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Boy Scout Songs 

 

One of the keys to a good campfire sing along is to have a leader who isn't afraid to be a little bit silly. Sing some silly songs. Oftentimes, as boys grow through adolescence, they can be self conscious about things such as singing. This is especially true if they are trying to have that "tough guy" image.

The best way to start singing camping songs with scouts is to just jump in and do it before they have time to think about it. Most groups of scouts will have one or two boys who aren't self-conscious about their singing voice, and will just start into singing with you. Once you get two or three going, eventually, most of them will sing.

If you have one or two that just refuse to sing, don't make a big deal about it. Just enjoy yourself and let those that are singing have fun. The ones that aren't singing may join in later, but sometimes kids (and adults) just want to listen. For them, that may be the best experience they can have at a campfire.

Some of my favorite boy scout songs include the following:

• Clementine:
  Most boys know this already. One of the keys to getting them to sing is to do familiar and easy songs. If you have to hand out music to them, it should be done after you already know that they will sing; maybe after the second or third night of singing.
  
  
• I've Been Working on the Railroad:
  Again, this is another familiar song
  
  
• Chumbara:
  I include this for just about every age and group. It's easy to learn; just one word. It's easy to make up new verses. Anything with 3 syllables. You can use names like E-mi-ly or Bob-by-Jones. You can use food like spa-ghet-ti or blue-ber-ry. You can use places like Del-a-ware or Camp-Brad-ley. You don't have to stick to 3 syllable songs; try some 1, 2 or 4 or even more and see what happens!
  
  
• My Bonnie:
  This is a fun one to keep them moving. Every time you sing the letter "b" you alternate between standing up and sitting down.
  
  
• Taps:
  If this song is sung with reverence, it can be a very effective way to end a campfire. To make it even more effective, ask a boy or leader who plays the trumpet to play taps while the others sing it. If there are no trumpet players, you could ask someone to do it with another instrument.
  
  
• Home On the Range; On Top of Old Smoky; O, Susannah; and many more are great for boy scouts.

When I put together The Great American Campfire Songbook, I did it with scouts in mind. I don't think there is a song in the whole book that would be inappropriate for boy scouts, girl scouts or cub scouts. I have been involved in scouting since I was a kid. I am proud to say I am an Eagle Scout. I have served as a scoutmaster and assistant varsity scout coach. I am currently the unit commissioner for our unit.

I am also a music teacher by profession, so the combination of scouting and music is a natural fit for me. But don't feel like you have to be some kind of great musician to teach scout songs. Teaching songs to kids is 95% enthusiasm and 5% knowledge, and you can fake it, if your knowledge is minimal. I have seen people with absolutely no musical knowledge lead hundreds of people in campfire singing. How do they do it? They love what they are doing, and it shows through their enthusiasm.

Be sure to take a look at The Great American Campfire Songbook. It's a great resource; filled with over 80 of the best, most requested camping songs.

Good luck in your campfire singing! Most important of all; have fun!