| Even though a lot of people have fond memories of | | | | song and then everybody else joins in. My 9 year old |
| campfires from their youth and they enjoy camping | | | | son still requests "Itsy Bitsy Spider" every single time |
| not many people know how to give their children | | | | we go camping. |
| those same fond memories from their camping trips. | | | | 6. Scary Story - This item depends on the age and |
| Having a fun campfire, having something that will | | | | mentality of the children that are with you. If you |
| leave a very positive mark in the memory of a youth | | | | have little ones or if you have kids that get scared |
| is actually pretty easy but it is something you have | | | | really easily then you should skip this item. If your |
| to practice a little and plan for a little. | | | | kids are older or they can handle it, go around the |
| Can you leave that positive memory without planning | | | | campfire and let each child that wants to tell a scary |
| it and without a little prep work and practice? Yes | | | | story. We don't usually have any of the parents tell |
| you can but it's an iffy proposition at best. | | | | stories because the kids do a better job of it |
| See it's like this: if you want to make a lasting | | | | themselves. |
| impression, if you want to have your kids look back | | | | 7. Add a Story - This one you can do regardless of |
| at (at least part) of their childhood and have it put a | | | | the age of the children, you just tailor the storyline |
| smile on their face then it takes work. Believe it or | | | | to the age of the children present. One adult will start |
| not but implanting those memories of warm and | | | | the story and kind of get it going and then you just |
| happy campfire experiences is just like any other | | | | go around the campfire one at a time adding a |
| part of raising a childe in my opinion. What that | | | | sentence or two onto the story. You can go around |
| means is it takes a little work and a whole lot of love. | | | | the campfire a couple of times and then if it starts |
| So let's get into the list of what to do and how to | | | | getting really out of hand you start another story |
| plan a "spontanaeous" campfire: | | | | and reverse the direction of the story. If you have |
| 1. Dusk - The time of the evening you do it at is | | | | an adult in the group who is pretty sharp you can |
| very key to a successful campfire. Having a campfire | | | | ask them ahead of time to keep track of the story |
| in the middle of a sunny afternoon just doesn't have | | | | as it develops and then recap it at the end. You |
| the same impact that having one as it is getting dark | | | | would be amazed at how interesting the story gets |
| does. | | | | when one person retells it beginning to end. |
| 2. S'Mores - I say s'mores but it doesn't have to be | | | | 8. Thankful For - Ask the kids to tell everybody what |
| that treat, you just need to have some sort of | | | | they are thankful for in their lives. It could be |
| snack that the kids really like and that they don't get | | | | something on the trip or it could be something else in |
| very often. This makes the campfire something | | | | their lives. Always start this off by asking an adult |
| special. With my kids the only time they have | | | | first especially if you have little ones in the group. |
| s'mores is when we are at a campfire. Another | | | | You kind of have to show them by example. If you |
| "bonus" to having the s'mores is that they get to | | | | start doing this on a fairly regular basis and the kids |
| play with the fire. Boys especially, are really, really | | | | get comfortable talking about this stuff in front of |
| attracted to the fire and if you give them an | | | | other kids and adults you will be shocked (in a good |
| opportunity to play in it then they will remember it. | | | | way) at the very interesting answers you will start |
| Do use some safety precautions and make sure to | | | | to get. |
| have at least one parent who just keeps an eye on | | | | 9. Dreams - Ask the kids to tell the group their |
| the kids around the fire and the marshmallows | | | | biggest Dream in life. I don't mean the dream they |
| themselves. | | | | had last night while they were sleeping. I mean like |
| 3. Best Part - This is something that a friend of mine | | | | what do they want to do when they grow up, |
| came up with. Once you have eaten some sort of | | | | where do they want to live and what kind of life |
| treat you all get your camping chairs and sit around | | | | they want. That kind of Dream. Little ones (under 4 |
| the fire. You then ask everybody in your group | | | | or 5) might be a little young to understand and/or |
| something like: what was your most favorite part of | | | | have an answer to this question but once they get |
| the whole day? And you go around the campfire until | | | | to be a little older then that you can bet that they |
| each person has had a chance to talk about what | | | | have started to think about that. My 7 year old has |
| the most fun part of the day was for them. | | | | already had three different careers in his life! |
| 4. Wish List - This is basically the same things as the | | | | 10. TAPS - We always end the campfire and the day |
| Best Part but you ask them what one thing they | | | | (for the kids at least) by singing the words to Taps. |
| really want to do tomorrow? If you are leaving the | | | | You can very easily find them on the web if you |
| campground and heading home really early in the | | | | don't know them. The words are absolutely beautiful |
| morning the next day then you probably shouldn't | | | | and the melody is so calming and serene it is the |
| ask this question. But if you get the chance, you will | | | | perfect ending to a very memorable and fun |
| be amazed at some of the answers the kids will give. | | | | campfire. |
| 5. Songs - A lot of people kind of scoff at this one | | | | I hope this list and the explanations were helpful to |
| but most kids really love this part of a campfire once | | | | you. Some of my fondest memories of growing up |
| you start doing it. You will be amazed at the variety | | | | and of spending time with my kids center around a |
| of songs that the kids all seem to know. What we | | | | campfire. If you take the time to do a little bit of |
| usually do is go around the campfire at least once if | | | | prep work thinking about how to get this together |
| not twice and let the kids one at a time choose the | | | | you will not regret it and your kids will thank you for |
| song they want to sing and let them lead into the | | | | it down the road. |