San Diego-Imperial Council Cub Scout POW WOW October 22, 2005 CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS SYLLABUS Learning Objectives Learn the elements for a successful campfire Learn how to implement these elements for a successful campfire. Have fun and keep it simple! Why Have a Campfire? Campfires can contribute much to the Cub Scout experience. Entertainment Fellowship Education Inspiration Builds confidence When to have a Campfire? Campouts All day picnics Pack meetings A Good Campfire Has. Theme - Purpose and Direction A definite idea of where it is going and what it is going to accomplish Not just a bunch of random presentations The Four S s Showmanship Songs Stunts Stories Planning Planning Plan well in advance. Have each den participate and prepare a stunt, song, etc in advance. Practice (@ den meetings). Materials (firewood, mechanical fire, seating, etc). Plan B (what if it rains? Is the fire appropriate for location/weather). Utilize an outline for the program o Campfire Program Planner Appropriateness Simple test: Scout Law - friendly, courteous, kind Song, Stunts, Skits, and Cheers should not embarrass or demean any person or group. Gray areas to stay away from -Underwear - Inside jokes -Toilet Paper - Use of alcohol,tobacco,drugs -Water - Cross-gender impersonation
Campfire Discipline Be tough but tactful when someone may be interrupting the campfire. Address problems immediately - young Cub Scouts get out of hand easily & quickly. When friendly requests fail o Invite them up to lead a song or skit or cheer o Have them show they can do it better As leaders we do not have a choice whether we are setting the example; we only have a choice of the kind of example we set. Campfire Format Follow the fire Early = the flames are high = lots of involvement include lots of songs and cheers Late = the flames are low = quieter and deeper with the most important messages coming near the end Showmanship Very important or your campfire will be flat. Enthusiasm is the key to success. Encourage your stage participants to speak loud and clear so your audience can hear them. Campfire Location and source of light are key elements to a good campfire: o Campfire Ring for wood campfires for atmosphere o Lantern or candles work as well o Artificial campfires for indoor presentation o Sufficient light needed to see action taking place around the fire Fire Lighting Ceremony Spontaneous starting Slight of Hand - Candle on a board, use a string to pull a lit candle under the tinder Electricity - Match heads on a wire that is attached to a car battery. Close a switch to allow for electricity flow. Woosh! Instant Flame! Fire from the Sky - Wire extended from a tree to the fire lay. Send a lit source down the wire to the fire. Always have a backup method Construct your fire lay early! Opening Ceremony Dramatic fire lighting ceremony Get program underway with plenty of pep o Lively songs o Recognition of guests o Cheers o Recognition of campers Closing Ceremony Quiet and Inspirational Important messages come as the embers die down Songs Many types of songs require different levels of audience participation.
Songs can be used to get the audience into a certain mood. (such as happy, or serious) Examples: Scout Song On my Honor Peppy Songs Quartermaster Store Action Songs Grand Old Duke of York Special Occasion Songs Happy Birthday Novelty Songs Da Da Da Quiet Songs Scout Vespers Inspirational songs Scout Vespers Patriotic Songs God Bles America Stunts and Skits Use of narrator while Cub Scouts act out works well. Cub Scouts do not memorize well so speaking parts should be short and simple. Avoid rough & tumble type skits as Cub Scouts get out of hand easily. Sources o Boys Life o Campfire Books o Original Ideas o Websites Cheers Do not allow jeering, booing, or hissing at campfire performers. Certain cheers require that the audience be divided into groups to sing/say a certain part. Some cheers require complete audience participation. Stories Ghost o Never try to scare an audience too badly Adventure o True or fictional o Tal Tales of heroes, explorers, etc Humorous o Mark Twain o Keep it clean Inspirational o Boys Life is a good source to find this type of story. o Can contain elements of humor High Point Stories o Builds itself as a thing to remember o Can be in many forms can be about some important figure in scouting (e.g. Lord Baden Powell) Cubmaster Minute It is a time for the Cubmaster to leave some wisdom to the pack in the form of a very short story. Summary A good campfire. Has a plan with direction, variety, and youth participation
Possesses an energetic start when the flames are high, and a tranquil ending when the flames are low. Has discipline so everyone has a good time. Uses the four S s to provide variety in the campfire program. Has appropriate skits, songs, and cheers for it s entertainment. Uses KISS (Keep it simple sunshine) Is fun.
CAMPFIRE PROGRAM Place Date Time Camp Director's approval: Campers notified: Campfire planning meeting M.C. Song leader Cheermaster Area set up by Campfire built by Fire put out by Cleanup by Spot Title of Stung, Song or Story By Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Closing THE CAMPFIRE PROGRAM PLANNER How to use this sheet: Be sure that every feature of this campfire program upholds Scouting's highest traditions.
1. in a campfire planning meeting, fill in the top of the "Campfire Program" sheet (over) 2. On the "Campfire Program Planner" (below), list all units and individuals who will participate in the program 3. From each get and write down the name, description, and type of song, stunt or story they have planned. 4. The master-of-the-campfire organizes songs, stunts, and stories in a good sequence, considering timing, variety, smoothness, and showmanship. 5. M.C. makes out the campfire program sheet (over). 6. Copies of the program are given to all participants. Cheer Planner Spot Campfire Program Planner Group or Individual Description Type Spot Song Planner Spot
CAMPFIRE PROGRAM WEB SITES (partial list...there are over 1 million listings!) Search google for "Campfire Program" [PDF] THE CAMPFIRE PROGRAM PLANNER File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML In a campfire planning meeting, fill in the top of the Campfire Program... On the Campfire Program Planner (below), list all units and individuals who will... www.scouting.org/forms/33696.pdf - Campfire Programs The Yarn: This can be one of the best items of a campfire program. Many Leaders are afraid of getting up and telling a yarn, there is no special skill to it... www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/wb/campfire.htm - 58k - Cached - The MacScouter -- Scouting Resources Online Planning the Campfire Program. A memorable Campfire requires planning.... As you read above, a Campfire Program should start slowly and quietly,... www.macscouter.com/campfire/planning.html - 16k - Cached - [PDF] CAMPFIRE PROGRAM File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML On the "Campfire Program Planner" (below), list all units and individuals who will participate in the... MC makes out the campfire program sheet (over).... www.macscouter.com/campfire/cpb_pdf/progplan.pdf - Big Sur Campfire Program & Guided Hikes Big Sur Campfire Program and guided hikes. Junior Rangers. www.bigsurcalifornia.org/campfire-program.html - 39k - Sep 11, 2005 - Cached - Melrose Troop 68 Campfire Stuff Welcome to the Campfire Program Page. The Scouts of Troop 68 have become... over the years for leading fun and enjoyable campfire programs at their own... www.melrosetroop68.org/campfirestuff.html - 8k - Cached - Campfire Program Some of scouting's best moments are captured at a campfire.... The program idea on this page is for the skit & song style of fire which is the most... www.geocities.com/yosemite/2340/program.html - 7k - Cached - Campfire Programs Platte River Campfire Programs - Assistive Listening devices... Make your summer evenings memorable...join us for a Campfire Program!... www.nps.gov/slbe/campfr_p.htm - 3k - Cached -
Evening Campfire Program - Loft Mountain Evening Campfire Program Loft Mountain Amphitheater Join a ranger for this well-loved National Park Service tradition. 45 minutes. www.nps.gov/shen/summer_ranger_programs/ Program_Descriptions/campfirel.htm - 1k - Cached - campfires/storytelling Find your way to scouting adventure with exciting campfire programs,... Campfire Programs. Creative Campfires Handbook - A compilation of material from... www.netwoods.com/d-campfire.html - 18k - Cached - Yosemite Valley Yosemite National Park - Campfire Program... Step back in time and experience Yosemite National Park as the pioneers did, with an old fashioned campfire. As the sun sets over Yosemite Valley you will... www.yosemitepark.com/content2col. cfm?sectionid=100&pageid=235-50k - Cached - Yosemite Valley Yosemite National Park - Campfire Program... Step back in time and experience Yosemite National Park as the pioneers did, with an old fashioned campfire. As the sun sets over Yosemite Valley you will... www.yosemitepark.com/content3col.cfm?sectionid=100& PageID=235&printerfriendly=true - 22k - Cached - Metro calendar: Event: Oxbow campfire program Oxbow campfire program: The folk music of Juliet Wyers... Campfire programs are held in the outdoor forest amphitheater across from the campground,... calendar.metro-region.org/ dsp_details.cfm?event_id=13735-5k - Cached - Metro calendar: Event: Oxbow campfire program Oxbow campfire program: Shadow puppets. Saturday, September 3, 2005... Campfire programs are held in the outdoor forest amphitheater across from the... calendar.metro-region.org/ dsp_details.cfm?event_id=13745-5k - Cached - [ More results from calendar.metro-region.org ] Utah State Parks and Recreation Scenic Parks "Campfire Program - Many Faces of Bats: How many species of bats are there?... "Campfire Program: Hot Tub Astronomy. Ever sit out under the stars at night... www.stateparks.utah.gov/park_pages/ scenicparkcalendarpg.php?id=wmsp - 23k - Cached - Utah State Parks & Recreation "Campfire Program: Many Faces of Bats. How many species of bats are there?...
"Campfire Program: Hike with a naturalist beginning at 7 pm at the campground... www.stateparks.utah.gov/visiting/events.php?month=july - 21k - Cached -
Birch Bay.net Birch Bay Washington Lodging Accomodations and... Salmon Speak Campfire program. The Salmon Speak program is presented by Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association in the park's Wildlife Theater.... www.birchbay.net/mod.php?mod=calendar& op=show_event&event_id=721-22k - Cached - Campfire Program - 1973 One of the highlights of Visitor's Day each camping period was the flag ceremony and campfire held on Saturday night. Here's the program for 1973.... www.billcotter.com/onteora/campfire-1973.htm - 7k - Cached - Campfire Program Makoshika State Park Campfire Program will be held at Makoshika State Park. Take I-94 Glendive Exits and follow signs two to three miles through town to... visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo. asp?idrrecordid=14916&siteid=1-36k - Cached - [PDF] THE CAMPFIRE PROGRAM PLANNER File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML On the Campfire Program Planner (below) list al units and individuals who... The master-of-the-campfire makes out the campfire program sheet (over).... www.buckskin.org/resources/ Forms/Forms/Boy_Scout/campfire_program.pdf - 5 Camp Fires CAMP FIRE PROGRAM #1. The Camp Fire has been prepared in advance.... CAMP FIRE PROGRAM #2. This is more on the order of a formal program, design to impress... www.inquiry.net/outdoor/campfire/helps/5programs.htm - 61k - Cached - [ More results from www.inquiry.net ] Swan River Tours Entertainer, Enactor, Campfire Programs, Step-On Guide, L&C Instruction, storytelling.... *Entertainment, Lectures, Campfire Program, Step-On Guide*... www.seeleyswanpathfinder.com/ pfbusiness/swanrivertours/guide.html - 6k - Cached - Harvard Business Online Case, The CAMPFIRE Program: Wildlife Management in Zimbabwe... Examines an innovative, village-based management program in Zimbabwe. While the program has... harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/ b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml?id=799085-69k - Cached -