The Singing Scoutmaster: Planning Your Campfire Program
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Introduction To Campfire Programs
A campfire program is a gathering of Scouts, troop leaders, and family members for fun and fellowship. Despite its
name, it doesn't necessarily have to occur at night or include an actual fire.
Campfire programs offer a unique platform for honing public speaking, creativity, and planning skills while
preserving the tradition of oral history and storytelling.
Note: Planning, scriptwriting, and serving as an Emcee, Cheer-Master or Song-Master can satisfy requirement 8 of
the Communications Merit Badge:
Plan a troop or crew court of honor, campfire program, or interfaith worship service.
Get approval from the patrol leaders' council, then proceed to scriptwriting and program preparation.
Serve as the master of ceremonies (MC or Emcee "Master Of The Fire", Cheer-Master or Song-Master)
Campfire programs provide Scouts with a valuable opportunity to develop essential skills, fostering growth in
public speaking, creativity, and organizational abilities.
Scouts and campfire programs are an enduring combination. Whether performing, assisting behind the scenes, or
simply observing, campfire programs empower Scouts of all ages to engage, express themselves, and gain
insights into their peers and themselves.
Campfire ceremonies reinforce Scouting principles of patriotism, citizenship, and duty to God. Respect is
paramount during ceremonies, setting the tone through example and communication.
Elements of a Campfire Program
A successful campfire program includes four key elements:
Showmanship: Elevate your event with captivating opening and closing ceremonies, adding flair
and potentially incorporating a creative way to light the campfire (if used).
Songs: Explore a variety of songs, from playful Scouting tunes to the National Anthem.
Stories: Whether humorous or suspenseful, stories play a crucial role in campfires.
Skits: Both pre-planned and improvised skits can be entertaining; involve the audience
for added interest.
An often-overlooked fifth key element is Cheers, Yells and Applauses, providing a fun way to
acknowledge performances and encourage audience participation. The Master-Of-The-Campfire should list a few of
these elements on the planning form to suggest ideas for celebrating acts.
Campfire Etiquette
Enter the campfire circle silently.
Sit by patrols in a circle around the fire, avoiding running and horseplay.
Avoid poking sticks or throwing garbage into the fire; only the Keeper-Of-The-Flame should tend the fire.
Be courteous; refrain from talking during songs or skits.
Applaud and cheer all contributors for their efforts.
Keep flashlights and electronics turned off after entering the campfire circle.
Exit the campfire circle in silence.
Leadership Roles
Ideally, designate the leadership roles for thecampfire program during the
monthly PLC meeting. The roles might need to be set for a month out to give time for the Master-Of-The-Campfire
to get sign-ups plan the campfire and then get approval from the PLC. Similar to duty rosters for cooking and
cleaning, this should be a rotating duty.
These leadership roles can be fulfilled by one person with the exception of the Keeper-Of-The-Flame,
as they need to be focused on the fire.
Master-Of-The-Campfire - responsible for planning, scripting, and acts as Emcee
Song-Master - responsible for leading the songs.
Cheer-Master - responsible for leading cheers, yells and applauses.
Keeper-Of-The-Flame - to manage lighting, maintenance, and extinguishing of the campfire.
Encourage adult participation. Initially, lead by example to teach the art of the campfire program. Later,
actively participate.
Introducing New Elements
During the campfire program itself may not be the opportune time to teach new elements. Sometimes it
can't be avoided, such as Parents' night, Cub Scout visitation night, etc.
When introducing new cheers, applause, or songs, have the Emcee, Cheer-Master or Song-Master teach them to the
group.
Duration
Aim for a duration of 45 minutes to an hour. Consider the attention span of younger participants like Cubs.
It's tempting to want to turn the campfire program into a songfest, but resist the urge. Leave the audience wanting more.
Program Flow
Campfire Pacing
Use the campfire flame as a guide for pacing. High flames signal energy, ideal for audience participation
songs and skits. As the fire burns down, shift to slower songs, calmer stories, and a short inspirational
talk.
Opening
The formal opening can be organized around the lighting of the camp fire. Or it
can begin with the dramatic entry of those leading the activities perhaps a procession with
candles or torches.
Build-Up
After the opening, continue with well-known songs, rounds, fun songs, action
songs, games, skits, and yells building excitement as the flames grow higher.
Wind Down
As the fire peaks and starts to burn down, transition from rousing songs to slower, quieter melodies,
stories, Scouter's
Five,
spiritual songs, vespers, taps, and a closing verse to bring down the energy. Consider ending with a short silence
or a reflective moment.
The Fire
There are many resources about safe fire handling and fire safety. These small tips are just a subset of
safe fire usage for Scouts. The Keeper-Of-The-Flame should have demonstrated their knowledge and have
earned their "Firem'n Chit""
There are some safe handling, fire safety and more information on building ceremonial campfires locate at The Ceremonial Campfire
Adhere to "Leave No Trace" and safe fire location principles when selecting a fire location.
Ensure the location is properly prepared; avoid creating a new fire ring if one already exists.
Have fire control measures such as buckets of sand or water and shovels nearby.
The Keeper-Of-The-Flame should attend to the fire throughout the program.
Construct a robust fire with three solid rows of logs at the base and a log cabin fire on top. Light the log
cabin fire, and it will burn down, providing light for the actors.
Avoid adding wood after the program starts; adjusting the pace of the campfire program is best done without
altering the fire's mood.
Can't have a Fire?
In Texas and many other parts of the country, the weather or burn bans may prohibit open fires. In my opinion, the campfire program
is too valuable and has too many benefits to skip when you can't haave an actual fire. Sometimes, having the program
in less-than-ideal conditions can actually make a more memorable experience.
Consider using lamps with reflectors or shades to illuminate the "stage" and prevent direct light shining into the
audience's eyes.
In inclement weather, hold the campfire program under an awning.
Campfire Program Don'ts
Avoid embarrassing Scouts, staff, or adults, and refrain from content that may raise concerns among parents
about what their Scout may be learning.
No squirting or spitting water.
Avoid using actual food.
Maintain a clean program, steering clear of toilet humor, dirty jokes, racism, sexism, or any inappropriate
content. Minimize violence, using it only sparingly and never to resolve conflict.
Screen and approve all program elements for content, placement, and duplication to ensure a well-curated
public performance.
Emergency Preparedness For Cubs
Since campfires are an outdoor activity, and for many cubs a family campout may be their first exposure to outdoors and camping, it only makes sense to prepare them for emergencies that may arise.
Introduction to Emergencies:
Start by explaining what emergencies are in a way that's easy for Cub Scouts to understand. Use examples like severe weather, accidents, or getting lost.
Know Your Emergency Contacts:
Teach Cub Scouts how to memorize or carry emergency contact information, including their parents' phone numbers, and perhaps a trusted neighbor or relative.
Create a Personal Information Card:
Have each Cub Scout create a personal information card with their name, address, emergency contacts, any allergies or medical conditions, and any special instructions. Encourage them to keep it in their backpack or wallet.
Develop an Emergency Plan:
Work together to create a simple emergency plan. Include where to meet if separated during an emergency, like a designated spot in the neighborhood or at school.
Practice Basic First Aid:
Teach basic first aid skills appropriate for their age level. This could include how to clean and bandage a small cut or what to do if someone is choking.
Fire Safety:
Teach Cub Scouts about fire safety, including how to safely escape a building in case of a fire and what to do if their clothes catch fire (stop, drop, and roll).
Weather Awareness:
Discuss different types of severe weather and what to do during each type. Teach them to recognize the signs of approaching storms and the importance of seeking shelter.
Outdoor Safety:
When going on outdoor activities, teach Cub Scouts about wilderness safety, including how to stay safe while hiking, what to do if they get lost, and how to identify and avoid hazards.
Role-playing Scenarios:
Engage Cub Scouts in role-playing scenarios to help reinforce what they've learned. You can simulate scenarios like what to do during a thunderstorm or how to respond if someone is injured.
Review and Reiterate:
Regularly review the emergency preparedness skills with Cub Scouts to ensure they remember what to do in case of an emergency. Make it a part of your regular meetings or activities.
Earn a Badge or Patch:
Many Scout organizations offer badges or patches related to emergency preparedness. Work towards earning these badges to encourage Cub Scouts to learn and practice these important skills.
Involve Parents:
Encourage parents to reinforce emergency preparedness skills at home and to review the family's emergency plan with their Cub Scout regularly. This helps ensure consistency and reinforces the importance of being prepared.
Song Selection
Choosing the right song for each stage of the campfire program is crucial. Not only should the leader and
audience be familiar with the song, but it must also be suitable in content, tempo, and age appropriateness.
Fast Songs - Kick off the campfire with lively, active, and somewhat rowdy songs to match the vibrant flames.
Medium Songs - The main part of the campfire should feature songs with a moderate tempo, neither too rowdy nor
too slow.
Slow Songs - As the campfire winds down, transition to more serious, slower tempo songs for the closing.
Action Songs - Include songs with hand motions, standing and sitting, or other movements early in the program.
Rounds - Explore two- or three-part rounds, usually slower or medium songs, in the latter half of the
campfireprogram. Ensure consistent leadership and tempo for round songs.
Music
Instrumental accompaniment, whether with a guitar, ukulele, or even kazoos, enhances the singing around the
campfire. Practice with the instrumentalist and song leader is essential for a harmonious performance. A pitch
pipe, while not necessary, can be handy to help with the first pitch of a song.
Skits
Skits are usually not longer than 3-5 minutes and are ideally somewhere around 90 seconds
Avoid ad-hoc or unplanned skits from Patrols (because they usually aren't funny, are too long
and don't make any sense)
Rehearse the skit beforehand. It will increase the Scouts' confidence and can help to avoid
whispering, fumbling, amnesia, arguing about who says what, and all sorts of problems.
Campfire Material must pass Appropriateness Test
Stories
Campfire stories fall into several categories:
Humorous Stories - Endearing tales with funny or twisted endings, "Shaggy Dog" stories, tall tales, or lengthy
jokes.
Historic Stories - Narratives of pioneers, Native Americans, frontiersmen, Scouting history, local history,
and folklore.
Inspirational Stories - Stories with moral lessons or those promoting Scouting ideals. Cubmaster / Scoutmaster
minutes essentially serve as inspirational stories.
Scary Stories - Traditional "ghost stories" add suspense to the program.
General rules for stories:
Keep them short, maintaining the audience's interest; stories, like other campfire program elements, should be
limited to 3-4 minutes.
Speak clearly, ensuring the audience in the last row can hear the storyteller.
Enhance the storytelling experience with costumes and props.
Maintain a high moral level in stories, aligning with the overall tone of the campfire program.
Campfire Program Planning Process
As an aid to planning your Campfire Program, there are several PDF forms that can be printed and used to help
with the planning process.
As soon as possible after becoming Master-Of-The-Campfire, check with each patrol (including the adult patrol)
and solicit requests for songs, and sign-ups for skits and stories. To begin with you want to list these for
reference when you start planning the actual lineup.
Each entry needs to be vetted for appropriateness, and to make sure there are no duplicates, as some skits and
songs may be known by different titles.
An active troop may offer too many items to be presented in the time alloted, so the Master-Of-The-Campfire
should limit the number of sign-ups or pick and choose the ones that best fit into the program.
After you have your skits, stories and song requests, you should have enough information to begin filling out the
program schedule worksheet.
Sample Program Schedule
Section 1: Program date and leaders
The first section is administrative, and the leadership roles should have been assigned at the previous PLC.
Section 2: Cheers / Yells / Applauses Prepared
Fill in a group of applauses the Cheer-Master would like to use for the campout
Can Of Applause
Relay Cheer
Trail Boss Cheer
Round of Applause
Baseball Applause
Broken Trolley
Section 3: Program Order
Arrange the acts into the order you wish, noting the leader and estimate how long the act will last.
Put the best act last and the second best act first. Noisy and lively acts should come early in the program and quieter acts toward the end.
The Emcee should introduce themselves, the Cheer-Master and Song-Master at the beginning.
The Emcee should recognize visitors, and introduce notable individuals present.
The Emcee should introduce each skit and story, and let the Cheer-Master and Song-Master introduce which Cheer or Song is up.
The Emcee might be needed to "Set The Scene" for some of the skits.
Run-Ons or Running Gags should not be introduced, as part of the entertainment is the surprise. Just be sure to acknowledge them at their conclusion.
Skits are usually not longer than 3-5 minutes and are ideally somewhere around 90 seconds
Try to move from one performance to the next without much delay
To avoid awkward delays, consider having a staging area for the next act or interspersing songs and cheers that can be done while props are being moved on "stage".
Avoid ad-hoc or unplanned skits from Patrols (because they usually aren't funny, are too long and don't make any sense)
Rehearse the skit beforehand. It will increase the Scouts' confidence and can help to avoid whispering, fumbling, amnesia, arguing about who says what, and all sorts of problems.
Campfire Material must pass Appropriateness Test
Spot
Title of Song, Story, or Skit
Leader
Length (minutes)
1
Campfire Opening #1
Emcee
1
2
Fire Lighting (if not already lit)
Emcee / Keeper-Of-The-Flame
3
3
Introductions of Cheer-Master / Song-Master
Emcee
3
4
Song: There Ain't No Bugs On Me
Song-Master
3
5
Skit: Big And Strong Like You
Bat Patrol
3
6
Applause (Choose one)
Cheer-Master
2
7
Run On: Let's Toss Jack (Part 1)
Robin Patrol
2
8
Song: Sponge Bob FUN Song
Song-Master
2
9
Story: The Cremation Of Sam McGee
Asst. Scoutmaster Smith
4
10
Round: Kookaburra Song
Song-Master
4
11
Run On: Let's Toss Jack (Part 2)
Robin Patrol
2
12
Song: Quartermaster's Store
Song-Master
4
Continue on in this manner, following the flow of the campfire.
20
Song: Take Me Home, Country Roads
Song-Master
4
21
Scoutmaster Minute
Scoutmaster Jones
4
22
Campfire Closing #3
Emcee
2
You're ready to go!
Finally, make sure that each of the leaders have a copy of the finalized campfire program plan well before the
program begins.
Resources
Here is a list of just some of the available resources that can help with planning a campfire program
