Campfire Magic

WHOLE CONFERENCE

Campfire Magic • What is campfire magic…

– The magic of the campfire is crafted through the skill of the campfire chief, delivered through the frivolity of program activities and measured by the individual memories of each participant.

• Alternate means of definition

– Is an intangible value measured through individual and unique memories of youth and adults alike, who recall their fondest memories of campfire mysteries.

Campfire magic cannot be touched, felt or physically measured, yet can be witnessed through individual expression

Three “A’s”

– Atmosphere• All about setting the mood

– Audience Engagement• Setting expectations

– Activities• What happens in the campfire

1

Atmosphere

• Setting the mood– Formal campfire

• Built on ceremony and formality• Use ushers/assistants

– Usher greets audience» Provides campfire Etiquette» Leads audience into camp fire

area

• Camp fire entrance– Walkway is lit– Create a gate if you are ambitious

• Entry and exit from campfire is defined

2

Atmosphere

• Setting the mood– Informal campfire

– Less formality• Campfire etiquette still applies• Normal camp fire entrance• Camp fire chief welcomes audience

• Can have ushers sing songs or setup cheering/jeering songs prior to entry into campfire

– Allows people to enter campfire area with a smile and cheer in their hearts

– Example– “There ain’t no flies on us…”

3

Atmosphere

• Camp fire– If it is to be lit ahead of time – it

must be set ablaze just before audience enters

• Sets the scene with warmth and anticipation

– Can be lit once audience has entered the campfire area

• Lit by campfire chief• Lit by artistic activity

4

Audience Engagement

• Setting expectations– Campfire chief can escalate

atmosphere through audience engagement before campfire

• Ask groups to prepare songs, skits, cheers and/or stories prior to camp fire

– Youth are excited to perform and do their best

• Campfire may be tied into camp ‘theme’ or opening can be performed through “magical” or “ceremonial”

– Use special guests• Opportunity for linking

5

Audience Engagement

• Setting expectations– Campfire chief should always

have a program outline• The best Campfire chiefs never get

caught scrambling

• Always assign a song/skit/cheer to

groups– This provides your participants with

something to work on

BUT…– Tell groups they are free to change

their assigned activity as long as they let your know

5

Audience Engagement

• Campfire journey– Follow the campfire energy– Opening and closing

• Make it meaningful and make it relate to the age of your audience

– Songs• At the start

– Rousing and activity songs– Engage participants and get them on

your side» Get on your feet songs» Activity / action songs

– Slowly wind down as the flames slowly die away

6

Audience Engagement

• Cheers – Every group should perform a

cheer• Short and positive

– Campfire blankets• Campfire chief should wear their

blanket– Colorful and shows your experience

– Follow your camp themeExample:

Pirate captain at pirate camp fire

Use your pirate voice

Use theme based songs

7

Activities

• Campfire start– Try the ‘wow’ factor

• Flaming arrow• Catapult toss• Chemical burn• Spiritual • Burning staff• Busker – fire eater• Electric wire

– Campfire starts have to be practiced for safety and “must work first time”

• Nothing beats a first time fire start as it impresses everyone

– “There’s a scout leader who was prepared”

8

Activities

• Camp chief– Welcomes the audience– Gathers attention to themselves

• Be light, be humorous, be interesting

– Project your voice• Firm – no need to shout – your calm voice

should be all that you need• Speak clear, speak with authority

– Walk around – be seen by your audience and engage them

– Talk to your audience– Be the glue that connects the activities

and creates the campfire flow• Try to not keep referring to your notes

– Extend an arm to invite your participants to enter the campfire circle

9

Activities

• Cheers and skits– Campfire chief should know what

cheers and skits are being conducted

• This will save embarrassing or inappropriate material from being heard

– Songs• If a new song is being introduced.

The Campfire chief should ask the group performing the song to lead the audience through the verses.

– This should be tried a few times in order for everyone to learn and participate in the new song

10

Activities

• Spiritual activities– Ashes

• Ash ceremony – Drop your ashes in

– Pick up ashes afterwards

» Good for formal and informal campfires

– Fallen Scouters’• Names of Scouters who have passed

away. Their names are written on a log– Placed in the fire to enhance the fire

– Best placed early in the campfire as it helps keep the flames high and can be seen as a tribute to the energy, life force and spirit of those who have passed on

– Can be placed near the end so the new flames represent a the spark of remembrance amid the glowing ashes

» Best suited to formal campfires

10

Activities

• Chemicals– Can liven the colors of the

campfire– Strategically placed in the fire at

the start so the fire turns different colors as it burns

** CAUTION**Know your stuffMeasure accurately and know the

reactionGet your timing right** Practice Practice Practice**

– Sugar – adds sparkle

12

Activities

• Investiture– Investiture can be performed at

camp fires• Perform at night with a chemical

celebration for colored sparkles for example

13

Types of Campfire

• Outdoor campfire– Traditional: Wood, flame– For those rainy days

• Lanterns in a circle facing outwards• 50 Tea-Lights placed on the ground• Wood stacked together but not lit

– Just a good campfire chief who can get the audience engagement

• Indoor campfire– Electric campfire– Wood stacked together but not lit

14

Types of Campfire

• Indoor campfire

– Prepare the camp fire: Napkin– Wood: Twiglets or pretzels– Ash: Coconut – Wood sticks: Cocktail sticks– Flame on stick: Red licorice– Ash: Chocolate chips– Flames: Cheetos chips– Water: Juice or 7-UP pop

– Build the campfire and then eat it up!!

15

Resources

• Scout Campfire book– (The red one)

• Your fellow scout leaders– Venturers / Scouts (little pyros)

• Internet– Mac Scouter– Stittsville Web site– Google and follow the links

• Your Area service team17

Resources

• Flaming arrow– Steel wire, nail and zip loc bag

• Burning staff– Walking stick and small BBQ lighter

• Catapult toss– Ball of fire (toilet roll pre-soaked)

• Busker (Fire eater)– Toilet roll (pre-soaked)– Colored oils– Olive oil for hands on fire experience– Trusted helper

• Electric– Bike battery, steel wool, wire buried ½

inch into the ground

18