CAMPFIRE

CREW LEADER TRAINING COURSECourse Recognition no. _____

The campfire is a gathering of Scouts around a fire to while away the hours of the night, way before taps, while in camp. It is a time for fun and laughter, for telling jokes and funny stories that happened while in camp, for singing songs and sharing exciting incidents and adventures encountered during a just concluded hike, a time for games and for showing off, a time for the strengthening of friendship and the Scouting spirit.

INGREDIENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE CAMPFIRE

An effective campfire is the result of good planning and preparation. A good rule to follow in planning the campfire program is to follow the flames. Start slow as the fire begins to glow and then as the fire gently grows bigger and brighter, build to a high point of lively and active presentation and participation and as the fire slowly turns into embers, slow down to quiet, partiotic, spiritual, inspirational, meditational songs, poems and messages.

Depending on the skill of the Program Officer and the response of the participants, a Troop Campfire will vary between 60 to 90 minutes. Another good rule to follow is end the campfire while every body is still clamoring for more, at it’s height. Better to close the program with everybody clamoring for more than let the campfire go boring and die a natural death.

1. Opening Ceremonials

2. Songs and Cheers

3. Stories

4. Games

5. Dramatics

6. Recognition and Awards

7. Information and announcement

Every effective campfire will have the following ingredients;

8. Inspirational Message

9. Closing Ceremonies

Types of Campfire

10.Presentative

11.Fellowship or Social

12.Inspirational or spiritual

Campfires may further be classified according to themes, thus:

1. Ideals Campfire

2. Skills Campfire

3. Ceremonial Campfire

Parts of Campfire

1. Opening Ceremony:

- Lighting of the fire

- Presentation of the Campfire to the Campfire Chief

- Formal Declaration of the Campfire Opening

2. Presentations:

- Songs

- Yells

- Skits

- Stunts and tricks

- Stories

- Games

- Ice Breakers

2. Presentations:

- Songs

- Yells

- Skits

- Stunts and tricks

- Stories

- Games

- Ice Breakers