Archive-name: scouting/1_skits-yells-and-campfires/part2
Last-Modified 1993/06/01

This file contains a number of skits and yells collected on    
rec.scouting  and scouts-l, for your own Pack meetings and campfires.    
While the yells are rarely useable outside of the english-speaking    
countries, most skits are very easy to translate, and my cubs love them!   

If you know a good skit or yell that hasn't been included in this FAQ,   
please do all of us the favour. Write it up and post it on rec.scouting.    
Drop me a copy too to make sure that I include it in this file.   

There are a few books I know on skits, yells and campfires:   

The "BSA Cub Scout Leader How-To Book". It is built to help the    
cub scout pack and den leaders running programs that kids enjoy.    
A section of 15 pages is dedicated to skits, yells and applauses.    
ISBN 0-8395-3831-6.   

"Creative Campfires" is another fine publication. Half of the   
book contains songs, and the rest is crammed with skits, stories,    
yells and tips to set up an entertaining campfire. (Sorry - no ISBN,    
but it can be ordered worldwide from the BSA Supply Division -    
Fax +1-704-588-5822).   

"Campfire Stories....Things That go Bump in the Night" by William   
Forgey, M.D. contains 21 campfire stories, with large typeface   
summary of each. Also includes the author's suggestions for how   
to be successful at telling campfire stories.   
ISBN 0-934802-23-8 published by ICS Books.    
Approximate price: $10US  $13CA   

This file is in digested format, like all FAQ files on this newsgroup.   
If you're using nn as newsreader, type 'G %" to split the digest into    
individual postings. In bn or rn, typing control-G should cause the    
reader to skip to the next posting within this file.   

There are nine FAQ files in the rec.scouting FAQ series. The FAQ files   
are posted in regular intervals (one file every three or four days)    
on rec.scouting, rec.answers and news.answers. They can also be   
retrieved through anonymous FTP from ftp.ethz.ch (path: rec.scouting/).   

As the FAQ files are updated regularly, make sure that you have the    
latest copy in your hands. The release date of this FAQ is indicated   
in the line starting with "Last-Modified:" at the top of this file.   
Files older than three months should be considered as outdated.   

This file or parts of it may be freely used, printed and re-distributed   
as long as you enclose this paragraph and keep the references to the    
respective contributors and to the maintainer (listed below) intact.   

-- Danny Schwendener         macman@bernina.ethz.ch   
   Wolfsmeute Nidau/Glockenhof, Sihlstr. 33, CH-8001 Zurich, Switzerland   

There is a big file of songs at ftp.ethz.ch (path: rec.scouting/songs/)   
There is a big file of magic campfire starters at ftp.ethz.ch (path:   
rec.scouting/misc)   

------------------------------    
From: anet@penumbra.West.Sun.COM (Annette Thomas)    
Subject: Words to "ANNOUNCEMENTS"    
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 20:33:54 EST    

Does anyone out there know the words to the song "Announcements"?   


~From: alee3@mach1.wlu.ca (allan lee 9207 U)    

The words I remember are:    

ANOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS.    

A HORRIBLE DEATH TO DIE, A HORRIBLE DEATH TO DIE    
A HORRIBLE DEATH TO BE BORED TO DEATH    
A HORRIBLE DEATH TO DIE    

ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS    

I'M FALLING ASLEEP ON MY FEET, I'M FALLING ASLEEP ON MY FEET    
I AM FALLING ASLEEP AS HE BORES ALONG    
I'M FALLING ASLEEP ON MY FEET    

---------------    
~From: Paul_Parry@brown.edu (Paul Parry)    

Here's the version I was harassed :-) with as a camp program  
director..    

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements    
[Paul] has got another one, another one, another one,    
[Paul] has got another one he has them all the time.    
Announcements, Announcements, Announcements...    

We sold our cow, we sold our cow,    
We have no use for your bull now, For Your Bull Now.    
Announcements, Announcements, Announcements.    

We love you [Paul], oh yes we do-oo.    
We love you [Paul], and we'll be true    
When your not with us, YA-HOOOOOO    
Oh, [Paul] we love you.    

I'd then say something like "If anyone is interested in a staff  
position,    
there will be a number of openings after this meal."    

---------------    
~From: anthropo@carina.unm.edu (Dominick V. Zurlo)    

Another version that we used, and I don't remember all of the  
verses:    
(also, each verse uses it's own original tune):    

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements    
When you're up you're up (all stand)    
When you're down you're down (all sit)    
But when you're only half-way up (half-stand)    
You're neither up (stand up)  or down(sit).    

Announcements Announcements, Announcements    
Row, row, row the boat gently down the stream,    
merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily    
we're a submarine....    

Announcements Announcements, Announcements    
What a terrible way to die,    
a terrible way to die,    
a terrible way to be talked to death,    
a terrible way to die...    

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements    
Swing low sweet Chariot (sing this line slow, and with all the    
                         feeling of the original)    
SCRAPE!! (slight pause)    

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements    
Here comes Peter Cottontail,    
Hoppin' down the bunny trail...    
BANG!    

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements.    

There are many more verses along these lines, but I can't    
remember them all.  Happy singing....    

---------------    
~From: pnsf01dw@UMASSD.EDU (Dennis J. Wilkinson)    

I was always assaulted with this version...    

A terrible death to die, a terrible death to die    
A terrible death to be talked to death    
A terrible death to die    
Announcements, announcements, announcements, please    

Row row row your boat gently down the stream    
Ha ha fooled ya' I'm a submarine    
Announcements, announcements, announcements, please    

Mary had a little lamb little lamb little lamb    
Mary had a little lamb    
The doctors were surprised...    
Announce.... (oh, you get it...)    

When Mary had a little lamb the doctors were surprised    
But when Old MacDonald had a farm they couldn't beleive their  
eyes...    


(My staff eventually figured out that it was a bit more taunting  
to give just enough pause in between verses to make me or whoever think  
that they'd wrapped it up... luckily, I catch on quicker than they did most of 

the time.    

To any fledgling Program-Directorish person or Scoutmasterish  
person out there... it helps to have some signal with your staff to let them  
know when it's *not* a good time for this song... either don't say you're up
for  
announcements or have that Scout Sign at the ready...)    

---------------    
~From: mdtanner@athena.mit.edu (Marc Tanner)    

Announcements, Announcements, Annooouuncements.    

[tune of "The Farmer in the Dell":]    
What a terrible way to die!  What a terrible way to die!    
What a terrible way to be bored to death,    
What a terrible way to die!    

Announcements, Announcements, Annooouuncements.    

[At this point, someone would stand up and do a monologue, and then   

the whole group would repeat the chourus.  We did as many  
monologues interspersed with choruses as we could get in before the program   
director made us shut up (which was in itself a hit with the  
campers) Here are a sampling.  Some had a tune, others were just spoken.]   


[...]    
Little Miss Muffett sat on her tuffett    
Eating her curds and whey;    
Along came a spider and sat down beside her    
So she beat it over the head with a spoon.    

Cow, cow, we have no cow;    
We have no need for your bull now.    

Spider, spider, on the wall    
Haven't you got no sense at all?    
Can't you see this wall's been plastered?    
Can't you see, you little...spider.    

---------------    
~From: wjturner@iastate.edu (William J Turner)    

        [...]    
        Make announcements short and sweet,    
        Short and sweet, short and sweet.    
        Make announcements short and sweet.    
        They're so BORING!!!    

--------------    
~From: donm@hplsla.hp.com (Don Mathiesen)    

Have you ever heard a windbag, a windbag a wingbag.    
Have you ever heard a windbag. You'll here one right now.    
They go this way and that way. This way and that way.    
Have you ever heard a windbag. You'll here one right now.    

---------------    
~From: susan@noaapmel.gov (Susan Collicott)    

We always sang:    

Announcements, announcements, announcements.    
When you're up you're up,    
and when you're down you're down,    
and when you're only halfway up    
you're neither up nor down.    
Announcements, announcements, announcements.    

We stood up on 'up', sat down on 'down', and stood half-way up on  
'halfway up'.    

------------------------------    
From: stephen.a.mohr@cdc.com (Stephen Mohr 612-482-5634)    
Subject: Words to Song "Ain't Goina Rain no More"    

I've been looking all over for the words to the song "Ain't Gona  
Rain no More" I have only two verses, the kids love this 
song.  I know of another  verse about a sailor, but not 
all the words.  This is what I do have:    

[Refrain]    
Oh, it ain't gona rain no more, no more    
It ain't gona rain no more    
How in heck can I wash my neck    
if it ain't gona rain no more    
[1st Verse]    
A bum sat by the sewer    
And by the sewer he died    
And at the corners inquist    
They call it sewer side    
[2nd Verse]    
A peanut sat on the railroad track    
It's heart was all a-flutter    
Along came the 415    
Toot toot, peanut butter    


---------------    
~From: pnsf01dw@UMASSD.EDU (Dennis J. Wilkinson)    

How 'bout:    

My father is a butcher    
My mother is a cook    
And I'm the little hot-dog    
That runs around the brook    
[Chorus]    
My father built a chimney    
HE built itup so high    
He had to take it down each night    
To let the moon go by    
[Chorus]    

---------------    
~From: DRPORTER@SUVM.SYR.EDU (Brad Porter)    

  My dady is a doctor,    
  my mommy is a nurse,    
  and I'm the little needle    
  that gets you where it hurts...    

  Mary had a little lamb,    
  her father shot it dead    
  and now she takes it to school    
  between two slices of bread...    

This is a great song to sing at the opening of a rainy campfire -  
which for some reason we had a lot of this year!!!  Hope 
you find these useful - I've just know them from singing 
them, I can't tell you where they come from.    

-------------------------------- 
Date:  Thu, 16 Jul 1992 16:04:12 -0400 
From:  GARBUTT@WVNVM.bitnet (Garbutt, Keith) 
Subject:  Skit - Ging gang gooly 

****Warning long posting of interest to campfire junkies only****** 

At WEBELOS camp last week I was teaching the "Skits, songs and cheers" 
activity. We had each den produce a skit a song and a cheer.   
In addition I was teaching other songs so we could have decent volume 
on the communal songs.  I was teaching Ging Gang Gooli (which I 
discoverd had never been heard before in this council!!!!!!) when 
a Scouter from a Pittsburg pack (who appears to be as big a nut about 
campfires as I am) asked if I knew the Great Grey Elephat story which 
went with it. I didn't, he told it to me, I shamlessly stole it!!!! 
(with his permision). Apparently this story came to him from Canada 
- so Thanks to our brothers and sisters in the Great Frozen North for 
this one.  

THE GREAT GREY GHOST ELEPHANT 

In deepest darkest Africa there is a legend concerning the Great Grey 
Ghost Elephant. Every year after the rains the great grey ghost 
elephant arose from the mists and wandered throught the land at dawn. 
When he came to a village he would stop and sniff the air, then he 
would either go around the village or through it.  If he went around 
the village the village would have a prosporous year, if he went 
through it there would be hunger and drought. 

The village of Wat-cha had been visited three years in a row by the 
elephant and things were very bad indeed, and the village leader 
Ging-ganga, was very worried, as was the village medicine man  
Hay-la-shay.  Together they decided to do somthing about the problem. 

Now Ging-ganga and his worriors whe huge men with big shields and 
Spears and they decided to stand in the path of the elephant and 
shake their shields and swords at it to frightenit off. 

Hay-la-shay and his followers were going to cast magic spells to 
deter the elephant by shaking their medicine bags as the elephant 
approached which made the sound shalawally shallawlly shallawally. 

Very early in the morning of the day the Great Grey Elephant came 
the villagers gatherd at the edge of the village on one side were 
Ging-gana and his warriors (indicate right side of camp fire circle) 
on the other was Hay-la-shay and his followers (indicate left side 
of camp fire) 

As they waited the warriors sang softly about their leader 

Ging Gang Gooli, Gooli, Gooli, Gooli Watcha 
Ging Gang Goo Ging Gang Goo 
Ging Gang Gooli, Gooli, Gooli, Gooli Watcha 
Ging Gang Goo Ging Gang Goo 

As they waited the medicine men sang of their leader 

Hayla, Hayla Shayla Heyla Shayla Halya Ho-o-o! 
Hayla, Hayla Shayla Heyla Shayla Halya Ho-o-o! 

And shook their medicine bags 

shallawally shallawlly shallawally shallawally. 

And from the river came the mighty great grey elephants 
reply (Have all the adults do this) 

Oompha Oompah Ompah Oompah! 

The elephat was coming closer so the warriors beat their 
shields and sang louder (signal warriors to stand 
and beat thighs in time) 

Ging Gang Gooli, Gooli, Gooli, Gooli Watcha 
Ging Gang Goo Ging Gang Goo 
Ging Gang Gooli, Gooli, Gooli, Gooli Watcha 
Ging Gang Goo Ging Gang Goo 

then the medicine men rose and sang loudly 

Hayla, Hayla Shayla Heyla Shayla Halya Ho-o-o! 
Hayla, Hayla Shayla Heyla Shayla Halya Ho-o-o! 

And shook their medicine bags 

shallawally shallawlly shallawally shallawally. 

And mighty great grey elephant turn aside and went around the 
village saying 

Oompha Oompah Ompah Oompah! 

There was great rejoicing in the village and all the villagers 
joind to gether to sing 

Ging Gang Gooli ........ 

------------------------------  
From:     Jim Speirs <jim.speirs@canrem.com>  
Date:     Tue, 20 Apr 1993 20:00:00 -0400  
Subject: campfire cheers  


Cheers  

GREAT (Tony the Tiger cheer)  

Leader starts quietly starting with GRRR and goes around circle 
to complete word.  

-----  

Ziggy  

Ziggy, ziggy, hoy, hoy, hoy  
Ziggy, ziggy, hoy, hoy, hoy  

-----  

Watermelon  

Take up watermelon in both hands, chomp up one way and spit out  
seeds, in a Bronx cheer.  (For those of you who are purists, the  
proper terminology is a 'bi-labial fricative'.)  Note: this cheer  
could be considered 'poor taste'.  

-----  

Skyrocket  

In pantomime, the group following the yell leader, plant  
imaginary rockets in the ground, light a match (on seat of their  
pants) and apply it to the rocket fuse.  As the rocket rises, the  
group begins to whistle (softly at first and then louder) and  
after a short pause, all shout BANG!  

-----  

Flower cheer  

Imitating a flower growing, you rise up slowly, pausing part way.  

You look around, then quickly stand erect, yelling  
'sprooooooong'.  

-----  

Round of applause  

You clap your hands while holding your arms straight and moving  
your hands around in a wide circular motion.  

-----  

Timber cheer  

When you point to one half of the group, they yell, CHIP !  When  
you point to the other half, they yell, CHOP!  Then alternate  
CHIP! CHOP! CHIP! CHOP! faster and faster, ending with a loud  
"TIMBER!"  

-----  

Stomp and slap  

When you raise your right hand, everyone stomps feet rapidly.   
When you raise your left hand, everyone slaps thighs rapidly.   
When you raise both hands, everyone stomps and slaps.  

-----  

Rain clap  

Everyone starts by tapping their right thumbs on the palms of  
their left hands to represent the first few drops of rain.  Then  
use two fingers, three fingers, four, five and the palms of  
hands. Increase volume of clapping from soft to loud.  Then in  
reverse sequence back to thumbs on palms, as the rain passes.  

-----  

Handkerchief Cheer  

You throw a handkerchief into the air.  While the handkerchief is  
in the air, everyone applauds and cheers.  They must stop the  
moment it touches the ground.  Vary lengths of cheer with high  
throws, low throws and no throws.  
-----  

Balloon cheer  

Pretending to blow a big balloon, you put your hands to your  
mouth and puff labouriously.  You spread your hands slowly apart  
at each puff, then fling your arms out, yelling 'BANG'.  

-----  

Ketchup cheer  

Everyone makes a fist with their left hand and slaps the side of  
their fist with their right hand, as if trying to coax ketchup  
from a bottle.  Six quick slaps and then the ketchup comes out in  
one big noised dolled: Slap-skip-slap-slap-skip-slap-balloons!  

-----  

Mosquito  

Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z  
(Trace flight of mosquito with finger)  
Clap hands once for the swat saying 'Gotcha'.  

-----  

Zig-a-mala  

In this yell, the leader shouts ZIG-A-Mala three times, each time  
increasing the volume and each time the campers answer Z-E-E-E.   
After the third Z-E-E-E, the leader throws up his hands, and all  
shout together, WHA.  

-----  

Bouncing Ball  

Using a golf ball (preferably) Have the group yell 'Pow' every  
time the ball hits the floor when dropped initially from an  
outstretched hand above the head, or thrown up.   

-----  

Be Prepared  

Be Prepared, Be Prepared,  
Shout it out, Shout it out.  
Pioneer, Voyageur,  
Pathfinder Scout !  

-----  

Big Hand (For a 'Ho Hum' Skit)  

The cheer leader says: "Alright !  Let's give that skit aBig  
Hand."  Upon which, everybody silently holds one hand, palm open,  
up in the air.  

-----  

Boomalacka  

Boomalacka, Boomalacka,  
Bow-wow-wow.  
Chingalacka, Chingalacka,  
Chow-chow-chow.  
Boomalcacka, Chingalacka,  
WOW !  WOW !  WOW !  

-----  

Bravo (For an excellent performance)  

The cheer leader says: "That deserves a Bravo !  We'll do this in  
a circle."  He then proceeds to have one end of the circle start  
with the 'BRR' sound and proceeds to point around the circle  
while they do the 'AVOOOO' sound.  The sound level should rise as  
more of the circle comes in.  

-----  

Bravo (For an excellent performance)  

The cheer leader says: "That deserves a real cheer.  Give me a  
'B' (and the group responds with a resounding 'B', give me an  
'R', etc.  When all letters have been called, "What have you got?"    
(response to all: BRAVO !)  

-----  

Buffalo Bonzo (For a 'corny' skit)  

Bonzo  
Buffalo bonzo  
Buffalo buffalo bonzo  
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo !  

-----  

Bury it  (When a skit has been seen too often)  

Cheer leader: "I think we had better bury that skit.  Alright,  
everybody stand up and dig a big hole with your shovel (suitable  
grunting sounds and shovelling actions), now throw the skit into  
the hole (thump) and cover it up (more shovelling and grunting),  
now, jump on it to keep it in there. (Everybody jumps up and down  
three times.)  

-----  

Clam Cheer (For an 'O.K.' to poor skit)  

The cheer leader says: "O.K., do you know the sound a clam makes  
?  Alright then, put your hands together at the wrist and hold  
them away up in the air like this (demonstrates).  Now, move your  
hands together like a clam shell.  (Everybody moves curved hands  
open and closed five times.)  Thank you.  

-----  

Fireworks (For a good performance)  

One half of circle: Place the palm of your hand in front of your  
mouth and keep it moving in a circular motion while hissing.  

Second half of circle: Starting a couple of seconds after the  
first half, the rest of the circle whistles down the scale.   
(Doh, Te, La, So, Fah, Me, Ray, Doh.)  

When the whistlers get to the botom of the scale, everybody  
responds with a well rounded Boom !.  Repeat all and Boom twice,  
repeat all and Boom three times.  

-----  

For Goodness Sake  (For a really corny skit)  

Cheer Leader: Give me an OFER !  
Circle: OFER !  
Cheer Leader: Give me an OFER !  
Circle: OFER !  
Cheer Leader: Give me an OFER !  
Circle: OFER !  
Cheer leader: What have we got ?  
Circle: OH FER GOODNESS SAKE !  

-----  

For the Birds (For a 'dumb' skit)  

Cheer Leader: That calls for a High Flying Cheer.  Was it a  
ONE ?  
Circle: NO !  
Cheer Leader: Was it a TWO ?  
Circle: NO !  
Cheer Leader: Was it a THREE ?  
Circle: NO !  
Cheer Leader: Was it a FOUR ?  
Circle: YES !  FOR THE BIRDS !  

-----  

Good Heavens (For an unusual skit)  

The Cheer Leader says: "Let's give this something really GOOD.   
Repeat after me."  
Cheer Leader: Good.  
Circle: Good.  
Cheer Leader: Good  
Circle: Good  
Cheer Leader: Good Heavens !  What next ??  
Circle: Good Heavens !  What next ??      

-------------------------------- 
Date:  Thu, 16 Jul 1992 16:04:12 -0400 
From:  GARBUTT@WVNVM.bitnet (Garbutt, Keith) 
Subject:  Yells 

My boys love to yell so we do a competitive Yell 
Split the camp fire into two halfs have one side say 

There ain't no flys on us 
There ain't no flys on us 
There may be flys on some of you guys 
But there ain't no flys on us 

The other side responds with 

Give 'em straw 
Give 'em hay 
give 'em somthing to stop that neigh 

Get both sides going at once and wear ear plugs!!!!! 

An old old favourite of mine from my days playing rugby in Wales 

(Leader) Oggy Oggy Oggy 
(Scouts) Oy Oy OY 
(L) Oggy (S)Oy 
(L) Oggy (S)Oy 
(Leader) Oggy Oggy Oggy 
(Scouts) Oy Oy OY 

This next one was made up by a bunch of first year WEBELOS 
They thought it was GREAT we were not so sure but we let 
them do it any way - must encourage creativity!!!! 
(Use with CAUTION!!!) 

Rah Rah Ree Kick 'em in the knee 
Rah Rah Ras Kick ,em in the (pause for parents to go OH!) 
Other knee. 


--------------------------------
From: stolz@fnusgd.fnal.gov (Mike Stolz)
Subject: Creative Campfires Compilation
Date: 19 Jun 92 20:18:47 GMT

I have attempted to collect all the Creative Campfire suggestions
into a single extract.  I have ordered and edited them in an effort
to make them as succinct and readable as possible.  I left in the
Internet addresses of the posters (I hope I got them all straight).
If anyone has additions, corrections, etc. regarding these
accumulated suggestions, my address is: stolz@fnusgd.fnal.gov 
============================ cut here +================================

In article <1992Jun7.213045.1992@desire.wright.edu>, 
 bschroeder@desire.wright.edu says:

I am looking for an impressive way to start a campfire.  In the past,
we had been burying a wire to the campfire and using a rocket igniter
to light it, but that has lost it's thrill as we have been using it
for too long...  Does anyone have any ideas as to how to start a fire
in a way that will attract some "oohs and ahhhs" ?
Any help would be greatly appreciated... 
====================
From: ALLAN H. YAMAKAWA <U43367@uicvm.uic.edu>
Date: Monday, 8 Jun 1992 00:41:51 CDT

If you have enough distance between the fire and the nearest Scout so
that you don't asphyxiate anyone, finely ground potassium permanganate
heaped into a pyramid with an indented top into which glycerine is
poured produces a spectacular violet flame which does a nice job of
starting a fire.

Also on the slightly risky side is using a "flaming arrow" which is
guided on a piano wire into the fire.

We used both of those at Scout camps at which I served on staff, with
lots of oohs and aahs.

====================

From: mwilson@orl.mmc.com (Mark Wilson)
Date: 8 Jun 92 17:48:26 GMT
  Mark Wilson,  Eagle Class of 1973,  SM, Troop 565, Deltona, FL

Not all impressive openings require pyrotechnic special effects.

Near a lake? Have some boys in indian clothing (OA members?) bring
a lighted torch by canoe from some unseen place to the council ring. 
After a solemn ceremony, or a BRIEF speach, the torch bearer lights 
the fire. Be sure those in the ceremony stay in character.

(these two messages inserted as safety follow-ups) 
====================

From: hellmann@cs.scarolina.edu (Douglas R Hellmann)
Date: 11 Jun 92 03:27:28 GMT

We used to do this for OA ceremonies.  The principles would come
across the lake in canoes which had highway signal flares burning
from inside the bottom of the canoe.  This cast an erie red light
on them which made a great effect until the camp ranger started
making them wear life jackets.  I can see the reasoning, but the
ceremony was never the same. 
====================

From: jjohnson@utkvx3.utk.edu (Jay Johnson, UTKVX)
Date: 14 Jun 92 06:43:00 GMT
   Jay Johnson, Aquatics Instructor, BSA, Great Smoky Mountain Council, TN

The lifejackets (PFDs) can be deleted from the ceremony if the
protection of the "Indians" can be assured in another fashion
such as having an emergency boat manned and ready to go with
trained lifeguards.  Also a must is to have the PFDs for the
"Indians" in the canoe (for this is the law).  Another way to
provide protection for the "Indians" is to keep the boat running
near the shore instead of coming across the lake with lifeguards
posted along the the route.  If the right measures can be taken,
the "Indians" can canoe without wearing PFDs, but every possible
means available must be used to protect the canoeists.
In short, BSA policy makes the exception for "Special Ceremonies"
ie OA and camp lighting when special precautions are made.
This is the ONLY time scouts can be allowed in  boats without PFDs.           

====================
(initial message continued)

Not near a lake? Same as above, but they walk in.

Prelight the fire (prevents embarassment), then have someone in period
dress carry in an historic US Flag, talk about it BRIEFLY then lead
the Pledge to the Flag.

Spotlight the Flag as Red Skelton's "Pledge of Allegience" is played. 
Then everyone joins in the Pledge.

Prelight the fire, then, once everyone is present, everyone joins
in an almost in control rendition of "We're All Together Again."

Most any Court of Honor opening can be adapted as a campfire opening.

Build your campfire program around a theme, then develop an opening
that fits.

In the pyro arena - adding a small quantity of petro-chemical to
chlorine (1-2 oz. break fluid and .5 bag powdered HTH are good)
will generate a very  hot, smokey flame. It takes about 15 to
20 seconds for the reaction. There  is an audible hiss several
seconds before ignition that can be used for cueing. Any number
of devices can be used to deposit the brake fluid. 
CAUTION: This effect gives off a quantity of potentially harmful
gas. It should only be used when the fire is some distance from
the audience. (You should not store pool supplies and automotive
supplies near each other, either, for the same reason.)

Anything used repeatedly loses it's power. The trick is to gather
a bag  full of ideas, use them, throw out the flops and add
new ones as they come along.

There are a number of chemicals that will add color to a flame.
For example, copper sulfate adds blue-green. I'm at a loss for
the others. Any help from all you experts. You E-mail it and
I'll post the results. 
====================

From: hellmann@hickory.cs.scarolina.edu (Douglas R Hellmann)
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 92 12:28:02 GMT
   Doug Hellmann, Eagle Scout, Asst. SM, Troop 333, Indian Waters
   Council,  Columbia, SC

We used to do something extremely cool at summer camp to start our
OA fires,  but the camp ranger won't let them do it any more
(for reasons you will see). 

Fill a styrofoam coffee cup about 2/3 full of heavy duty break fluid
and put it down in the fire.  (We also coated the fire with some
diesel fuel from the camp tractor so it would start quickly.)

Then make up some sort of ceremony that ends with someone standing
near the fire (prefereably in the back).  This person then pours a
handful of  hth pool cleaner into the cup of break fluid, says
something appropriate ("Let there be fire!"), and steps back
(especially if you used diesel).  The hth and the break fluid
will make some popping noises and then burst into flames.

After we perfected the ceremony, it had a really great effect.
Imagine someone walking up to the fire and commanding it to light,
and then it bursts into flame!  Great imagery, but of course it is
terribly dangerous. 

I understand that all of those chemicals were nothing for kids
to be playing with (I wonder how anyone found out about them in
the first place!?) and as I said, the camp ranger no longer allows
this sort of stuff to go on.  It might give you something to think
about though. 

Another idea that someone presented as a replacement was to have
a wire strung from a tree or something else high, in such a way
that it couldn't be seen. Then when the command comes for the
fire to be lit, something somes shooting down the wire into the
fire and lights it.  Sort of like lightning or a big fire ball
or something. 
====================

From: kell@lark.jsc.nasa.gov (TED KELL)
Date: 9 Jun 92 13:05:46 GMT

Pine 'o Pine (a pine oil based soap) and pool shocking compound
(Calcium Hypoclorite) - dust from the last campfile makes a hell
of a bang.  At my woodbadge course the staff did this.  They had
the scoutmaster put on the  dust.  The fire went off with a bang,
blew off the scoutmasters campaign hat. First time I have ever
seen anyone teleport himself.  He refused to help start anymore
campfires for the rest of the course.  Be careful. 
Another approach would be to have someone start the fire with one
of those fire by friction sets sold in _every_ trading post, and
used by _no one_. 
Build the fire in front of the group, explaining what you are
doing as you do it.  Who knows, some of it might seep into their
heads. 
====================

From: mcghee@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Glenn McGhee)
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1992 17:37:52 GMT
   Glenn Mcghee, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 80  Mt. View, CA

Years ago when I was a scout, the leaders let the scouts
"take charge" of the campfire ceremony.  One of the most successful
campfire lightings was done by using a 6-volt lantern battery,
an old Ford spark coil, some wire  and charcoal lighter.
On command like "let there be fire" an accomplice connects the
battery to the spark coil and the spark starts the fire. 
The setup....

Place the spark coil as near the fire as possible to keep 
from having to  un the high-voltage the wires any farther 
that necessary.  The coil can be hidden, out of view, in rocks
near the fire.  The high-voltage wire and  the return ground 
wire can be buried in the dirt.   Run the wires for the lantern
battery to the place where your accomplice will be and cover
the wires deep enough that no will see them or trip on them. 

Use a small jar lid to hold the liquid charcoal lighter. Fill
the lid  with paper towel and add the charcoal lighter.  This
lid is placed in the center of the fire.  The ground wire is
placed under the lid.  There is no  reason to make a good
connection to the lid because the spark from the  high-voltage
wire will jump to the lid and then the ground wire.  The
high-voltage wire must be placed above the lid so the spark will
jump into the paper towel and liquid charcoal lighter and thereby
light the liquid.  Build a tee-pee of kindling around and over
this setup so the lid and wires are hidden.  Build a log-cabin
campfire around the tee-pee.  Inside the log-cabin, add more
kindling.  Add about twice as much as you think you need.
The more kindling you add the faster the fire will grow. 
The lighting.....

Upon command from the ceremony fire lighter, the accomplice
connects the  battery to the wires and the spark coil generates
the high-voltage spark. This spark lights the liquid charcoal
lighter and the liquid will burn long enough to start the kindling.

Problems and Failures...

Failure to use the proper wire for the high-voltage.
Once use twisted "bell" wire to go from the spark coil to
the fire.  The insulation  broke-down and there were sparks
all along the twisted wire but none in  the fire!  You can use
old automobile ignition wire -BUT- remember the  wire will be
distroied by the fire. 

Between the time the fire was set and the time the ceremony
was to start, the high-voltage wire was no longer over the
lid and the spark jumped from the high-voltage wire to the
OUTSIDE of the lid and didn't start the liquid charcoal lighter.

Lantern battery was nearly dead.  It did work but there were
some time of helplessness before the fire started.

The spark coil was not well hidden and someone spotted it.
When the  spark coil operates there is a vibrating reed that
makes noise and gives  off sparks that are easily seen at night.

I STRONGLY suggest that you experment with lighting a lid of
charcoal lighting fluid before you make this setup for the
ceremony.  This could  save you from the embarrassment of
turning to the crowd and saying  "Anyone got a match?".
I know.....I have been there. 
====================

From: bschroeder@desire.wright.edu
Date: 9 Jun 92 14:00:45 EST

What we have been doing was a bit safer than that.  We bury
an outdoor extension cord just a couple inches underground.
We plug an old, thin extension cord into the end of the outdoor
one and make sure the junction is secure and buried.  We then
ran the loose end of the cheap cord into the fire and attached
a rocked igniter on the end.  We put that in a bundle of
matches, being sure the igniter touched at least one match.
Then we built the fire around that (and used a bit of kerosene
to be sure it lit).  Then all we had to do was use a 6V battery
and touch the two prongs on the outdoor extension cord to the
battery terminals (the person who did this was well hidden
behind trees or whatever).  Then, on command, the fire would
light.  It was VERY impressive the first few times we used it,
but now it is getting a bit old.  I am thinking about just
lighting it with a torch for a while, and then in a couple
years, using the wir /igniter method again...

====================
From: wjh0265@tamsun.tamu.edu (William Hobson)
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1992 17:35:02 GMT

How about mixing salt peter and sugar in a 2 to 1 ratio.
You can put a big pile of it in the middle of the campfire
and string a trail of it away from the campfire and then
light the trail.  It burns hot and smokey, so use caution
- it beats the heck out of gasoline.  I used to use this
mixture for low cost smoke bombs as a kid.  The salt peter
I used came from the drug store and was used as an animal duiretic.

====================

From: wayne@eng.umd.edu (Wayne C. McCullough)
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 18:57:38 GMT

One thing our OA group did once was use matches.  No kerosene,
nothing like that.  Only matches to start the fire.  It went up
very quickly.  Let me explain:

We bought about 20-30 boxes of matchbooks.  We then built an
ignitor by taking 2 bricks, and puting a bunch of ignitors on
one of the faces of each brick.  Then we stapeled a bunch of
the books together so that it formed a long row, sort of like:

                +--------------------+
                |       Brick!       |
                +--------------------+
                 ////////////////////  <----ignitors
                  ooooooooooooooooooo   Match heads
                -<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<   Matchbooks
                  ooooooooooooooooooo   More Match heads
                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  More ignitors
                +--------------------+                ( ^up)
                |    Other Brick!    |
                +--------------------+

A string is tied to the matchbooks, and so when it is pulled,
a flame is started.  This ignitor contraption  should take about
1-2 boxes of matches.  all the others spread them out loosly
around the contraption. This is a lot of matches, and should
go up quickly. 

The big advantage of this is that it is safe, and can be used
at sites that prohibit kerosene and other GS water.  Practice
it first tho, so you know how hard to pull the ignitor.
You only get one shot. 

One important thing with all of this is to have a decent
accompanying  open cerimony.  Having a guy walk up and
throw a lit match into the fire can be just as impressive
if it is accompanied by the right words. 
====================

From: kdc5072@cs.rit.edu (Kevin D Colagio)
Date: 10 Jun 92 20:37:36 GMT

An idea that I had when I worked at a camp was the following
(it was for the OA campfire...)

Put a small pile (about 2 or 3 inches around) of blackpowder in
the center of the fire wood to be.  Run a small line of blackpowder
to the pile and out to a small (1 inch in diameter) pile located
on a flat rock.  Put a fireing cap (used in a muzzleloader) on the
edge of the (1 inch) pile....have another "fuse" running to the
fire wood to be (we had 2 fires).  At some point in the ceremony,
have someone stike the ground (the firing cap, actually) with a
"tomahawk" or other hammer like item.  This would cause 2 strips
of fire to ignite the wood....(of course, the wood would have
kero or other ignitable liquid on it....) 
The only problem would be if someone steps on (and breaks) a "fuse"...

====================

From: stu@voodoo.boeing.com (Stuart Liddle)
Date: 12 Jun 92 18:25:15 GMT

When I worked on camp staff we regularly came up with innovative
ways to  start the campfire.  At one camp we used to use a car
battery, flash bulb filaments and some kind of quickly combustible
material (dryer lint soaked in lighter fluid, dry tinder, etc).
There was a couple of wires buried in the ground leading from
the campfire to a point out of sight (behind some bushes) where
a staffer would touch the wires to the battery terminals causing
the filaments to flash and ignite the combustible material,
thus starting the fire as if by "magic".  Now, this was coupled
with a pseudo-native American "ritual" to light the fire by
calling on the "spirits."   
At another camp we started the fire with an Indian ceremony
where the "Indian" shot an arrow out into the water (our campfire
area was on a point jutting out into Puget Sound).  Then the fire
was lit (I forget exactly how, doesn't really matter).  Then the
first song=leader came clambering up over the rocks leading up
from the water wearing a wet-suit with the arrow in the back!
Of course he led everyone in "What do you do with a Drunken Sailor?"
;^)
This was one of the best campfire openings I've ever been involved
with. 


------------------------------
From:     Jim Speirs <jim.speirs@canrem.com>
Date:     Wed, 21 Apr 1993 20:00:00 -0400
Subject: campfire openings.

Campfire Openings

 1) As our music cheers us, so be the melody of our lives;
    As our mirth unites us, so be the harmony of our hearts;
    As our spirits rise to the lilt of our song, so may the Great
          Spirit uplift us to renewed endeavour;
    And may the happy fellowship of this circle go out into all
    the world.

2)  May this fire touch us with the magic of its mystery;
    May we see in its dance the ever-changing beauty of the
       world;
    May this fire be good medicine
    Where fellowship, adventure, and fun sit side by side;
    May this fire tonight remain forever in our hearts;
    Even as their first fire kindled by our ancestors
    Has remained alight through the ages

3)  The stars shining over us,
    Their light shines before us,
    Oh God of Nature,
    Grant to us a perfect peace

4)  Kneel always when you light a fire;
    Kneel reverently and thankful be,
    For God's unfailing charity.

5)  Tall trees that reach the sky,
    Mountains and lakes nearby;
    Draw near my friends,
    Come sing, my friends,
    Our campfire time is nigh.

6)  The fire is lit, come lift your voice;
    Let song and skit beguile the hours;
    The fire is lit, so let's rejoice,
    Our hearts are full, the night is ours.

7)  The life of a fire is like the life of a person.  In it's
    infancy, it is faint and weak and must be carefully
    nourished and tended.  As it catches, it crawls and spreads
    like a child exploring it's world. In it's adolescence, it
    flares fast and bright, racing for new height.  Soon, it will
    burn with the steady heat and light of it's adulthood.


8)  As the Flames point upward, so be our aims,
    As the red logs glow, so be our sympathies;
    As the grey ash fades, so be our errors;
    As this good fire warms us, so may our ideals warm the world.
    So may the Scout ideal warm the world.


9)  Music of the Night

    Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation..
    Darkness stirs and wakes imagination..
    Silently the senses abandon their defences..

    Slowly, gently, night unfurls it's splendour..
    Grasp it, sense it -- tremulous and tender..
    Turn your face away from the garish light of day.
    Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light..
    And listen to the Music of the Night.

    Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.
    Hear it, feel it secretly possess you.
    Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
    In this darkness which you know you cannot fight..
    The Darkness of the music of the night.

10) Leap high O golden flame, the day is dead
    Bring warmth and cheer, O flame, the sun has fled
    Stoutly your gleam maintain, youths not abed,
    Ring out the hear'ts refrain, goodwill to all.

11) Who hath smelt wood smoke at twilight ?
    Who hath heard the birch log burning ?
    Who is quick to read the noises of the night ?
    Let him follow with the others,
    For the young men's feet are turning
    To the camps of proved desire and known delight.

    (Rudyard Kipling)

12) Cold night weighs down the forest bough,
    Strange shapes go flitting through the gloom;
    But see..  a spark, a flame and now
    The wilderness is home !

13) The simple life and friendly cheer,
    May all those find who gather here.

14) Behold the fire, my comrades,
    May it's flames purify your hearts,
    Let no unfriendly thoughts be harboured,
    Let no uncouth word be spoken,
    Keep the spirit of the campfire in your hearts forever,
    Peace be to all men.

15) The forests of long ago, stored up in themselves the warmth
    of the sunshine of ages past, and then perished to give it
    out to us again and make fleeting pictures in our fire.

------------------------------
From:     Jim Speirs <jim.speirs@canrem.com>
Date:     Wed, 21 Apr 1993 20:00:00 -0400
Subject: campfire closings.

Campfire Closings

1)  As darkness creeps into our circle of light,
    Embers that glow and sigh
    Draw our friendship circle closer,
    Whisper memories that will not die;
    God's magic danced in our fire's flames,
    And fills the gathering night
    With mystery and a wondrous peace.
    That bids safe sleep 'til morning's light.

2)  The stars shining over us,
    Their light shines before us,
    Oh God of Nature,
    Grant to us a perfect peace

3)  Once you have been a camper,
    Something has come to stay
    Something has come that nothing
    Will ever take away.
    We came as strangers, we became friends, we part as brothers.

4)  The day was long; we've worked and played,
    And round this fire, we've good friends made;
    We've shared a friendship fine and deep,
    And now this circle leaves to sleep.

5)  A fire, in it's later life, goes dim.  No longer does it have 
    the fierce brightness of it's youth.  Still, it gives a 
    gentle, steady warmth, just as an elderly man or woman shares 
    the warmth of understanding and the steadiness of experience.

6)  And, this is a fact of life: all things must die.  The memory 
    of those passed on lives deep and dear in our hearts.  This 
    fire will fade to cold ash, but it's flame will glow in our   
     memory - Leader, May '91.

7)  Around the fire's glow the silent night
    Pressed close and closer to the dying flame,
    And in the narrowing circle of it's light
    Closer and closer to its heart we came.

8)  Wood and water, wind and tree,
    Wisdom, strength and courtesy,
    Scouting favour go with thee.


9)  Sparkling Thoughts

    You need enough sugar to give everyone in the circle a small 
    handful.  After the closing, ask the group to gather around   
    the dying embers.  Pass around the jar of sugar and quietly   
    ask people to take some and hold onto it.  When everyone is   
    ready,together toss the sugar on the fire.  You can compare   
    the flashing sparks and quick flames to happy thoughts or     
    simply enjoy these happy thoughts in silence.


--------------------------------   
From: Unknown   
Subject: Skit - CRAZY NEWS FLASHES   
Today, Lady Blenkinsop Smythe, laid a foundation stone.   
Both are said to be doing well.   

A lorry load of artificial hair has just overturned on the motorway.   
The police are combing the countryside.   

This afternoon, two girl scouts, went for a tramp in the woods.   
The tramp got away.   

A hundred dollar bill has just been found on the campsite.   
Will the owner, please form an orderly queue outside the mess   
tent to claim it.     
Doctors have just discovered, that people with hairs starting to   
grow on the palms of their hands are going mad.   
PAUSE.   
They also tell us that people looking for hairs on the palms of   
their hands are already mad.   

Today thieves broke into the local police station and stole   
fifty pairs of trousers.   
The police are looking, pretty silly.   

Yesterday a chicken swallowed a YoYo.   
It laid the same egg seventy five times.   

Here is a late railway annoncement.   
The train now arriving at platforms 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10   
is coming in sideways.   

Will the man who has just left the train standing on platform 5.   
Please come and collect it as we have enough of our own.   


-------------------------------- End of FAQ #1 --------------------------------
