THE CAMPFIRE CEREMONY

PART 1
I.
FIRE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Version 1 (bisaya)

(4 Scouts act as the four horsemen of the NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST)

Scout # 1: GIKAN SA AMIHANAN…. Bagyo, lunop, landslide………

Scout # 2: GIKAN SA HABAGATAN…..Gubat, massacre, rebellion…..

Scout # 3: GIKAN SA SIDLAKAN…..Drug addiction….

Scout # 4: GIKAN SA KASADPAN…. Prostitution, abortion…..

FOUR HORSEMEN: Kami nga mga batan-on karon, nangita ug giya….kangitngit dili namo makita ang dalan nga among gi-agian… dili namo makita ang among padulngan…. KAHAYAG….. KAHAYAG….

KAHAYAAAAAG…..

(Scoutmaster/ Unit Leader/ SPL comes forward and bringing a lighted torch or candle)

“AKO ANG BOY SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES, AKO ANG KAHAYAG NGA MODAN-AG ALANG SA IMONG KAUGMAON….DALI UBAN KANAKO ARON ATONG USBON ANG DAGWAY SA ATONG

COMMUNIDAD….

(The four Scouts light their torches or candles and all 5 of them light the fire lay)

Version 2 (Scout Oath and Law)

(The four Scouts light their torches or candles)

Scout # 1: FROM THE NORTH…. On my honor, I will do my best, To do my duty to God and my country,

the Republic of the Philippines, and to obey the Scout law,

Scout # 2: FROM THE SOUTH…. On my honor, I will do my best, To help other people at all times,

Scout # 3: FROM THE EAST…. On my honor, I will do my best, To keep myself physically strong, mentally

awake and morally straight.

Scout # 4: FROM THE WEST…. A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind,

Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent

(The four of them lights the fire lay)

Version 3 (Campfire chief and the Spirit of Scouting)

(Scoutmaster/ Unit Leader/ SPL act as Spirit of Scouting, while bringing a lighted torch or candle)

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: Who are you?

SPIRIT: I am the Spirit of Scouting.

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: why are you here?

SPIRIT: I am here to share the spirit to those who want to accept it.

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: I want it.

SPIRIT: Then I’ll give it to you if you promise to do your best, to do your duty to god and country, to obey the scout law and to help other people at all times, to keep yourself physically strong mentally

awake and morally straight. Will you promise?

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: yes, I’ll do.

SPIRIT: Then come.

[The Spirit gives the torch or candle to the campfire chief and guides him to the firelay. Campfire chief lights the firelay. After it’s lit, the campfire chief goes back to his chair. (May add some adlibs for the

exit of the Spirit while the campfire chief goes back to his chair.) ]

II. PRESENTATION OF THE SCROLL

(The Master of the fire presents the scroll which contains the program to the Campfire chief)

MASTER OF THE FIRE: “Oh, great campfire chief, it is my honor to present to you the scroll of tonight’s campfire…..”
CAMPFIRE CHIEF: (Looks at the scroll and the program) “I can see that the program is well prepared…”

Version 1

…however, as the campfire chief, I have the authority and privilege to stop any presentation that will tend to discredit or dishonor the dignity of our church dignitaries and public officials or desecrate the

memories of our heroes. Likewise, it is my privilege to stop any and all vulgar and indecent presentations and/ or personifications. “

Version 2

…however, as the campfire chief, I have the authority to stop any presentation which dishonors our Creator, our forefathers, our heroes and government officials. I will stop the presentations which insult

anybody or any culture”.

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: I designate you as the official Master of the Fire for tonight’s Campfire.

MASTER OF THE FIRE: I promise to do my best.

III. ODE TO THE FIRE

(by the Campfire chief)

CAMPFIRE CHIEF (silently approaches the fire lay and says):

Version 1 Version 2

As the flames point upward, so be our aim; Tonight we burn a fire with flames;

As the red logs glow, so be our sympathies; That sparks and sings our hearts a glow with friendship;

As the grey ash fades, so be our errors; Let joyous laughter ring.

As this good fire warms us,

So may our ideal warm the world.

Version 3 Version 4

“As the smoke rises, so do the aims of the Scouting Movement…. Behold the fire, my friends.

As the fire lights this venue, so do the aspirations of our Scouts and Leaders….. May its flames purify your hearts,

As these logs turn to ashes, so do our setbacks and failures….. Let no unfriendly thoughts be harboured,

As the heat spreads out around the circle, so does the spirit of Scouting. Let no uncouth word be spoken,

Keep the spirit of the campfire in your hearts forever.

Peace be to all.

Version 5 Version 6

The simple life and friendly cheer, The call of the fire

May all those who find it gather here. Comes to us through the shadows

Version 7 That follows the close of the day.

Kneel always when you light a fire, Its flames bring us peace

Kneel reverently and thankful be And a calmness of spirit

For God’s unfailing charity. That drives all our troubles away.

And on the ascending flame inspire We are thankful for days

A little prayer that shall up bear And the joys that they bring us

The incense of your thankfulness For nights and the rest that they bring.

For this sweet grace of warmth and light. May we go on believing

For here again is sacrifice for your delight. In this joy we’re receiving

Just now ‘round the fire as we sing.

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: as the Campfire Chief I now declare this campfire program formally open.

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: Master of the fire, carry on……

PART 2
I. COMMUNITY SINGING

(The song must be lively)

Suggested songs: The more we get together, Aram-sam-sam, Dong-ning-ning, Were here were here, Scouts round the fire etc.

CAMPFIRES BURNING
SCOUTS ROUND THE FIRE
Campfires burning Campfires burning

Campfire’s burning, burning burning burning Draw nearer Draw nearer

Campfire’s burning, burning burning bright In the glowing In the glowing

Come sing and be merry

Scouts are singing, singing round the campfire

Scouts are singing, singing round the fire

(clapping, dancing, jumping)

 ARAM SAM SAM WE’RE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN

//A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam //We’re all together again,

We’re here, we’re here//2x

Gili gili gili gili gili ram sam sam// 2x And who knows when we’ll

Be all together again,

// ARAMI ARAMI Singing all together again

We’re here.
Gili gili gili gili gili ram sam sam// 2x
(repeat all)

II. PRESENTATIONS (The master of the fire then calls the presenters in random)
III. ICE BREAKER (Ice breakers are arranged in between presentations to serve as energizers)
IV. PRESENTATIONS

PART 3
I. QUIETING SONG

(As the fire is dying, the atmosphere must also be solemn and silent at this time. This also prepares the Scouts for the Campfire chief’s yarn.)

Suggested songs:
II. CAMPFIRE CHIEF’S YARN
PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL KUM BAH YAH
(The campfire chief may tell a story with a moral lesson for the Scouts. Usually anecdotes, real life experiences, or stories that teach scouts to be honest, good and obedient.)
Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw /// Kum ba yah, my Lord,
III. DECLARATION OF THE CAMPFIRE CLOSE
Pilipinas Kong Mahal Kum ba yah! /// (3x)
Version 1 Ang puso ko at buhay man Oh Lord Kum ba yah
As the embers turn toSa
ashes
iyo'y ibibigay Someone’s crying Lord...
And as we droop our eyes in slumber Someone’s praying Lord...
May you dream of theTungkulin
memories kong
of thisgagampanan
Campfire. Someone’s singing Lord...

Version 2 Na lagi kang paglingkuran

Anglight
Now the fading campfire layasays,
mo'y babantayan
“It’s time to say “Good Night”,
Pilipinas
All the fun we’ve had today will kong Hirang...
soon belong to yesterday.

Version 3

But though the fire is dwindling low though the flames to embers go

We will ever keep the glow of friendship in our hearts.

CAMPFIRE CHIEF: As the Campfire Chief, I declare this Campfire closed

IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS

(The SPL or Troop Leader may give announcements or reminders at this part of the ceremony)

V. SCOUTMASTER’S BENEDICTION

“May the Great Scoutmaster, of all good Scouts, be with us always, as it was in the past, so let it be in the future, until our paths cross again”