should be considered as Integral to any camp. These are the ideal way to bring people together when visiting CampSites or even just a wind-up and Wind-Down to your last night at camp when away by yourselves. Below are some ideas for songs and just as (if not more than) important: sketches or Skits. A Sketch or Skit can be a great way to introduce a break from singing as well as a good opportunity to liven things up a bit. Good Sketches should not go on too long, nor should they be allowed to 'go overboard' as this can lead to a situation where following sketches can escalate the misbehaviour or encourage 'revenge' sketch victimisation or the simpler but more damaging reason where it becomes very difficult to get the campfire going again.
A 'good' campfire (in my opinion) should keep everybody involved from start to finish and ideally everybody should leave the campfire, having enjoyed themselves but feeling nicely wound down, ready for supper and bed.
Whilst every campfire has to be tailored to the people involved wherever possible, I usually try to stick to the old formula of starting fast, getting louder and interspersing action songs with 'song' songs and Yells before finally introducing some slower songs and finally finishing with Kum Ba Ya.
Sketches & Skits
What's a Sketch and what's a Skit? In my opinion they are the same thing. They are both the chance for a break in the general singing where everybody is entertained on a different level. This may be a comedy type Sketch or even a Song sung by an Individual or small group of people.
Here are a list of some ideas for Campfire Sketches which I have seen over the years. (unfortunately, these are difficult to appreciate from reading but actually doing them or seeing them can be a lot of fun for everybody involved)
| Name | Number Involved | Wet &/or Dirty | Audience Participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cecil the Caterpiller | 2 | No | No |
| Charlie the Chimp | 2 (plus volunteer) | Yes | Yes |
| Laura Ashley | full Patrol | No | No |
| Parachute Jump | 4 minimum (plus volunteers) | No | Yes |
| Pulling String | 2 | No | No |
| The Bumblebee | 2 | Yes | No |
| The Elephant | 3 (plus volunteers) | Yes | Yes |
| The Haunted Train | full Patrol | Yes | Yes |
| The Hypnotist | at least 2 (plus volunteers) | Yes | Yes |
| The Incredible Enlarging Machine | full Patrol | Yes | No |
| The Incredible Stretchy Man (or Scout) | 6 | No | No |
| The Indians are Coming | full patrol | No | No |
