Campfire Planning Sheet

 

PROMOTE PARTICIPATION, FUN & FRIENDSHIP

 

Date:	May ___, 2013
Campfire Leader:	___________________________________
Campfire Theme:	As We Hike Along
Time Allowed:	60 minutes
Official Opening:	Poem – Hiking
	Tall Trees (4-Part Round)
Well Known Song:	Happy Wanderer
	As We Trek Along
Round Songs:	I Like The Flowers (4-Part Round)
	The Cuckoo (3-Part Round)
Part Song:	Tyrolean Trampling Song (2-Part Song)
Action Song:	An Austrian Went Yodeling
Fun Song:	The Ants Go Marching
Skit:	The Happy Hikers
Quieter Songs:	Walk Around
	On the Loose
Story	Climbing the Mountain
Spiritual:	An Irish Blessing
Vespers & Taps:	Night is Falling
	Taps

 

 

 

Awaken the senses
Explore and learn
Treasure the seasons
Natures' beauty at every turn

 

Climbing rocks
Walking trails
Leaves and grasses
The surface we sail

 

Open yourself up
Listen with your heart
Hear the wild calling
Become a whole, not part

 

Enjoy the majesty
Take in the sublime
Don't rush
Take time

 

Feel the wonder
The breeze on the air
Feel the sunlight
And be aware

 

Magnificent and beautiful
All coexisting
Excellence and perfection
The power of hiking

 

Tall trees that reach the sky

Mountains and lakes nearby

Draw near, my friends, come sing, my friends

Our campfire time is nigh

 

 

Chorus:

Fal-der-ri, fal-der-ra

Fal-der-ri, fal-der-ra ra ra ra ra ra

Fal-der-ri, fal-der-ra

(Sing the last line of the verse)

 

I love to go a-wandering

Along the mountain track

And as I go, I love to sing

My knapsack on my back

 

I love to wander by the stream

That dances in the sun

So joyously it calls to me

Come join my happy song

I wave my hat to all I meet

And they wave back at me

And blackbirds call so loud and clear

From every greenwood tree

Oh, may I go a-wandering

Until the day I die

And may I always laugh and sing

Beneath God’s clear blue sky

 

 

As we trek along together,

As we trek along.

Shall we sing a song together,

Shall we sing a song?

Love life, laughter and sorrow,

Who knows what comes tomorrow

Who knows and who cares,

As we trek along.

 

As we trek along together,

As we trek along.

Shall we sing a song together,

Shall we sing a song?

Though the way may be weary

Still our hearts will be cheery

If we sing a song

As we trek along.

 

 

I like the flowers, I love the daffodils,

I like the mountains, I love the rolling hills

I like the fireside, when all the lights are low,

 

Boom-ti-ar-a, Boom-ti-ar-a, Boom-ti-ar-a, Boom

 

 

'Twas on a summer's evening,

I walked the forest through

When suddenly I heard it,

A sweet and low cuckoo

 

Cuckoo, cuckoo,

Cuckoo, cuckoo cuckoo

Cuckoo, cuckoo,

Cuckoo, cuckoo cuckoo

 

Mister Moon, Mister Moon you're out too soon,

The sun is still in the sky.

Go back to bed and cover up your head

And wait 'till the night draws nigh.

 

Tra la la la la la la la,

Tra la la la la la la la,

Tra la la la la la la la,

Tra la la la la la la la.

 

 

Once an Austrian went yodeling on a mountain so high.

When along came a cuckoo bird interrupting his cry.

Yoooo-de-yo

Yodel-lay-hee, Yodel-lay-a-cuckoo, coo (3X)
Yodel lay-hee-hoo.

An Austrian went yodeling on a mountain so high.
When along came an avalanche interrupting his cry.
Yoooo-de-yo
Yodel-lay-hee, Yodel-lay-a-cuckoo, coo, swish (3X)
Yodel lay-hee-hoo.

Add the following in succession:
St. Bernard……….Dog panting sounds

Dairy Maid……….Swish, swish
Pretty Girl………Kiss, Kiss

Actions:

 

Yoooo-de-yo (rapidly slap knees)
Yodel-lay-hee-hoo (Slap thighs, Clap hands, snap fingers throughout the chorus)
Cuckoo coo (snap fingers)

Swoosh (swoop hands downward).
Grrr (hands up like bear claws)

Arf, arf (hands up like dog begging)
Tss, tss (pantomime milking cow)
Smack, smack (make kissing sound)

 

 

The ants go marching one-by-one Hurrah! Hurrah!

The ants go marching one-by-one Hurrah! Hurrah!

The ants go marching one-by-one

The little one stopped to suck his thumb

And they all went marching

Down, around the town

Boom, boom, boom

 

The ants go marching two-by-two....

 

Continue the verses with these changes:

 

Two-by-two:                       Tie his shoe

Three-by-three:                   Climb a tree

Four-by-four:                       Close the door

Five-by-five:                        Do a jive

Six-by-six:                           Pick up sticks

Seven-by-seven:                  Go to Heaven

Eight-by-eight:                     Close the gate

Nine-by-nine:                       Check the time

Ten-by-ten:                         Start again

 

 

Characters:             

Narrator

Happy Hikers (as many as desired)

 

Setting:                    

Bare stage.

The Happy Hikers stand in various stage positions, facing audience.         

 

Narrator:                  

(Gesturing to Hikers.)

Ladies, meet our Happy Hikers!

(Hikers smile, wave to audience, hike in place. Note: all movements are in place.)           

Let’s watch their adventures as they hike through the woods and over the mountains. There they go!

(Hikers increase pace slightly.)

 

Narrator:                  

(As she looks at Hikers.)

Looks like they’re climbing a steep hill!

(Hikers bend backward as if climbing.)

They’re on top! What a lovely view!

(Hikers look around in appreciation.)

Now watch them get down!

(Hikers slip and slide as if plunging downhill.)

They must be out of breath!

(Hikers hold hands on chests, breathe heavily.)

 

Narrator:                  

Now they’re passing through a meadow.

(Hikers walk, then halt. Narrator peers closely at Hikers.)

What do they see? A rabbit!

(Hikers swiftly glance from left to right.)

And a meadowlark!

(Hikers quickly glance from ground to sky.)

And a bumblebee!

(Hikers jerk heads and eyes about. Narrator cries out a warning.)

Watch out for the bumblebee!

(Hikers run swiftly in place, waving arms as if battling off a bumblebee.)

 

Narrator:                  

As I said, they are happy hikers, happy because of the beautiful mountains they see.

(Hikers happily shield eyes with palms and peer.)

And because of all that clean, fresh air they breathe.

(Hikers happily breathe while expanding their chests.)

And especially because they got away from that buzzing bumblebee!

(Hikers smile and nod, turn heads slightly to rear, wave good-bye to the bumblebee.)

 

Narrator:                  

Looks like they are tired from all that hiking.

(Hikers slow down, walk droopily. Narrator excitedly waves outward as she peers ahead.)

There’s just what they need, a cool, refreshing drink from the river.

Can you make it to the river, Happy Hikers?

(Hikers nod, pick up speed, kneel down at river, drink, scoop water over their faces.)

                                   

Narrator:                  

Ah! How refreshing! On your way, Happy Hikers!

(Hikers rise. Narrator speaks to them with caution.)

Try to jump all the way across the river, keep those little tootsies dry!

(Hikers jump but look down in dismay as they shake their wet feet. Narrator speaks sympathetically.)                           

Don’t feel too bad about not making it, after all, that river was more than a block wide. At least you have cool toes.                                                                  

 

Narrator:                  

(As she looks ahead.)

Look what’s in front of them, a fork in the road. Hope they take the right road.

(Hikers turn somewhat to left.)

No, they took the left road. Well, maybe the left road is the right road.

(Narrator is confused by her own speech.)

Maybe we’d better just see what happens.

(Hikers turn in circles as they march in place; some turn in left circles, some in right circles. The Narrator is distressed.)

They’re lost! I guess the right road was the left road after all. Hmmm, I’d better not start that again.

(Narrator sighs in relief as the Hikers again march straight ahead.)

Looks like all is right, I mean, all is well.

 

Narrator:                  

I wonder when they will stop for lunch.

(Hikers suddenly stop, keep heads and eyes straight ahead, reach into pockets, bring imaginary bits of food to lips, munch briefly, take handkerchiefs from pockets, quickly pat lips, replace handkerchiefs, resume marching. Note: this action should be done in unison or with as much unison as possible. The Narrator shakes her head in surprise.)

Guess they weren’t very hungry.

 

Narrator:                  

Look! A lovely lake.

I wonder if they will hike around it or swim across?

Let’s see.

(Hikers sit on floor as if getting into rowboats, making rowing motions. The Narrator smiles, shrugs.)

I guess that’s better than trying to hike across.

(Hikers stand, resume marching.)

 

Narrator:                  

(Peers at trail)

Look at that crooked trail ahead! Nothing but twists and   turns!

(Hikers twist and turn in various directions as they march. Note: this need not be done in unison; players twist about individually. After a few seconds they resume their forward march. Narrator sighs.)

I’m glad that’s over, I was getting dizzy.

 

Narrator:                  

Looks like they have come to the end of the trail. I wonder what their final destination is?

(Narrator speaks to Hikers.)

Say Happy Hikers, wait a minute.

(Hikers halt.)

Now that you have reached the end of your hike, what are you going to do next?

(Hikers grim broadly, march with a higher and livelier step than before. The Narrator staggers as if fainting, painfully holds her head.)

You mean that the next thing you are going to do is march some more?

(Hikers vigorously nod their heads. The Narrator apologetically speaks to the audience.)

I’m sorry folks, but I just can’t keep up with them any longer. Good-bye.

(Narrator waves to Hikers.)

And a happy hike to you. Happy Hikers.

(Narrator weakly exits at right. The Hikers face left, march off while keeping heads and eyes turned off stage, wave farewell to audience.)

 

Rivers that sparkle and rush along free

Forests so tall and green

Dressed in her finery, Canada fair

None are as lucky as we.

 

Chorus:

Oh-h-h, walk around, look around

Take the time to say

How lucky I am that I live in this land

Of Canada today.

 

All kinds of people from faraway lands

Blended into one

Customs and cultures we're willing to share

As true Canadians.

 

Pioneers suffered to settle this land

The New World was its name

Fairness and freedom they wanted for all

Let's live up to what they claim.

Miles of highway are ours to explore

An ever-changing view

Four different seasons we know and enjoy

Whether rich we be or poor.

 

 

Have you ever watched a sunrise turn the sky completely red?

Have you slept beneath the moon and stars a pine grove for your bed?

Do you sit and talk with friends though not a word is ever said?

Then you’re like me and you’ve been on the loose.

 

Chorus:       

On the loose to climb a mountain,

On the loose where I am free,

On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be.

For I’ve only got a moment and the whole world yet to see,

I’ll be looking for tomorrow on the loose.

 

There’s a trail that I’ll be hiking, just to see where it might go

Many places yet to visit, many people yet to know.

For in following my dreams, I will live and I will grow.

In a world that’s waiting out there on the loose.

 

So in search of love and laughter, I am travelling ‘cross this land.

Never sure of where I’m going, for I haven’t any plans.

And in time when you are ready, come and join me, take my hand.

And together we’ll share life out on the loose.

 

 

Divide the group into three smaller groups and assign each group one of the words listed below. Read the story. After each of the words is read pause for the group to make the appropriate response.

 

GIRLS	"I'll get this right!'
CHIEF	Hit thighs rhythmically
MOUNTAIN	Pooff, Pooff!

 

Far away in our dry southwestern country is an Indian village, set in front of a high MOUNTAIN___, towering up out of the desert. It is considered a great feat to climb this MOUNTAIN___, so that all the GIRLS___ of the village were eager to attempt it. One day the CHIEF___ said, "Now GIRLS___, you may all go today and try to climb the MOUNTAIN___. Start right after breakfast, and go each of you as far as you can. Then when you are tired, come back; but let each GIRL___ bring a twig from the place where she turned.

Away the GIRLS___ went; full of hope, each feeling that she surely could reach the top. But soon a small GIRL___ came back, and in her hand she held a leaf of cactus and gave it to the CHIEF___. The CHIEF___ smiled and said, "My GIRL___, you did not reach the foot of the MOUNTAIN ___; you did not even get across the desert." Later a second GIRL___ returned. She carried a twig of sagebrush. "Well," said the CHIEF___, "You got up as far as the MOUNTAIN___ springs. Another came later with some bucks horn. The CHIEF___ smiled when she saw it and spoke, "You were climbing; you were up to the first slide rock."

Later in the afternoon, one GIRL___ arrived with a cedar spray, and the old CHIEF___ said: Well done, you went halfway up. An hour afterward, a GIRL___ came with a switch of pine. To her the CHIEF___ said, "Good, you went to the third belt; you made three quarters of the climb."

The sun was low when the last GIRL___ returned. She was a tall, splendid GIRL___ of noble character. Her hand was empty as she approached the CHIEF___ but her face was radiant. She said, "My father, there were no trees where I turned back. I saw no twigs, but I saw the shining sea." Now the old CHIEF'S___ face glowed too as she said aloud and almost sang, "I knew it! When I looked on your face, I knew it. You have been to the top. You need no twigs for token. It is written in your eyes and it rings in your voice. My GIRL___, you have felt the uplift; you have seen the glory of the MOUNTAIN___."

Oh, ye Guiders keep this in mind, then; the badges we offer for attainment are not prizes. Prizes are things of value taken from another. Badges though are merely tokens of what you have done, or where you have been. They are mere twigs from the trail to show how far you have gotten in climbing the MOUNTAIN___.

 

 

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again someday,

May God hold you in the palm of God’s hand.

May the memories that we have shared linger on and on.

 

 

Night is falling,

Stars are bright.

Have I said my last good-night?

Lord above look down on me

And help me through the night.

 

Thank you for a lovely day.

Thank you for showing me the way.

Thank you for all you have given me,

Good-night, O Lord, good-night.

 

 

Day is done

Gone the sun

From the lake,

From the hills,

From the sky,

All is well

Safely rest

God is nigh.

 

 

"Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune— I myself am good fortune;
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Strong and content, I travel the open road.

The earth—that is sufficient;
I do not want the constellations any nearer;
I know they are very well where they are;
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.
(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens;
I carry them, men and women—I carry them with me wherever I go; I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them;
I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return.)

You road I enter upon and look around!
I believe you are not all that is here;
I believe that much unseen is also here."

- Walt Whitman, "Song of the Open Road," Leaves of Grass, 1890.