Campfire songs

Campfires have always been an important part of Scouts, whether outdoors or recreated fire-free indoor campfires.

Good camp songs help everyone to have fun and doing in around the campfire, build camping spirit and making great memories.

We’ve put together a list of brilliant campfire songs, from opening your campfire, to getting everyone dancing and laughing, to calming and focusing songs before bedtime.

So, gather your campers, marshmallows and your voices because it’s time for a classic campfire sing-a-long!

Before running or planning your campfire, remember to take a look at our safety guidance and risk assessments.

Opening songs

Campfire’s burning, campfire’s burning,

Draw nearer, draw nearer,

In the gloaming, in the gloaming,

Come sing and be merry.

(Tune: When the Saints go marching In)

Chorus

Now, when the Scouts (when the Scouts)

Come hiking in (come hiking in)

Now, when the Scouts come hiking in (hiking in)

Yes, I want to be in that Scout group

When the Scouts come hiking in

Verse 1

Now here comes Dave, he needs a shave

When the Scouts come hiking in,

And we’ll have Dave at that camp-fire,

When the Scouts come hiking in.

Repeat chorus then add verses from the following - or you could use the young people’s names:

Now here comes Ellie, who's eating jelly
Now here comes Pete, with his aching feet
Now here comes Zayn, who's got a sprain
Now here comes Pradeep, who's fast asleep
Now here comes Max, with all the snacks
Now here comes Skye, who's very shy
Now here comes Grace, with a fast pace
Now here comes Amar, who's walked too far
Now here comes Andy, who ate the candy
Now here comes Bryn, with a great big grin
Now here comes Lee, who needs a wee
Now here comes Sophie, who won the trophy
Now here comes Esther, who walked to Chester
Now here comes Buddy, who’s rather muddy
Now here come Lily, who's very silly
Now here comes Joe, who’s hurt his toe
Now here comes Patrick, who scored a hat-trick

Verse 1

The more we get together, together, together,

The more we get together the happier we’ll be

For your friends are my friends,

And my friends are your friends,

The more we get together, the happier we’ll be

Verse 2

The more we get together, together, together,

The more we get together the happier we’ll be

For you know that I know,

And I know that you know,

The more we get together, the happier we’ll be

(Tune – It’s a long way to Tipperary)

Verse 1

It’s a good time to get acquainted,

It’s a good time to know,

Who is sitting close beside you

And to smile and say ‘Hello!’

Verse 2

Goodbye, chilly feeling,

Goodbye, glassy stare,

If we all join hands and pull together,

We’re sure to get there.

The gang’s all here

Hail, hail, the gang's all here,

Never mind the weather, here we are together;

Hail, hail, the gang's all here,

Sure we're glad that you're here, too!

Energising songs

Version 1

Thunder, thunderation,

We’re all here in (clap) celebration,

We’ve got lots of (HUH) determination,

We’re the best Scouts in the nation!

Repeat the verse multiple times, getting louder (or quieter!) each time.

Verse 1

Hey, ho, Captain Jack!

Meet me by the railroad track,

With your COOKIES in your hand,

You can be my GINGERBREAD man!

Chorus

Go left, Go left, Go boogie on down,

Go left, Go left, Go right,

Go right, Go right, Go boogie on down,

Go right, Go right, Go left

Repeat and add in different items for COOKIES and GINGERBREAD from the following:

Webs; Spider-Man
Bat; Bat Man
Tyres; Michelin Man
Cookies: Gingerbread Man
Scarf; Snow Man
Cape; Super Man
Fishing Rod; Fisher Man
Ladder; Fire Woman
Lasso; Super Woman
Sword; Wonder Woman
Motorbike; Stunt Woman
Football; Sports Woman

Song - repeat the phrase and get faster each time.

I’m alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic!

Actions

When you say ‘Alive’, touch your toes.

When you say ‘Awake’, touch your knees.

When you say ‘Alert’, touch your shoulders.

When you say ‘Enthusiastic’, wave your hands high up it the air.

Verse 1

One Scout went to mow,

Went to mow a meadow.

One Scout and their dog - Woof! -

Went to mow a meadow.

Verse 2

Two Scouts went to mow,

Went to mow a meadow.

Two Scouts, one Scout and their dog - Woof! -

Went to mow a meadow.

Verse 3

Three Scouts went to mow,

Went to mow a meadow.

Three Scouts, two Scouts, one Scout

And their dog - Woof! -

Went to mow a meadow.

Verse 4

Four Scouts went to mow,

Went to mow a meadow.

Four Scouts, three Scouts, two Scouts, one Scout

And their dog - Woof! -

Went to mow a meadow.

Verse 5

Five Scouts went to mow,

Went to mow a meadow.

Five Scouts, four Scouts, three Scouts, two Scouts, one Scout

And their dog - Woof! -

Went to mow a meadow.

Verse 6

Six Scouts went to mow,

Went to mow a meadow.

Six Scouts, five Scouts, four Scouts, three Scouts, two Scouts, one Scout

And their dog - Woof! -

Went to mow a meadow.

A Group Of Squirrels Sat Around A Campfire Circle

Repeat after me songs

Verse 1

Coca-Cola came to town,

Diet Pepsi shut him down.

Dr. Pepper picked him up,

Now we’re drinking 7-Up.

Verse 2

7-Up caught the ‘flu,

Now we’re drinking Irn Bru.

Irn Bru fell down the mountain,

Now we’re drinking from the fountain.

Verse 3

Oh no, the fountain's broke,

Now we’re drinking Diet Coke.

Diet Coke got in a muddle,

Now we’re drinking from a puddle.

Verse 4

Oh no, the puddle dried up,

Now we’re drinking from a cup.

Oh no, our cup has spilt,

Now we’re glugging tins of Lilt.

Verse 5

Lilt fell into time-warp stasis,

Now we’re slurping down Oasis.

Oasis was a trick of light,

Had to get a glass of Sprite.

Verse 6

All the Sprite was drunk by Santa,

Left us on the fizzy Fanta.

Tango came and stole the show,

Now it’s back to Coke Ze-ro.

Everywhere we go,

people always ask us,

who we are

and where we come from.

So we tell them,

we’re from (NAME OR AREA)!

Mighty, mighty (NAME OR AREA)!

But if they can’t hear us

we'll yell a little (louder, quieter, slower, sillier and so on)!

I said a boom chick-a boom

I said a boom chick-a rock-a chick-a rock-a chick-a boom

Uh-huh

Oh yeah

One more time

In a …. voice / As a …

Repeat and change your voice each time:

In a loud voice
In a quiet voice
In a lion’s voice
In a posh voice
In a silly voice

Or, you could try and make some fun rhymes:

As an Astronaut (zoom chick-a zoom, take a rocket to the moon)
As a Cleaner (broom sweep a broom, sweep-a mop-a, sweep-a mop-a, sweep a broom)

Verse 1

There was a great big moose (there was a great big moose)

Who liked to drink a lot of juice (who liked to drink a lot of juice)

There was a great big moose (there was a great big moose)

Who liked to drink a lot of juice (who liked to drink a lot of juice)

Chorus

Singing way-oh, way oh (singing way-oh, way-oh)

Way-up, way-up, way-up way-up (way-up, way-up, way-up, way-up)

Way oh, way oh (way oh, way oh)

Way-up, way-up, way-up, way-up (way-up, way-up, way-up way-up)

Verse 2

The moose's name was Fred.

He liked to drink his juice in bed.

The moose's name was Fred.

He liked to drink his juice in bed.

Verse 3

He drank his juice with care,

But he spilled some in his hair.

He drank his juice with care,

But he spilled some in his hair.

Verse 4

Now he's a sticky moose.

A moose covered in juice.

Now he's a sticky moose.

A moose covered in juice.

Verse 5

All his hair went stiff.

So he combed it in a quiff.

All his hair went stiff.

So he combed it in a quiff.

Verse 6

His friends began to laugh.

So he had to take a bath.

His friends began to laugh.

So he had to take a bath.

Verse 7

Fred the moose pulled the plug,

As the water went down the tub,

Singing glug-glug-glug-glug

Fred the moose pulled the plug,

As the water went down the tub,

Singing glug-glug-glug-glug

Flee

Flee fly

Flee fly flo

Vista

Coomalah coomalah coomalah vista

Oh no no no, not the vista

Eeny meeny decimeeny

Oo-ah loo-ah lameeny zimeeny zalimeeny oo-ah loo-ah

Ah beat belly oh bo bo do da dee-bah

Shhhhhhh

The Princess Pat

lived in a tree.

She sailed across the Seven Seas.

She sailed across the Channel too,

and took with her a rick-a-bamboo.

A rick-a-bamboo, now what is that?

It’s something made by the Princess Pat.

It’s red and gold,

and purple too.

That’s why it’s called a rick-a-bamboo, a rick-a-bamboo.

Now Princess Pat

saved Captain Jack.

She reeled him in,

and brought him back.

She saved his life

and his crew too,

because she had a rick-a-bamboo.

Action songs

I’m being swallowed by a boa constrictor,

And I don’t like it one little bit!

Oh no! He swallowed my toe.

Oh gee! He’s up to my knee.

Oh my! He’s up to my thigh.

Oh fiddle! He’s up to my middle.

Oh heck! He’s up to my neck.

Oh dread! He’s up to my head.

Verse 1

Baby shark do do do do do do

Baby shark

Action: Make a shark mouth with two fingers

Verse 2

Mama shark do do do do do do

Mama shark

Action: Shark mouth with hands connected at the wrists

Continue with a new verse and action each time:

Papa Shark: Shark mouth with whole arms
Grandma Shark: Shark mouth like mama shark, but with fists
Grandpa Shark: Shark mouth like papa shark, but with fists
Surf the waves: Pretend to surf
Went for a swim: Swimming motion with arms
Spot a shark: Place side of hand against forehead, then look to the left and right
Swim away: Swimming motion with arms and legs while jogging on spot
Shark attack: Put one hand on top of head, like a fin
Lost an arm: Swimming motion with one hand behind the back
Lost a leg: Swimming motion while standing on one leg
Reached the shore: Wipe brow as if to motion ‘Phew!’
Safe at last: Celebrate with arms in air and high five

You may want to vary Baby Shark's family to reflect different families. You could have Aunty Shark or Step-papa Shark. You could also have Mummy and Mumma shark, instead of Mama and Papa shark.

Old MacDonald had a farm, ee-i, ee-i, o,

And on his farm he had some pigs, ee-i, ee-i, o,

With an oink oink here, an oink oink there

Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere an oink oink,

Old MacDonald had a farm, ee-i, ee-i, o.

Repeat the song and add in different animals each time from the following:

Cow - moo moo
Horse - neigh neigh
Sheep - baa baa
Chicken - chick chick
Geese - honk honk
Donkey - hee haw
Duck - quack quack
Dog - woof woof
Cat - meow meow
Fish - swish swish

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

Continue with the following or add in your own actions:

If you’re happy and you know it, stamp your feet.
If you’re happy and you know it, click your fingers.
If you’re happy and you know it, nod your head.
If you’re happy and you know it, shout ‘we are!’
If you’re happy and you know it, do all five.

(To the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)

Verse 1

If it’s raining and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap).

If it’s raining and you know it, then your clothes will surely show it,

If it’s raining and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap).

Verse 2

If the mud’s only knee deep, stamp your feet (stamp, stamp).

If the mud’s only knee deep, and it really makes you weep,

If the mud’s only knee deep, stamp your feet (stamp, stamp).

Verse 3

If the wind is really blowing, shake your head (shake, shake).

If the wind is really blowing, and your hair has started flowing,

If the wind is really blowing, shake your head (shake, shake).

Verse 4

If the temperature is falling, rub your hands (rub, rub).

If the temperature is falling, and your spirit’s slowly stalling,

If the temperature is falling, rub your hands (rub, rub).

Verse 1

Head, shoulders, knees and toes,

knees and toes.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes,

knees and toes.

And eyes and ears and mouth and nose.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Repeat each time, replacing each body part with a call in turn, such as:

Verse 2

CLAP, shoulders, knees and toes,

knees and toes.

CLAP, shoulders, knees and toes,

knees and toes.

And eyes and ears and mouth and nose.

CLAP, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Verse 3

CLAP, CLAP, knees and toes,

knees and toes.

CLAP, CLAP, knees and toes,

knees and toes.

And eyes and ears and mouth and nose.

CLAP, CLAP, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Together: I am the music maker, I come from down your way and I can play.

Reply: What can you play?

Song leader: I can play the piano!

Together: Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano, pia-pia-piano, pia-piano!

Repeat it and then add on another instrument each time:

Saxophone: I play the saxophone. Saxo-saxo-saxophone, saxophone, saxophone, saxo-saxo saxophone, saxo, saxophone.

Violin: I play the violin. Vio vio violin violin violin – Vio vio violin vio violin.

Big bass drum: I play the big bass drum. Boom-di, boom-di, boom-di, boom. Boom-di, boom, boom-di, boom. Boom-di, boom-di, boom-di, boom. Boom-di, boom-di, boom.

Bells: I play the bells. Jing a ling a ling a ling, jing a ling, jing a ling. Jing a ling a ling a ling, jing a ling a ling!

Shakers: I play the shakers. Shaky shaky shaky shake, shaky shake, shaky shake. Shaky shaky shaky shake, shaky shaky shake!

Trombone: I play the trombone. Umpa-umpa-um-pa-pa, um-pa-pa um-pa-pa, Umpa-umpa-um-pa-pa, umpa-um-pa-pa!

All the instruments: We play our instruments. Tra la la la la la la, la la la, la la la. Tra la la la la la la, tra la la la la!

Alice the camel’s got five humps

So go, Alice, go! Boom, boom, boom!

Repeat each time reducing the number of humps:

Alice the camel’s got four humps
Alice the camel’s three humps
Alice the camel’s two humps
Alice the camel’s got one hump
Alice the camel’s got no humps…so Alice is a horse!

Verse 1

When I was one,

I had a bun the day I went to sea.

I climbed aboard a pirate ship,

and the captain said to me,

Chorus

‘We’re going this way, that way, (lean side to side)

Forwards and backwards, (lean forwards and backwards)

Over the Irish Sea, (use hand and arm to make waves)

A bottle of pop to fill my tum, (rub tummy)

And that’s the life for me’ (slap your knee on ‘me’)

Repeat chorus then add verses from the following:

When I was two, I tied my shoe,
When I was three, I bumped my knee,
When I was four, I shut the door,
When I was five, I did the jive,
When I was six, I gathered sticks,
When I was seven, I went to Devon,
When I was eight, I closed the gate,
When I was nine, I was feeling fine,
When I was ten, I started again,

Verse 1

When Mr Clicketty Cane, plays a silly game, all the kids in the street, they like to do the same.

Leader: Wash your face in orange juice (pretend to wash your face)

Repeat: Wash your face in orange juice (pretend to wash your face)

Verse 2

When Mr Clicketty Cane, plays a silly game, all the kids in the street, they like to do the same.

Leader: Wash your face in orange juice (pretend to wash your face)

Repeat: Wash your face in orange juice (pretend to wash your face)

Leader: Clean your teeth with bubblegum (pretend to brush your teeth)

Repeat: Clean your teeth with bubblegum (pretend to brush your teeth)

Then repeat, adding on a new verse each time:

Fix the fence with sticky tape (pretend to fix a fence)
Comb your hair with a toothbrush (pretend to comb your hair)
Fry an egg on a slippery dip (pretend to fry a wobbly egg)
Belly flop a pizza (pretend to throw a pizza using your tummy)

In this one, everyone can either repeat each line straight after the leader or say it all together.

Everyone should keep all the ever-increasing actions going throughout the song.

Verse 1

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’ I said, ‘No,’

‘Then turn this button with your right hand.’

Action: (move right hand, as if repeatedly turning a button and keep doing this until the end of the song)

Verse 2

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’ I said, ‘No,’

‘Then turn this button with your left hand.’

Action: (move left hand, as if repeatedly turning a button and keep doing this until the end of the song)

Verse 3

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’ I said, ‘No,’

‘Then push this button with your right foot.’

Action: (wiggle right foot and keep doing this until the end of the song)

Verse 4

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’ I said, ‘No,’

‘Then push this button with your left foot.’

Action: (wiggle left foot and keep doing this until the end of the song)

Verse 5

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’ I said, ‘No,’

‘Then push this button with your head.’

Action: (move head in a circular motion and keep doing this until the end of the song)

Verse 6

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’ I said, ‘No,’

‘Then push this button with your tongue.’

Action: (stick tongue out and keep doing this until the end of the song)

Verse 7

Hi, my name is Joe,

I've got a dog and two kids,

And I work in a button factory.

One day, my boss says, ‘Joe, are you busy?’

I said, ‘YES!’

Verse 1

One finger, one thumb, keep moving.

We’ll all be merry and bright!

Verse 2

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving.

We’ll all be merry and bright!

Verse 3

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving.

We’ll all be merry and bright!

Verse 4

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving.

We’ll all be merry and bright!

Verse 5

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, and turn around, keep moving.

We’ll all be merry and bright!

Verse 1

Thumbs up!

Action: put thumbs up

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 2

Thumbs up, arms out!

Action: put thumbs up and stick arms out

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 3

Thumbs up, arms out, elbows in

Action: thumbs up, stick arms out and pull elbows in

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 4

Thumbs up, arms out, elbows in, knees together

Action: thumbs up, stick arms out, pull elbows in, then put knees together

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 5

Thumbs up, arms out, elbows in, knees together, toes together

Action: thumbs up, stick arms out, pull elbows in, put knees together, then put toes together

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 6

Thumbs up, arms out, elbows in, knees together, toes together, bum out

Action: thumbs up, stick arms out, pull elbows in, put knees together, put toes together, bum out

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 7

Thumbs up, arms out, elbows in, knees together, toes together, bum out, head back

Action: thumbs up, stick arms out, pull elbows in, put knees together, put toes together, bum out, put head back

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 8

Thumbs up, arms out, elbows in, knees together, toes together, bum out, head back, tongue out

Action: thumbs up, stick arms out, pull elbows in, put knees together, put toes together, bum out, put head back and stick tongue out

I’m singing in the rain,

Just singing in the rain,

What a glorious feeling,

I’m / clap / happy again.

Verse 1

And we form banana, form, form bananas (bring left arm up from waist overhead)

And we form banana, form, form bananas (bring right arm up from waist meet and left hand overhead, reaching high)

And we peel banana, peel, peel banana (bring left arm down from overhead)

And we peel banana, peel, peel banana (bring right arm down from overhead)

And we GO BANANAS, GO, GO BANANAS! (spin around and swing arms wildly)

Verse 2

And we form potato, form, form potatoes (bring left arm up from waist overhead, not reaching as high as the banana shape)

And we form potato, form, form potatoes (bring right arm up from waist meet and left hand overhead, making your potato rounded)

And we peel potato, peel, peel potato (bring left arm down from overhead)

And we peel potato, peel, peel potato (bring right arm down from overhead)

And we MASH POTATOES, MASH, MASH POTATOES! (push hands away either away from the body or down to the floor, doing this repeatedly in a twisting motion)

Verse 3

And we form the corn, form, form the corn (bring left arm up from waist overhead)

And we form the corn, form, form the corn (bring right arm up from waist meet and left hand overhead)

And we peel the corn, peel, peel the corn (bring left arm down from overhead)

And we peel the corn, peel, peel corn the (bring right arm down from overhead)

And we POP THE CORN, POP, POP THE CORN! (jump up and down)

There was a farmer who had a dog,

And Bingo was his name-o.

B-I-N-G-O!

And Bingo was his name-o.

Repeat the rhyme, but each time you sing the next verse change a letter with a clap.

For example, you’d go ‘clap-I-N-G-O’, using the clap instead of the ‘B’.

The clever old Captain Kirk,

He had ten thousand men.

He beamed them up to the Enterprise,

And he beamed down again.

And when they’re up, they’re up, (stand up)

And when they’re down, they’re down, (stand down)

And when they’re only halfway up, they’re nowhere to be found (hover halfway between up and down).

Leader: Hey [camper name]

Camper: Hey what?

Group: Hey [camper name]

Camper: Hey what?

Group: Let me see you bungalow, let me see your bungalow! (clapping)

Camper: My hands are high (raises arms), My feet are low (touches toes), And this is how I bungalow! (does a dance move)

Group (while doing camper’s dance move): Bungalow, Bung-Bung-alow, Bungalow, Bung-bung-alow

The song then continues with the person who showed off their ‘bungalow’ choosing the next person, and so on.

A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam

Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam

A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam

Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam

A rafiq, a rafiq

Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam

A rafiq, a rafiq

Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam

The lyrics are sang repeatedly, often the actions must be performed faster each time.

Actions

There are different actions performed during the lyrics. The most popular version is:

A ram sam sam: pound fists on top of each other in turns

Guli guli guli guli: hands are winding around each other repeatedly or hands are pulled apart as if something is sticky

A rafiq, a rafiq: both hands move to one side of the head as if sleeping

Classic songs

This old man, he played one,

He played nick-nack on my drum.

With a nick-nack, paddy-wack,

Give the dog a bone,

This old man came rolling home.

Continue with more verses, using the follow numbers up to ten:

two - on my shoe
three - on my knee
four - on my door
five - on my drive
six - on my sticks
seven - down to Devon
eight - on my gate
nine - on my sign
ten - all over again

(Tune: On Top of Old Smokey)

Verse 1

On top of spaghetti,

All covered in cheese,

I lost my poor meat ball

When somebody sneezed.

Verse 2

It rolled off the table

And onto the floor,

And then my poor meat ball

Rolled out of the door.

Verse 3

It rolled down the garden

and under a bush,

And then my poor meat ball

was nothing but mush!

Verse 4

The mush was as tasty

As tasty could be,

And then the next summer,

It grew into a tree.

Verse 5

The tree was all covered,

All covered with moss,

And on it grew meatballs,

And tomato sauce.

Verse 6

So, if you have spaghetti,

All covered in cheese,

Hold onto your meat ball,

‘Cause someone might sneeze!

Verse 1

There are snakes, snakes, snakes,

Big as garden rakes,

In the stores! In the stores!

There are snakes, snakes, snakes,

Big as garden rakes, in the stores.

Chorus

My eyes are dim I can-not see.

I have not got my specs with me.

Verse 2

There are mice, mice, mice

Running through the rice,

In the stores! In the stores!

There are mice, mice, mice,

Running through the rice, in the stores.

Repeat chorus then add verses from the following

Lice - living on the mice.
Rats - big as blooming cats.
Roaches - big as football coaches
Snakes - big as garden rakes
Bears - but no one really cares
Beavers - with little meat cleavers
Foxes - stuffed in little boxes
Bread - harder than your head
Beans - as big as submarines
Goats - eating all the oats
Gravy - enough to float the navy
Apes - eating all the grapes
Owls - shredding paper towels
Fishes - washing all the dishes
Bees - with little knobbly knees
Flies - swarming round the pies
Scouts - eating Brussel sprouts

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,

Think I’ll go and eat worms,

Long thin skinny ones, short fat juicy ones,

See how they wriggle and squirm,

Bite their heads off, suck their juices out,

Throw the skins away.

You should see how well I thrive,

On worms three times a day.

Verse 1

What shall we do with a Scout who’s dozy,

Lies in bed when the morn is rosy,

Won’t get up ‘cos they say their cosy,

Early in the morning.

Verse 2

Hooray an’ up they rises,

Early in the morning.

Verse 3

Make them, shake them and jolly well wake them,

Early in the morning.

Verse 1

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes, shout hooray!

She’ll be coming round the mountain, coming round the mountain

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes, shout hooray!

Verse 2

She’ll be riding six white horses when she comes, whoa back!

She’ll be riding six white horses, riding six white horses,

She’ll be riding six white horses when she comes, whoa back!

Verse 3

Oh we’ll all go down to meet her when she comes, wave hello!

Oh we’ll all go down to meet her, we’ll all go down to meet her

Oh we’ll all go down to meet her when she comes, wave hello!

Verse 4

She’ll be wearing silk pyjamas when she comes, how nice!

She’ll be wearing silk pyjamas, wearing silk pyjamas

She’ll be wearing silk pyjamas when she comes, how nice!

Verse 5

She’ll have to sleep in bunk beds when she comes, snore snore!

She’ll have to sleep in bunk beds, have to sleep in bunk beds

Oh she’ll have to sleep in bunk beds when she comes, snore snore!

Verse 1

I’ve got a friend that you don’t know,

Yogi, Yogi.

I’ve got a friend that you don’t know,

Yogi, Yogi Bear.

Yogi, Yogi Bear, Yogi, Yogi Bear,

I’ve got a friend that you don’t know,

Yogi, Yogi Bear.

Continue and add in a new verse each time:

Verse 2

He’s got a friend that you don’t know,

Boo-Boo, Boo-Boo Bear.

Verse 3

He’s got a partner you don’t know,

Cindy, Cindy Bear.

Verse 4

They have an enemy you don’t know,

Ranger, Ranger Smith.

Verse 5

They all live in Jellystone,

Jelly, Jellystone.

Verse 1

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 2

There was an old woman who swallowed a spider,

Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 3

There was an old woman who swallowed a bird.

How absurd! to swallow a bird.

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider

Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 4

There was an old woman who swallowed a cat.

Imagine that! to swallow a cat.

She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider

Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 5

There was an old woman who swallowed a dog.

What a hog! to swallow a dog.

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.

She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider

Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 6

There was an old woman who swallowed a goat.

Straight down her throat! to swallow a goat.

She swallowed a goat to catch the dog.

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.

She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider

Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 7

There was an old woman who swallowed a cow.

I don’t know how she swallowed a cow.

She swallowed a cow to catch the goat.

She swallowed a goat to catch the dog.

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.

She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider

Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

I don’t know why she swallowed that fly.

Perhaps she’ll die.

Verse 8

There was an old woman who swallowed a horse.

She’s dead of course.

Calming songs

London's burning, London's burning.

Fetch the engines, Fetch the engines.

Fire fire, Fire fire!

Pour on water, Pour on water.

London's burning, London's burning.

Fetch the engines, Fetch the engines.

Fire fire, Fire fire!

Pour on water, Pour on water.

London's burning, London's burning.

Fetch the engines, Fetch the engines.

Fire fire, Fire fire!

Pour on water, Pour on water.

Verse 1

Five little ducks

Went out one day,

Over the hill and far away.

Mother duck said,

‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’

But only four little ducks came back.

Verse 2

Four little ducks

Went out one day,

Over the hill and far away.

Mother duck said,

‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’

But only three little ducks came back.

Verse 3

Three little ducks

Went out one day,

Over the hill and far away.

Mother duck said,

‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’

But only two little ducks came back.

Verse 4

Two little ducks

Went out one day,

Over the hill and far away.

Mother duck said,

‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’

But only one little duck came back.

Verse 5

One little duck

Went out one day,

Over the hill and far away.

Mother duck said,

‘Quack, quack, quack, quack.’

But none of the five little ducks came back.

Verse 6

Sad mother duck

Went out one day,

Over the hill and far away.

The sad mother duck said,

‘Quack, quack, quack.’

And all of the five little ducks came back.

Verse 1

Five little speckled frogs,

Sitting on a speckled log,

Eating the most delicious bugs,

Yum-yum!

One jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool.

Now there are four speckled frogs.

Verse 2

Four little speckled frogs,

Sitting on a speckled log,

Eating the most delicious bugs,

Yum-yum!

One jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool.

Now there are three speckled frogs.

Verse 3

Three little speckled frogs,

Sitting on a speckled log,

Eating the most delicious bugs,

Yum-yum!

One jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool.

Now there are two speckled frogs.

Verse 4

Two little speckled frogs,

Sitting on a speckled log,

Eating the most delicious bugs,

Yum-yum!

One jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool.

Now there is one speckled frog.

Verse 5

One little speckled frog,

Sitting on a speckled log,

Eating the most delicious bugs,

Yum-yum!

It jumped into the pool,

Where it was nice and cool.

Now there are no speckled frogs,

Sitting on a speckled log.

Closing and goodbye songs

Verse 1

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

Chorus

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Verse 2

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!

And surely I’ll buy mine!

And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Verse 3

We two have run about the slopes,

And picked the daisies fine;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,

Since auld lang syne.

Verse 4

We two have paddled in the stream,

From morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared

Since auld lang syne.

Verse 5

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!

And give me a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

For auld lang syne.

Verse 1

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.

All is well, safely rest, friends goodbye.

Verse 2

Fading light, dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Verse 3

Thanks and praise, for our days,

'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky.’

As we go, this we know, evening’s nigh.

Verse 4

Sun has set, shadows come,

Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds,

Always true to the promise that they made.

Verse 5

Fading light dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky gleaming bright.

From afar drawing nigh, falls the night.

I've got something in my pocket, it belongs across my face.

I keep it very close at hand, in a most convenient place.

I'm sure you couldn't guess it, if you guessed a long, long while.

So I'll take it out and put it on, it's a great big smile!

Verse 1

Go well and safely,

Memories be ever with you.

Verse 2

Stay well and safely,

Friends be ever with you.

You can change the audience as you dismiss different groups from the campfire.

Goodnight Beavers*, goodnight Beavers.

Goodnight Beavers, it’s time for you to go.

Sadly it’s time to part, time to part, time to part,

Sadly it’s time to part, and to say goodnight.

Verse 1

Say when, will we ever meet again,

Say when my friend, say when.

Verse 2

Say where, and I’ll meet you right there,

Say where my friend say where.

Verse 3

Say why do we have to say goodbye,

Say why my friend say why.

Verse 4

Say when will ever meet again,

Say where and I’ll meet you right there,

Say why do we have to say goodbye,

Say when, say where, say why.

Discover some tasty campfire recipes

Try these tasty recipes for cooking on a campfire in the great outdoors.

Discover the recipes >

Try our campfire activities

From learning how to construct a fire to finding out about CO, discover our activities all about campfires.

Check out the activities >

Outdoors in 24

Discover all our resources to get you Outdoors in 2024.

Find out about Outdoor in 24 >

Staying safe

From risk assessments to camping in cold weather, take a look at our guidance to keep you safe in Scouts.

Discover our safety guidance >

Get ready for a camp or a sleepover with Nights Away

Take a look at our Nights Away Permit Scheme, as well as all the information you need to run a great camp or sleepover.

Find out more about Nights Away >

Make a fire free campfire

Discover how to create an indoor campfire, using tissue paper and fairy lights, to bring the fun inside.

Find out about fire-free campfires

Campfire safety guidance

Like any other activity, campfires don’t just ‘happen’ – they take planning and preparation. Before starting singing, think about everyone’s safety and comfort around the campfire.

Remember, all activities must be safely managed. You must have permission to use the location.
You must complete a risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. You should use the safety checklist to help you to plan and risk assess your activity.
Remember to always get approval for the activity and permission to use the location. You should have suitable adult supervision in place, as well as an InTouch process.
Before running a campfire, always remember to check the weather forecast.
Inform parents and carers of any change in venue.
Ask people to bring any clothing or items to keep warm that they don't mind smelling of campfire smoke, such as coats or hats.

A campfire leader is a dedicated person to running the activities, entertainment or songs around the campfire.
A campfire leader must be able to keep everyone engaged and entertained, while staying on top of things and exercising control.
Remember to leave a space for the person leading the entertainment to safely stand and move around as necessary.

Always supervise young people around the fire. There should be at least one adult or Young Leader with each group.
Always have a mix of adults and young people seated together
Always make sure there’s a responsible adult to manage the fire. This should be separate to people who are supervising young people or leading the campfire activities.
You must consider the most appropriate size of group in relation to the fire in use.
You can restrict access to the fire by using a defined area.
Responsible adults should oversee setting up any equipment used for the activity and moving it to where it’s needed, especially on uneven ground outdoors.

Everyone should follow the Section or Group code of conduct that sets clear expectations of behaviour.
Remember to brief young people on the safe use of their individual responsibility to behave safely around fires, including on the possible dangers of firelighting, never reaching over fires or flames, how to approach fire safely, not to wave sticks around and to give each other space, taking turns if necessary. You may want to show how to safely use equipment before young people use them.
Explain the rules for firelighting including: no picking up burning wood, no throwing objects onto the fire, hold wood by one end and lower it onto the fire with your fingers near the ground.
No-one sitting around the fire should throw anything into the flames – tell the groups this when you arrive. Never add other items to the fire, such as rubbish.
In the event that someone starts to misbehave, the campfire leader should be ready to act. They should tell the individual to stop or ask another adult to tell them to stop. It may be necessary to stop any songs or activities.
Remind everyone that they should be quiet if the campfire leader is explaining songs or actions.
Campfires should be fun for everyone. Having fun at someone else’s expense might mean that one person doesn’t enjoy the experience as much as another, so check over the planned songs, sketches or stunts beforehand, to check that everyone gets the joke and no-one is offended.

Planning ahead is important to make sure that there’s enough wood collected, including kindling, and that it’s kept dry so that it’ll light easily.
Remind everyone to take care when collecting, cutting or snapping wood.
Participants should wear appropriate gloves and care must be taken when standing on wood, so strong foot wear must be worn.
Only use natural wood for cooking. Avoid treated wood, such as some pallets or old fencing and furniture.
Remember to check the wood from the wood pile before the meeting and decide whether it’s suitable, as well as checking for animal nests.
Remember, no-one should carry larger or awkward items on their own, where possible.

Keep any woodpiles a safe distance from the fire to avoid tripping on it and falling into the fire.
Young people supervised around wood piles and instructed not to climb over them.

To start a fire only use kindling or bought fire lighters.
Never use accelerants on the fire (any substance or mixture that accelerates or speeds the development and escalation of fire) – such as petrol, lighter fuel and other spirits.
A different responsible adult to the one leading the campfire should build and restock the fire. There should be a bucket of water and a spade handy at all times, for emergencies.

Appropriate footwear and clothing to be worn around fires. People should avoid loose clothing, so tuck in Scout neckers and watch out for open coats, sleeves and scarves.
Everyone should tie back loose hair and wear closed toe shoes.
Remember to never reach over fires or flames.

Make sure there is an appropriate first aid kit available, including for burns, and that adult volunteer training is up-to-date.
Remember to never reach over fires or flames.

Everyone should think about location of their fire. It shouldn’t be near tents or directly under low trees that could be damaged. There should not be excess dry undergrowth or debris around it
Fires to be located on specified surface, such as on a designated campfire circle. They could also be well off the ground on a stable platform, such as an altar fire on designated ground slab.
Never have a fire located over damageable surfaces, such as tarmac or grass.
The size of the fire must reflect the location. Fires should not be allowed to get too big for the situation. You should think about space, surrounding objects (such as fences, overhead trees and wires, and buildings), the number of people and the time it will need to be safely extinguished.
The wind direction needs to be considered and allowed for.
Responsible adults should supervise young people, and remind them to remove themselves from the smoke if wind direction changes.

Make sure you have all the ingredients ready. Remember to check your ingredients against any allergy or dietary requirements to ensure everyone can enjoy the recipe. This may mean using alternative ingredients.
Wash hands regularly at the start and throughout this activity.
Follow our food preparation guidelines to avoid the cross contamination of different, or raw and cooked, foods.
Care should be taken to make sure equipment has fully cooled before moving it at the end of the session.
Young people should be briefed and reminded on safety around hot food, including not to touch it and allow it to cool before eating.
Use thick, heat-resistant gloves, where appropriate, and never reach over fires or flames.

Fires never to be left unattended and must always be supervised by a responsible adult.
After they’ve been used, fires need to be left in a safe manner, doused with water to prevent stray sparks.

Consider where everyone is sitting or standing in relation to the fire, including the song leader. Make sure to keep a safe distance, especially during action songs. You may wish to sit in a horseshoe, rather than a circle.
Presentations or investitures during campfires can be very special. Always make sure you have enough space by the fire to do this safely. Seat those taking part close to the front to avoid having to clamber through the circle.
Think about everyone’s safety and comfort around the campfire. Around the fire, you should have a mix of adults and young people seated together, so that there’s a responsible person to manage the blaze.
Seating should be dry and stable. If possible use chairs, logs, blankets or groundsheets if the ground is wet.
Leave a space for the person leading the entertainment to safely stand and move around as necessary.

Make sure fire fighting equipment is available and make sure that cold water is available nearby. There should be at least a bucket of water, although running water is best if possible. Other options include appropriate fire extinguishers, fire buckets, spades, and beaters.
Care should be taken to make sure equipment has fully cooled before moving it at the end of the session.
When cooled, you could collect the cool ashes of the previous night’s campfire and save them to add, symbolically, to the start of your next fire. You’ll be taking with you the fun and friendship of each fire, and the people you met and sang with. Perhaps you can save ashes from one year’s camp to put on the following year’s one.