START 7 DAY FREE TRIAL

Campers

Campfire Traditions to Enjoy with Friends and Family

Written By: happycamper

Enjoy these campfire traditions with you family and friends!

Probably one of the most symbolic parts of camping and sleep away camps is the campfire. No camp would feel complete without it!

As our 24-hour access to technology continues to expand, the long history of camp traditions has become that much more important to continue. The campfire feels sacred and should stay that way. So put away your phone because you won’t need it here! Join me as I take you through six campfire traditions that you can enjoy at camp or even with your family at home.

1) Campfire Songs– Anyone who goes to camp gets to enjoy the ritual of singing around the campfire. If you’ve been to camp, then I bet you have your favorites. There are certainly more “traditional” camp songs, but there is no right or wrong song to sing. But choosing songs that everyone can sing along to and are easy to remember make great choices. Put your Happy Camper music skills to work and liven up the experience with an instrument! These camps will give you the basics you need to make your campfire gathering that much more fun:

And if you feel inclined to dance, do so!

2) Storytelling – The art of storytelling around a campfire has been around for ages. Long before books were being written, people used oral storytelling to engage eager listeners. Ghost stories are often associated with campfire gatherings, but any kind of story will do! If you are with a group of people with the same past experiences you can tell a story of a special memory you’ve had together. Have something funny that happened to you? Make everyone laugh by sharing it.

3) Meal Time – Chances are when you think of campfire food, the first things that come to mind are roasting hot dogs on a stick or making s’mores. But there are so many foods out there to explore! Check out our post about Camp Foodto get some great ideas. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner…or you’re craving an ooey, gooey dessert at sunset…the campfire is a great place to cook and enjoy your meal with family and friends.

4) Skits/Charades – Performing skits around the campfire is a wonderful way to engage everyone. This is sure to bring lots of laughter. The pre-planning and rehearsing will take place in the hours or days ahead of time, but the culmination of performing the skit will happen after everyone gathers around the campfire as the sun goes down. Any time you can get your parents or camp counselors involved is sure to be a delight.  These can be as quick or as long as you want them to be – the key is keeping your audience interested and involved! Check out this listfor tons of skit ideas!

Not prepared with a skit? An impromptu game of charades is a great way to get everyone up and moving around, with belly laughs sure to ensue!

5) Community Meetings/Ceremonies– Families and camp goers alike bond together around the campfire. Mealtime, singing or just quietly gathering will help achieve this goal. But a wonderful way to build a stronger community together is by joining in a community meeting around the campfire. This can be informal – where everyone could share a sunny or stormy part of their day; or it can be more formal where a leader sets the tone for the discussion. Camps often use the campfire to create a sense of community through an opening ceremony. Throughout the week, these meetings continue to build togetherness. As camp comes to an end, a closing ceremony around the campfire is a great way to honor the community that has been created.

6) Stargazing – This one is as simple as it sounds. After a busy day at camp (or wherever), just laying around the campfire on a clear night is a great way to clear your head and relax before bedtime. Four of the most visible constellations year-round to look for include:

  • The Big Dipper
  • The Little Dipper
  • The Great Bear
  • Orion, The Hunter

If you’re lucky, you might even see a shooting star!

 

 

Tagged:- campfire, campfire skits, stargazing, storytelling, summer camp

RELATED ARTICLES

Arts and crafts

Family activities

How To Style The Kids’ Table For Thanksgiving

Creating a fun, festive kids’ table for Thanksgiving is a great way to keep little ones entertained and engaged throughout the meal. With a little planning, you can transform a simple table setting into a cozy, creative space they’ll remember for years. You can even task your own children to help plan the kids’ table […]

Activities

Family activities

Thanksgiving Traditions to Start With Your Family

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to create new traditions that bring the family together, fostering gratitude, connection, and a sense of belonging. Whether you’re celebrating with extended family, close friends, or just your household, adding a few personal touches to the holiday can make it even more meaningful. Here are some Thanksgiving tradition ideas that […]

Read More...

Activities

Family activities

How Do You Make Thanksgiving Fun For Kids?

Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and delicious food. But for kids, it can sometimes feel a little slow or even boring between the meal preparations and adult conversations. Here are some fun, kid-friendly activities to help make Thanksgiving a hit for everyone!   Get Creative with a Thanksgiving Craft Station Set up a crafting […]

Read More...

Activities

Outdoor adventure

The Ultimate Fall Scavenger Hunt List

Fall is a magical time of year at camp. The crisp air, changing leaves, and bustling wildlife make it the perfect season for exploration and discovery. One of the best ways to encourage campers to get outside and notice the world around them is through a fall-themed scavenger hunt. Not only does this activity get […]

Read More...

Activities

Arts and crafts

Turkey Crafts for Kids

Get ready to spread some Thanksgiving cheer with adorable turkey crafts! Whether you’re preparing for a holiday feast or just looking to create some fun fall decorations, these turkey crafts are perfect for kids of all ages. Grab some glue, colorful paper, and a pinch of creativity to get started with these Thanksgiving turkey crafts […]

Read More...

HAPPY CAMPERS

Keeping Camp Games Fun for Every Camper

Read More...

Puppet World!

Read More...

How to Tell A Good Camp Story

Read More...

Pumpkin-Themed Camp Games for Kids

Read More...

categories

Activities (218)

Arts and crafts (64)

Camp stories (11)

Camp traditions (23)

Campers (91)

Cooking (38)

Education (6)

Family activities (79)

Featured camps (12)

Gift Guides (11)

Music (9)

Outdoor adventure (31)

Parents (62)

Podcast (25)

School (15)

Science (11)

Sports (32)

STEM (6)

Water sports (1)