In the U.S., summer camp has been a summertime event for over ten million kids for the last 150 years. It can be a very fun experience, and can help you meet new people you may never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Camp is also a great way to try out things you wouldn’t normally be able to try, appreciate all the wonderful things nature has to offer, learn new and valuable skills, and get started in a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, camp is about having fun! There are many different kinds of camps that you can enjoy depending on your interests. First, there is always the traditional camp. These are usually outdoors and involve games and activities that help you learn about nature. There are also “trade” camps. These are camps that focus on what you want to be when you grow up. Some examples are Space Camp and Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. Whatever camp you choose, here are some songs and stories you can use to entertain and have fun with your campmates.
Ron Smith’s Camp Songs With Chords
This guide gives the guitar chords for many popular camp songs and can be organized by title, category, key and difficulty. This includes religious songs as well.
How to Write a Campfire Story (PDF)
If you have ever wanted to write your own campfire story, these tips and tricks will help you to get started.
The Crow Brings Daylight (PDF)
This Inuit story tells of how Crow, with the help of a young child, brings daylight to the people of his village.
How Dogs Came To The Native Americans
An old Ojibwa story that tells of a giant who sent Dog to protect the people from an evil Windigo spirit that threatened two lost hunters.
A collection of some of the most popular American campfire folk songs from throughout history is provided on this link.
This anthology contains several versions of the “Tortoise and the Hare”, as well as similar stories such as “The Fox and the Snail”.
“The Starfish Story” is a well-known story about an old man determined to save the starfish along a beach. This story is very popular and ends with a good moral.
The Buffalo and the Field Mouse
This is the story of a small field mouse who was too boastful for his own good. It comes from an old Native American tale.
The Legend of the Brown Mountain Lights
Two different legends of why lights are seen above Brown Mountain are included on the above link.
Several translated versions of Grimm’s fairy tales are provided here. Most are very short and able to be easily retold around a fire.
A collection of chants, songs, stories, and jokes created for scout camp outs, but able to be adapted by anyone is provided on the link above!
Techniques for Story Telling (PDF)
Provided here information on how to tell a great story at camp, including 25 stories to get you started!
The above link includes a list of skits that can be performed, as well as funny stories and stories with a moral ending.
Girl Scout Songs (PDF)
The page provided includes a collection of fun, Girl Scout themed songs for camp.
Bazooka Bubblegum Song (PDF)
The Bazooka Bubblegum song is meant to be sung in a round, but can also be sung using clapping.
This collection features easy to remember, funny songs for all ages.
A few different versions of the popular song “The Cat Came Back” are included on this page.