Instructional Campfire Note to presenter: The information in the instructional campfire influences the entire course. That fact is intuitive, and many staffs don’t get the message. It is up to you to help them see the relationship between the campfire and the rest of the course. 1

Instructional Campfire? Why an Instructional Campfire? Why do we have an instructional part of the campfire during the Wood Badge course? • Because standards are updated frequently, and many times it has been some time since participants have had other campfire instruction. • Because the standards in the campfire should be applied to the entire course. 2

The Campfire Captures the Essence of the Course Tell participants: The campfire captures the essence of the course—it sets the tone of the course. Check out the Scoutmaster’s Minute of the campfire. It is all about building character. As you plan your campfire, you should plan one that leads up to that message. The campfire is a summation of the Day One lessons. There is lots of character built into Day One: The troop meeting contains a segment on the aims and methods of Scouting. Listening to Learn reminds us how important listening to other people in order to understand them is. Values, Mission, and Vision shows us that everything we do reflects our values. Campfires—and the ways we treat one another during the entire course—are no exception. 3

Alternate Venues Tell participants: You will have thought of a place to have a campfire in case of inclement weather—and that is important. But maybe you want to think of having the campfire in some place that the participants don’t expect it. It might add a sense of anticipation or make the moment more special. 4

Model for Approval Process Tell participants: The campfire approval process is critical to a successful participant campfire. The staff member assigned to this needs to be very attentive to details concerning the participant campfire. There should be “no surprises to the chairman”—you don’t want to be in the position of stopping a skit or song because of inappropriateness. Meeting with the campfire planners during the first weekend is important; monitoring plans as they take shape makes a difference in the final outcome. 5

Practice in Planning Tell participants: This is yet another opportunity for the participants to plan. This time they will use the Campfire Program Planner as a tool for planning. 6

Fun and Inspiration Tell participants: This goes without saying. Plan some elements in the campfire that will amaze your participants—a special lighting, a really great storyteller. Be sure that the “fun” elements are within Scouting’s guidelines for appropriateness. 7

Instruction Tell participants: Campfires can teach a lesson, as you well know. At this one, you’re going to tell them what to do, then show them what to do. Ask for feedback from the participants—did they get the message? 8

Relationships Within Troop Are Strengthened Tell participants: This is the real heart of the campfire. What relationships, you might ask. There are troopwide relationships—it is important not to have fun at someone else’s expense. And not only at the campfire—all the songs, cheers, yells, etc., during the course should be positive and not demeaning to another person or patrol. Another way to build those relationships is to get everyone involved. Staff and participants all like to have fun and everyone is on the same team. 9

Example for Participants Tell participants: Just like the staff project, the staff campfire sets the bar for the participants. 10

Keys to a Great Campfire The Two P’s and Four S’s – Planning – Positive – Showmanship – Songs – Skits – Stories 11

The Two P’s Planning Positive – For a campfire program to be effective, it must be planned well in advance. Positive – All activities contribute to the aims of Scouting. Tell participants: Planning makes it possible to have everything work toward the whole, be connected or related to the other parts, and get across your message. Many staffs choose a theme for the campfire. 12

The Four S’s Showmanship Songs Skits Stories – Be creative… Be resourceful… Be imaginative. Songs – A good selection of songs is a must for a memorable campfire. Skits – Skits bring out the actor in all of us! Stories – Should be motivating, inspirational, or thought-provoking. 13

After-Campfire Cracker Barrel Feedback Tell participants: To reinforce the campfire’s message, you might want to do some follow-up with an article in the Day Two Gilwell Gazette, some intentional conversation at the cracker barrel, or some other way of getting feedback. You will know the lessons have been learned when you see that everything they do during the rest of the course stands up to the light of the campfire. 14

Now… A Great Campfire Awaits You! 15