spirit of the Animal and Flower life of the woods. I am shy and do not love strangers but if you will find me quietly and gently, I will show you fascinating glimpses of strange and beautiful things. Enjoy me but leave me unharmed so that generations to come may enjoy me also. I, the Spirit of Living Things, bid you welcome.

(All speak in unison after Spirit of True Camper)

We bow to thee, O Spirit of this Winter Camp and to all these Spirits of the Woods.

To thy Spirit, we swear eternal faith and love, here and in lands far from here.

 

SPIRIT OF THE WATERS

I am the Spirit of the Waters. Unlike the trees, who are rooted to this soil, I do not stay too long in one place. I kiss the shores, linger a moment to hear your laughter and song and then speed on my way to the ocean, bringing pleasure to all in my travels. Do not pollute my waters, but leave them crystal-clear for those who shall come after you. I, the Spirit of the Waters, bid you welcome.

(All speak in unison after Spirit of True Camper)

We bow to thee, O Spirit of this Winter Camp and to all these Spirits of the Woods.

To thy Spirit, we swear eternal faith and love, here and in lands far from here.

 

SPIRIT OF THE CAMPFIRE

I am the Spirit of the Campfire. I hide myself in the limbs and stumps of trees. I do not come forward, until you set me free with the glowing match. I crackle and dance before you. I cook your food for you when you are hungry, dry you when you are wet, warm you when you are cold, protect you as you sleep and become the centre of laughter as you crowd around me for song and story. I, the Spirit of the Campfire, bid you welcome.

(All speak in unison after Spirit of True Camper)

We bow to thee, O Spirit of this Winter Camp and to all these Spirits of the Woods.

To thy Spirit, we swear eternal faith and love, here and in lands far from here.

 

SPIRIT OF THE TRUE CAMPER

I am the Spirit of the True Camper - the Spirit of this Winter Camp, the lover of the beautiful in nature, reader of her secrets that I may share her great soul. Welcome to the special circle of Winter Friendship Camp.

(All speak in unison now)

We bow to thee, O Spirit of this Winter Camp and to all these Spirits of the Woods.

To thy Spirit, we swear eternal faith and love, here and in lands far from here.

 

 

The simple life and friendly cheer,

May all those find who gather here.

 

 

Behold the fire, my friends.

May its flames purify your hearts,

Let no unfriendly thoughts be harboured,

Let no uncouth word be spoken,

Keep the spirit of the campfire in your hearts forever.

Peace be to all.

 

 

As the flames point upward, so be our aim;

As the red logs glow, so be our sympathies;

As the grey ash fades, so be our errors;

As this good fire warms us,

So may our ideal warm the world.

 

As our music cheers us, so be the melody of our lives;

As our mirth unites us, so be the harmony of our hearts;

As our spirits rise to the lilt of our song,

So may the Great Spirit uplift us to renewed endeavour;

And may the happy fellowship of this circle

Go out into all the world.

 

 

The call of the fire

Comes to us through the shadows

That follow the close of the day.

Its flames bring us peace

And a calmness of spirit

That drives all our troubles away.

 

We are thankful for days

And the joys that they bring us

For nights and the rest that they bring.

May we go on believing

In this joy we’re receiving

Just now ‘round the fire as we sing.

 

 

Kneel always when you light a fire,

Kneel reverently and thankful be

For God’s unfailing charity.

And on the ascending flame inspire

A little prayer that shall up bear

The incense of your thankfulness

For this sweet grace of warmth and light.

For here again is sacrifice for your delight.

 

 

Watch the flames leap upward – like our hopes, our aim reaches to the stars.

If our fire is bright, it will warm our circle, as good ideals warm the world.

Soon the red logs will glow like our sympathy for our fellowman

And when the gray ashes fade and become dead,

Let us leave with them the errors of the day.

 

 

Did you ever watch a campfire

When the wood has 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 above you

That the spell may be complete?

Tell me were you ever nearer

To the land of heart’s desire

Then when you sat there a-thinking

With your face turned toward the fire?

 

 

Give me the light of the campfire the wind in the pine

The moon in the heaven, the stars that shine

A place where all men travel, make friends of all kind

A place where all mens troubles are always left behind.

 

Give me the light of the campfire warm and bright

Give me some friends to sing with, I’ll be there all night

Love is for those that find it and I’ve found mine right here

So, give me the light of the campfire

And the songs we love to hear, what?

To hear, to hear, to hear, to hear, to hear, to hear ….. (fade)

 

 

The life of a fire is like the life of a person.

In its infancy, it is faint and weak and must be carefully nourished and tended.

As it catches, it crawls and spreads like a child exploring the world.

In its adolescence, it flares fast and bright, racing for new height.

Soon, it will burn with the steady heat and light of its adulthood.

 

 

Reader 1:       

Eternal Spirit, fire is one of Your gifts.

 

Reader 2:       

Help us to give the warmth of our love to others.

 

Reader 3:       

Fire brings light in the dark of the night.

 

Reader 4:       

Help our good turns bring light to those in need.

 

Reader 5:       

Fire gives us heat to cook our meals.

 

Reader 6:       

Help us not to waste food and to remember the hungry of the

world.

 

Reader 7:       

Fire, used carelessly, can destroy

 

Reader 8:       

Help us to use it, like all your gifts, in the right way.

 

Reader 9:       

Fire’s dancing colors brings us beauty and joy.

 

Reader 10:     

Help us spread happiness in a world that is often grey and sad.

 

Reader 11:     

We watch the fire with care, lest it leap out of control.

 

Reader 12:     

Help us watch our words with care. Lest we hurt a friend.

 

All Readers:    For fire, and all your gifts, we give You thanks.

 

 

Heed me, feed me, I am hungry, I am red-tongued with desire;

Boughs of balsam, slabs of cedar, gummy fagots of the pine;

Heap them on me, let me hug them to my eager heart of fire,

Roaring, soaring up to heaven as a symbol and a sign.

 

Bring me knots of summer maple, silver birch and tamarack;

Leaping, sweeping, I will lap them with my ardent wings of flame;

I will kindle them to glory, I will beat the darkness back;

Streaming, gleaming, I will gourd them to my glory and flame.

 

As fuel is brought to the fire

So I propose to bring

My strength,

My ambition,

My heart’s desire,

My joy

And my sorrow

To the fire

Of humankind.

For I will tend,

As my father’s fathers

Since time began

The fire that is called

The love of man for man,

The love man for God.