Campfire Without the Fire
| Category: | Planning |
|---|---|
| Notes: | Explores creative alternatives to traditional campfires for use during fire bans, indoor events, or sensitive environments. Offers ideas for lights, structure, and energy. |
Whether due to fire restrictions, indoor venues, or just soggy weather, sometimes the flames we count on for campfire programs aren't available. But take heart—Scouts have always been resourceful, and you don't need real fire to create real magic.
Why Go Fire-Free?
Fire bans are increasingly common in dry seasons. Some indoor facilities or camps prohibit open flames entirely. Other times, you may want a symbolic fire for a rehearsal or Cub Scout meeting. In all these cases, your campfire program can still burn bright—with a little creativity.
Fire-Free Solutions
- LED Lantern Circles: Use battery-powered lanterns in the center of your circle. Wrap them in red/yellow tissue paper or translucent fabric for a warm glow. Arrange them in a ring or triangle like a real fire layout.
- Mock Campfires: Build a campfire structure using small logs or sticks, with an LED puck light or string lights at the center. Some add cellophane "flames" fluttering from a small fan for visual effect.
- Projection Flames: Use a small LED flame projector or campfire animation against a screen or wall. Bonus points for syncing it to background crackling sounds.
- Glow Stick Fire: For younger Scouts, arrange red and yellow glow sticks inside a ring of stones or sticks. It's low effort and still gets "ooohs" from the Cubs.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
Just because there's no heat doesn't mean there's no heart. Run your program as you normally would—songs, skits, cheers, Scoutmaster Minute, closing reflection. Encourage Scouts to treat the mock fire with the same respect they would a real one.
Make the lighting of your mock fire part of the ceremony: maybe the SPL or den leader "strikes" a flashlight against a rock or makes a dramatic match-lighting gesture, followed by a pause and the lights flicking on.
Scout Spirit > Sparks
What truly matters at a campfire isn't the fuel—it's the fellowship. A mock campfire can be just as powerful, emotional, and unifying as the real thing. And when it comes time to return to flame-lit programs, your Scouts will carry those lessons of creativity, respect, and reverence forward.