One of the requirements for the rank of Firecrafter is
that the candidate conduct a campfire program. The
campfire program is evaluated on six criteria. All six criteria are graded as
passing or not passing. The candidate must pass the leadership criteria
to pass the campfire requirement. Candidates are offered helpful suggestions in the Firecrafter
Candidate's Manual to assure success.
This point is designed to check
the Scout's organization of his campfire. The program is a plan which should be
written out and handed to the Graders and the Scoutmaster before the fire
begins. The program should be centered around a theme
which is followed throughout and should be planned to rise and fall with the
campfire. The fire should last between 20 and 45 minutes.
A correctly built campfire should
be constructed carefully and neatly so that it will light quickly and easily.
The fire should be stuffed with some kind of easily burning tinder. The logs
should be notched, area clean and logs preferably sawed. The base logs should
be staked with a safe viewing area for the audience. Safe fire practices and
fire buckets are required.
This section is used to grade
the Scout's ability to lead the program. He should show his confidence to the
audience by having control throughout the entire program (effective use of the
Scout sign). The one part of the campfire program which demonstrates true
leadership is the leading of songs. Here, leadership is shown in getting the
Scouts involved by using strong voice and arm motions. He should know each song
so that he can teach and lead it with full cooperation of the Scouts. The Scout
should keep the program moving smoothly from point to point, using
improvisation if necessary. The candidate must pass on this point to pass
his campfire.
The Scout should use some new
ideas or concepts that are not used too often by the Troop. This can include
songs, skits, stories, and ceremonies. This point will show the Scout's
originality and creativity.
The campfire should be enjoyed
by its audience and, at the same time, it should be a learning experience for
them.
From the 1996 revision of the Firecrafter
Candidates Manual.
There's fellowship around
the campfire.
Most of the following
information has been secured from Scouting Magazine, Boy Scout Handbook,
and past grading experience. As a Firecrafter Candidate you will give a
campfire at least once during your candidacy. This report has been prepared to
help you to plan a successful campfire. Let us now start to discuss some keys
to a good campfire.
Top-Lighter -- most popular. Build up in a log cabin
style, but with no tinder at the bottom. Lay tinder on solid split wood about
the fifth level. Lay several layers of split wood over the tinder. Hardwood is
most favorable. As the hardwood burns to embers, the fire burns downward
instead of burning the whole layout form the bottom in a few minutes.
Bottom-Lighter. Lay the familiar log cabin frame and
then CRAM the inside with tinder in such a manner that when you light
the bottom tinder it will in turn ignite the wood about and so on. You will
need varying sizes of tinder for the fire to be a success, starting from pencil
lead thickness for the bottom, and increasing upward through the fire to wood
the size of a silver dollar and larger.
The lighting of the campfire is an
important aspect of all campfires. While it is necessary for you as the
candidate to lead the campfire, you should leave this task to a responsible boy
or adult from your troop that is proficient at lighting fires. Try to
incorporate the fire lighting into a skit or ceremony. While others are
lighting the fire, continue with your program. If by chance the fire does not
light GO ON WITH YOUR PROGRAM. You should not stop the program to help
light the fire. Also be sure to have adequate fire protection. This includes
ample fire buckets, a clean fire area, and tools such as shovels and rakes.
Candle-Light -- Place a shielded candle inside of the
campfire just before starting. Have a string on the candle so that it can be
pulled into the tinder.
Matchboard and Sandpaper -- Pull the sandpapered piece of wood
across the piece of wood that is covered with kitchen matches.
Fire by Friction -- Have one boy or adult who is
proficient in Fire by Friction to start the fire with their spark and tinder.
The options for lighting the fire are endless, but be sure to have a back up method just
in case. DO NOT USE things such as flammable fluids or
paper to start your fire.
The quality of the campfire
program can make or break the campfire. It should be centered around a THEME. This theme can be anything from
"A Day at Ransburg" to "Christmas in July". However, it
should not be to general like "Scouting". You need to find different
skits, songs, and stories that relate to or involve your theme. A Scoutmaster's
Minute is another way of working in the theme. Be sure to have your program
written out. You will need a copy of it for yourself, one for your Scoutmaster,
and two copies for the grading team, making four total.
While it isn't necessary to have the program memorized, don't take it with you
when you are in front of the audience. Look at it off to the side to see what
is next then go out and introduce the next thing. It is also a good idea to
plan an extra song or skit, just in case the program doesn't last the necessary
20 minutes.
The point of leadership is the
most important of all of the six grading points. The point of leadership is not
just to see how well you can lead a song, it requires
you to have control at all times. It is as easy to be a leader from the
sidelines as it is from the front. Below are some hints on how to do well.
1. Come out and introduce yourself, and lead
the first song.
2. Try to include a song that you can teach
the audience.
3. Know all the songs and skits in your program,
and if a problem occurs be prepared to lead the activity.
4. Invite other troops to both come to and
do something in your program.
5. Make sure that all those in your program
know what they are to do and that they have all necessary props.
6. Don't be shy. Use hand motions and
enthusiasm when you are in front of the crowd.
7.
DO YOUR BEST!!