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Back To Home page |
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When I first joined the scouts as a leader in 1994, on my first camp my leader then told me that as part of my initiation I would have to sing a song at the campfire. |
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Panic-stricken, I thought back to my time as a scout, some 25 years earlier, and I realised that I could only think of two. |
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One was a totally un-PC song with the memorable title 'Morphine Mick & Cocaine Sue', so that was out (not that I could remember all of the words anyway - and I don't think anyone would admit it if they did).
The other was the old favourite, 'Quartermaster's Stores', so hastily, I attempted to think of rhymes for all our scouts, plus some stragglers that we had picked up during the weekend. Little did I know then,I was about to embark upon a trend that has stayed with me for over 8 years, until now. I've even managed to pick up a theme song, which somebody always shouts out when I take to the circle,but more about that later. |
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But first I would like to talk about a very much-neglected part of the campfire these days: -
THE CAMPFIRE STUNT |
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Unfortunately Campfire Stunts (or the lttle sketches in between the singing, for those that don't know) Rarely feature in many campfires these days. However they �still do in some, so here are a few examples that you may like to try. |
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In my experience, there are only two basic kinds of stunt - WET or DRY; and by far the most popular if any, are the wet kind. |
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They take very little preparation, and usually involve a willing 'volunteer' from the assembly. Leaders are always game for a laugh, but don't forget they just might know what's in store for them - usually signified by pulled-up cagoules around any exposed area of flesh, or the miraculous appearance of a towel draped around their neck. But by far the best victim is the newly invested scout or guide, the campfire virgin. SO here area few examples of The Wet Stunt: |
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THE BOAT RACE |
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� A simple stunt with little preparation. All you need is a tray or bowl filled with water, two dead matches and two mugs - I mean volunteers. |
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Introduce the camp equivalent of the Oxbridge boat race, and invite your 'guests' to sit or kneel down either side of the 'river'. Each has a match, and the idea is to be the first to blow their match over the finish line (the centre). The first race is 'for real'. Then someone suggests the best of three! |
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SO again ask them to assume their positions (even change sides for authenticity). Then the starter calls out
'1, 2....3' - at which point they bring their hand palm-down smartly into the water and creates the desired effect! |
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Two scouts, guides or leaders cover themselves with a camp blanket, or similar and become daisy, Buttercup or the name of some other cow you know (No! - I know exactly what you are thinking) and another, the Trainer informs the audience that this cow can count. To prove it he asks for two volunteers to help him, and invites them to lie down in front of the cow; who proceeds to step over them in turn. This is repeated with another volunteer and this time the trainer asks the audience to count as well. |
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This is repeated for 4 and 5. However the fifth time the cow hesitates - because it has decided to relieve itself all over the volunteers (A squeezy bottle which the 'Cow' keeps hidden until required). |
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NON-WET (DRY!) STUNTS |
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A Scout stands in the circle looking around, and every so often makes a grab at thin air, like they are trying to catch something.
He does this afew times and another comes in and stands there watching him for a minute. Eventually he walks up to him:
2nd Scout: What are you doing?
1st Scout: Shh, I'm trying to catch a woozle.
2nd Scout: (thinks) What do they look like then?
1st Scout: Dunno - I haven't caught one yet! |
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TWO Scouts/ Guides walk into the circle and stare at the sky (the clearer the night, the better)
1st Scout:'Cor! look at those stars, there's millions of them'
2nd Scout: (shines his torch into the sky) I bet you wish you could climb up this torch beam and touch 'em'
1st Scout: Yeh!
2nd Scout: Go on then! Climb up'
1st Scout: (pauses for a moment) Nah, I know you, I'll climb up halfway and you'll switch it off!!' |
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CLICK the campFire Link for my theme song and other's to make it a campfire that will get everyone singing for the rest of the camp and on the coach home |
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