These openings are ideal to be read as the fire is lit (if it isn't already). They help to set the mood for the Campfire Program and mark it as a special ceremony to the attendees.
Brother Scouts, in the light of the campfire,
Let us come together with thankful hearts;
And let our ideals be ever before us like a blazing torch
Lighting a warm and steady path,
The light not dimming
And the peace not slackening.
The campfire is open.
The fire is lit, come lift your voice;
Let song and skit beguile the hours;
The fire is lit, so let's rejoice,
Our hearts are full, the night is ours.
Come, come, light up the fire,
Come, come, join in the ring,
Here find dreams to inspire,
Stories to tell, songs to sing.
May the smoke of this fire carry your thoughts heavenward,
And make your hearts strong for Scouting.
Behold the fire my comrades,
May its flames purify your hearts,
Let no unfriendly thoughts be harbored,
Let no harsh words be spoken
Keep the spirit of the campfire in your hearts forever,
Peace be to all men.
Behold the campfire, my young wolves,
May its flames clean our hearts.
Let no unfriendly thoughts remain,
Let no hurting words be spoken.
Keep the spirit of this campfire in your heart,
For, together, its flame makes us stronger.
From the North
From the South
From the East and the West,
Let all the spirits of peace come and join us.
The flicker of the campfire, the wind in the pines,
The moon in the heavens, the stars that shine.
A place where people gather to make friends of all kinds
A place where all our troubles are always left behind.
So give me the light of a campfire, warm and bright,
And give me some friends to sing with; I'll be here all night.
Love is for those who find it; I found mine right here.
Just you and me and the campfire and the songs we love to hear.
Each campfire lights anew
The flame of friendship true
The joy we've had in knowing you
Will last our whole life through.
And as the embers die away
We wish that we could ever stay
But since we cannot have our way
We'll come again some other day.
The fire is already laid. The Master-Of-The-Campfire raises their hand with the scout sign. Runners
with lighted torches (or candles) come from the four points of the compass to light the campfire.
NORTH WIND: I bring the cold that builds endurance.
SOUTH WIND: I bring the warmth of friendship.
EAST WIND: I bring the light of day.
WEST WIND: I bring the night sky, the moon and stars.
collect a small amount of ashes from each campfire and then
add those ashes at the beginning of the next campfire.
May the joining of the dead fires with these leaping flames symbolize once more the unbroken
chain that binds Scouts around the world.
Did you ever watch the campfire when the wood has fallen low,
And the ashes start to whiten 'round the embers' crimson glow?
When the night sounds all around you, making silence doubly sweet;
And a full moon high above you that makes the spell complete.
Tell me, are you ever nearer to the land of heart's desire
Than when you sit here thinking with your feet before the fire.
Tonight we burn a fire
With flames that sparkle and sing
Our hearts aglow with friendship
Let joyous laughter ring.
Tonight we share a moment
As we set the logs ablaze
A moment to remember
Throughout these wondrous days.
- Jane McCutcheon
Now the fading campfire light
Says its time to say "Good Night"
All the fun we've had today
Will soon belong to yesterday.
But though the fire is dwindling low,
Though the flame to embers go,
We will ever keep the glow
Of friendship in our hearts
As our campfire smoke curls upward,
May all that is evil go along with it,
And may some kind evening breeze waft it away,
Never to be seen again,
And may peace and deep contentment be our lot.
As our campfire grows and grows,
Let the smoke from its flames rise to
Carry our troubles and bad thoughts away,
Never to be seen again.
Thank you Great Spirit in heaven,
For this fire and the friendship we will share tonight.
Near our campfire circle stand the wigwams of our campers.
Dark behind them stands the forest, stands the chestnut, oak and hemlock,
Stand the pines with cones upon them.
Many things we learn and do here:
How the Great Spirit cares for all his faithful children,
Cares for all the forest people.
Learn they of the stars in heaven,
Of the birds that fly and nest here,
Learns the language of all creatures
Call them friends whene'er they meet them.
Oh, Great Spirit, then, in Heaven,
Send us flame to light our campfire
That we may for this be grateful.
Oh, Great Spirit, this we ask Thee,
Send us fire, and we shall praise Thee.
Leader: (standing in front of the fire lay, carrying a simple torch and a
lighter.) Tonight, to ensure our campfire burns true, we will bestow
upon it three gifts.
Three Scouts approach the fire lay. Each carries within his cupped hands
a compacted bundle of very dry tinder mixed with light kindling. One at a
time, they step up to the fire site, and before placing their bundle into the
log cabin fire lay, they deliver the following lines, loud and clear:
First Scout: Duty to God and Country and to obey the Scout Law
Second Scout: Duty to help other people at all times
Third Scout: Duty to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight
After each has placed his bundle into the fire lay, the leader proceeds to
set the fire ablaze with the torch.
In this green and leafy campground,
Scouts together in the wood,
We circle round to tell our stories,
Scouting for the greater good.
Here we're thankful for Your bounty,
For our friends who gather near,
Help us now to light this fire,
Help us now to kindle cheer.
As glow the hearts of the logs upon this fire,
So may our hearts glow, and our thoughts be kind,
As glow the hearts of the logs upon this fire,
May peace and deep contentment fill every mind.
As the flames point upwards, so be our aims.
As the red logs glow, so be our sympathies.
As the grey ash fades, so be our errors.
And as the good fire warms our circle, so may our ideals warm the world.
As our campfire grows and grows, let the smoke from its flames
rise to carry all our bad thoughts away, never to be seen again.
Let the heat of this fire's flames warm us all, and as we share its
warmth, let us share the peace and contentment that grows inside us all.
As our campfire grows and grows, let the smoke from its flames
rise to carry all our bad thoughts away, never to be seen again.
Let the heat of this fire's flames warm us all, and as we share its
warmth, let us share the peace and contentment that grows inside us all.
As our campfire smoke curls upward, may all that is mean and
unkind be carried away from our midst.
And in the friendly glow of our fire, may peace and contentment
wash over us all.
he fire is lit, come lift your voice;
Let song and skit fill the hours;
The fire is lit, so let's rejoice,
Our hearts are full, the night is ours.
Cold nights weighs down the forest bough,
Strange shapes go flitting through the gloom;
But see... a spark, a flame and now
The Wilderness is home.
Logs burn, flames rise,
Hearts glow, troubles die,
Each for all and all for each,
Happiness within our reach,
Joined together by the good,
Of world-wide Scoutings brotherhood.
Flames leaping - fire bright,
We be brothers here tonight.
Scent of smoke in the evening,
Smell of rain in the night,
The trees, the grass, the flowers,
The campfires are our delight.
Brother Scouts, the campfire is open.
From the North,
From the South,
From the East,
From the West,
May good Scouting come to you always.