Campfire Planning

Why do we have campfires?  Because Scouts have always had them  They are fun and can have a purpose (Remember what Baden Powell said: “Scouting is a game with a purpose”)  Because they contribute so much to the outdoors experience. They make it special

What does a campfire try to accomplish? They can provide:  Fun / Entertainment  Fellowship  Inspiration  Education (not lecture)

How long should a campfire be? 30 minutes should be fine An hour at the most Remember, we want to stop while it is still fun, so we’ll want to do it again.

Successful campfire program – the 4 “S’s” and a “C”  S howmanship  S ongs  S kits / Stunts  S tories  C heers

S howmanship – art of attractive presentation  Campfire location  Costumes / props  Opening ceremony  Closing ceremony

S ongs - some types of songs we use at a campfire  Peppy – “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt”  Scouting – “On My Honor”  Patriotic – “America The Beautiful”  Action – “Head & Shoulder / Knees & Toes”  Novelty -- “Ghost Chickens”  Quiet – “Dip, Dip, and Swing”  Inspirational – “Scout Vespers”

S tunts / S kits  Originality –  Sources: o Scout publications o Internet (thousands) o Something that has happened at camp (if appropriate – discuss that later) Anyone ever seen an original skit in Scouting?

S tories Ghost – but be careful not to scare young Scouts Adventure / Survival Humorous Inspirational General Interest High-Point Story

C heers  Silly, fun  Action oriented  Positive  But appropriate!

The campfire must be well planned to achieve its purpose:

All songs, skits, stunts, or stories are not, necessarily, appropriate for a Scouting activity: Not Appropriate: Underwear Toilet paper Water (getting people wet) Sexual content or orientation Inside jokes (if everyone is not in on the joke) Alcohol, drugs, tobacco Cross-gender impersonation Profanity Derogatory to race, gender, or religion Embarrass anyone (be careful when getting unwilling participants from the audience)

Rules of thumb: o What would the Scout’s parents or other guest think of Scouting after watching the skit? -- How will YOU feel, wondering about that as THEY watch it? o What if the boy takes a skit he saw at a Scout campfire back to a school setting? When he gets in trouble with his teacher, he says, “I learned that at Scout camp.” o Unfortunately, just because it’s on TV does not make it appropriate for Scouts.

How do you stop inappropriate skits / songs? Prevention is best:  State the guidelines before planning skits  Review (or at least discuss) skits in advance (when practical) If a skit / song is started at the campfire and it is obvious it is inappropriate, the leader should step forward and state, to audience. “I’m sorry, but this skit is not appropriate for a Scouting activity, so we will proceed with the next skit.”

Campfire Discipline – make the rules known in advance  No razzing, booing, or heckling (unless planned part of skit, like a heroine / villain skit)  No cell phones, laser pointers, etc. – please!  Give attention to the presenters

A good rule for the flow of a campfire is: The program should follow the fire. Build quickly to roar, and then slowly quiet down Lively  Quieter Start with a bang and end with a whisper.

??? Thanks!