Types of Campfires

• The Pyramid-start with a bottom layer of logs that are 4”-6” in diameter placed in a square shape. Add additional layers of smaller, shorter logs until you reach the desired height. Fill the space in the middle with kindling and tinder. Light the fire on a small platform of twigs near the top so that the burning cinders fall into the middle of the pyramid.
• A Log-Cabin style fire starts with 2 large logs as the base running parallel. Place the next level of smaller logs perpendicular to the base. Continue alternating for a few layers. Fill the space between with kindling. This is important so that the fire does not burn too fast.
• A Tepee fire is made by stacking wood on its end so that the tops meet and form a shape like a tepee. Kindling and tinder should be placed in the middle, and the fire is lit from the bottom.

How big you build your fire depends on many things; the most important of which is your surroundings. Do you have a designated fire pit, or area that is safe to build a larger fire in? Make sure you have permission before building any fires and take into consideration the age of the participants. If you have several young children a roaring bonfire is an accident waiting to happen. Explain campfire rules and safety tips before the excitement begins.

Songs to Sing Around Campfires

Campfire Songs, Photo by miamabanta @ Flickr

• She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain
• Down By the Bay
• Alice the Camel (especially appropriate for younger crowd, just make sure they don’t get too close to the fire.)
• An Austrian Went Yodeling
• The Other Day I saw a Bear
• Rounds-such as Row Your Boat, Sarrasponda and Kookaburra
• Kum Ba Yah
• Michael Row the Boat Ashore

There are hundreds of songs that may be sung around a campfire. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions, or let campers make up new songs.

Storytelling is another great activity to engage in around a campfire. Appropriate stories for younger children may be told earlier. When they are sent off to bed, older children and adults may tell stories that are a bit scarier. If younger children are really frightened-stop the story.

A Scary Story for Younger Children

This is a classic story that most children learn early. Choose a youngster’s name from the group, or a generic name.

Once there was a (girl/boy) named (say name).

One night (she/he) woke up about midnight because (she/he) heard someone walking downstairs.

Step…step….step

(She/He) quickly pulled the covers up over (her/his) head and shivered.

Then (she/he) hears a wavery voice: (say the next line slowly in a scary voice)

“ (Say child’s name) I’m on the first step and I’m coming to get you!”

“(Say child’s name)! (pause)

I GOTCHYA! Jump at the campers as you yell

Stories for Older Children

Most pre-teens and teenagers know at least one version of the old classic about the couple that go on a date and meet the escaped maniac with the hook. If you prepare ahead of time with a Halloween prop this is a real scream. Local ghost stories are also great.

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