Snaps of Camp at badshapur , Gurugram -Haryana.

CAMPFIRE

CAMPFIRE

What is a Campfire?

            It is an atmosphere as much as an occasion. It is generally the last part of the day’s programme in a Camp. It is a special feature of Scouting/Guiding born with Scouting/Guiding. It is Campfire, not Camp on fire.

Importance of Campfire in Scout/Guide Training

• B.P. called the Chapters of “Scouting for boy/girl s as “Campfire Yarns. This shows that the philosophy and techniques of Scouting/Guiding can be taught in Campfires.
• A place of inspiration and understanding each other.
• A brotherhood/sisterhood circles that foster Troop/Company /Group spirit 3^rd point of Scout/Guide Law has its roots here.
• Patrol system works well and leadership qualities develop;
• Boys express themselves very freely in a Campfire and the Scout/Guide can see them in their true Colours.
• A taste for music and art and histrionic talents developed.
• Campfire lets off the steam of boy/girls and fills them with fun, laughter and enjoyment. 
• Best place for the moral and spiritual Part of Scout/Guide Training. 
• It is a ceremony and even Investiture of Patrol Leaders and Seconds and Presentation of other awards and badges can be done during the Campfire to better effects.

Physical Arrangements: -

• The Campfire place must be dry and free from mosquitoes and other insects.
• Notice the prevailing winds-let nobody “gulp” the smoke.
• Have a good supply of wood in the centre of the fire.
• Torch or Mashal is more effective to light fire than a match stick-clear the dry grass in the circle before lighting.
• Good seating arrangements to protect from the ground chill. Stones, not a bad idea-Let not Physical discomfort spoil the spirit of the show.

Design of the Campfire: - 

• Always a Circle – a symbol of oneness and brotherhood/sisterhood– Leaders and Guests will also be on the circumference of the circle. 
• Fire is at the centre. Extra firewood can be well kept around the fire to mark the fire zone. The participants do not enter this.

Laying the Fire: -

            Fires may be laid either on the ground or in a pit. Cone fire is preferred – Log Cabin fire and Pagoda fire can also be used. Star fire is also worth trying. This is prearrangement.

Lighting the Fire and Opening Ceremony: 

1. Appropriate to the occasion.
2. Backwoods methods like – Flint and steel or Bow and drill will be interesting.
3. In huge gatherings-fireballs, fire smokes, other crackers may add to the thrill.
4. After tthe fire is lit (as the ceremony demands) the SM/GC/Chief Guest ceremonially declares the Campfire open.

(a) Camp fire Dress: - 

Boys/Girls like it very much – adds to the fun and jollity-Protects from chill – Bed sheets, Dhuppata can be well improvised. Scouters/Guiders (and Commissioners) can also were the Campfire robes (campfire cape) – The badges they earned previously may also be stitched on the garb. This is a source of pride to the Scouter/Guider and inspiration to Scout/Guides.

(b) The Beginning Part of it: -

The Campfire leader of the Troop/Company will be in charge. He/She assembles the Troop/Company in campfire circle. Patrols take positions – Fire is lit – Troop/Company brought to attention and then S.M./G.C. is reported and requested to open the Campfire – No harm if at times he in turn requests the ASM/AGC to do it – This may add to the healthy spirit of the Troop/Company. Scouter/Guide captain need not run the campfire but he is responsible to control it.

(c) Learning the Campfires: - 

Patrol items always to be preferred. Normally 5 minutes maximum for an item. See that all members of the Patrol are involved. The first song has to make every one participating in both singing and good fellowship. Announce the next item and the item to follow. Encourage participants by cheering them with yells whenever an item is over. Look for originality. A yell of appreciation after every item is meaningless. Change the items to suit to the mood. If necessary be resourceful in creating the new items and keeping the Troop/Company in the mood. Begin with brief, popular items fairly boisterous. Towards the end, the items should be a simple and effective-right place for a short and interesting yarn by SM/GC. Campfire will be enjoyable only when proper order is maintained-on talking during the time of items.

(d) Closing the Campfire: -

Closing time can be little elastic but close it when all feel to go on. Announcements, if any, should be very brief and quick. Closing can also be made ceremonious – serene and serious atmosphere to be created-either Taps or silent prayer will be effective. The Patrol responsible for putting off the fire should be alerted after the dismissal of the Troop/Company.

What items can be presented at a Campfire 

Please remember that a Campfire item does not have to be funny always or to do with Singing only.

Some of the following can be tried: -

1.                  Stories (short but funny)

2.                  Quiet games or singing games.

3.                  Group Singing.

4.                  Group dances

5.                  Folk dances

6.                  Jungle/Tribal dances.

7.                  Devotional or Patriotic Songs.

8.                  Action Songs.

9.                  Bhajans

10.              Comics

11.              Small Playlets

12.              Dialogues

13.              Mimicries

14.              Physical displays

15.              Occasional Foreign Songs

16.              Puppetry.

17.              Classical music

18.              Dumb Shows

19.              Melodies

20.              Yells

21.              Mono actions

22.              Charades

23.              Rounds

24.              Shadow graphs

25.              Midget acts

26.              Scoutcraft skills

27.              Imitations

28.              Quiz.

29.              Book reading

30.              Surprise items.

31.              Instrumental music and so on.

What items to be avoided: -

1.                  Vulgar items

2.                  Religiously objectionable items

3.                  Fearful scenes – like Ghosts etc.

4.                  Mean things and destructive criticisms

5.                  Things like dead bodies and dreadful cries

6.                  Anything belittling any class or creed

7.                  Anything against the Government or law of the Country

8.                  Anything un-scouting and purposeless.

In Rallies and other Functions: -

These can partly be publicity-oriented. Any V.I.P. or Commissioner can be requested to open the Campfire. The opening ceremony should be thrilling – rehearsal essential. Involve audience also. Better to include items of good standard. Take extra care about uniform; cleanliness and orderliness.

Beware of overdoing in the Campfire:

There will always be over-enthusiastic boy/girls who may, at a time just by little act, spoil the sanctity of the campfire. Your individual efficiency will go a long way. When necessary don’t hesitate to use your whistle sharply but sparingly.

Improvisation in Campfires:  

In many of the items like play – acting, Dramatization, Fancy dress etc., improvisation or making up with readily available material in the surrounding may be essential. Here are a few suggestions for improvisation.

1.         Grey hair and moustache           Ashes, paste, paint, cotton, maize, hairs etc.

2.         Face powder                              Ashes

3.         Lipstick etc                               Red ink, flower juice

4.         Musical instruments                   Hand-sticks, plates, mugs tumblers, empty tins etc.

5.         Long teeth                                Pieces of cardboard and palm leaves.

6.         Garlands                                   Scout ropes, paper balls etc.

7.         Curtains etc.                             Duppatties and bed sheets

8.         Crown etc.                               Green leaves, flowers etc.

Strictly speaking, make-up like the professionals when acting on stages with cakes etc. is not required in campfire. boy/girl s should be inquisitive and imaginative.

PHOTOS

SErvice is our motto as A ROVER

Me in Office

Inspection time

HORSE SHOE Formation

Khemraj Gurung(raja), Me and My Scouts

Group photo after the Rajya Puraskar Testing Camp

Me and Guides of Papumpare Distt. Arunachal pradesh

Me along with SBP Singh DOC(s) Papumpare, Arunachal Pradesh and my Scouts of SHIVAJI GROUP

Jaime Mauheniya and me.

during Camp at Badsapur , gurgaon Haryana,India

 me and my Scout friend

A FEW HINTS ON
HOW TO TAKE A SESSION ON B.P.EXERCIES

1.         First of all, say a few words about 6 exercises suggested by B.P. while doing so include the following points also:

a)         They cover all parts of body

b)         They are very slow moving exercises (as slow as possible) synchronizing with deep breathing.

c)         It is a continuous process of inhaling and exhaling with a short pause in between.

d)         Do the exercise taking individuals own time (and not like mass P.L)

2.         Sequence of Instruction for each exercise:

a)         Give a pukka demonstration of exercise using proper word of commands without any explanation (vide item 3 below)

b)         Explain:

(i)         About the position of leg, hand and body

(ii)        For which part of the body the exercise is meant and it’s meaning as given in Scouting for Boys.

c)         Demonstration with explanation

d)         Clear doubts, if any.

e)         Ask the "Course " to do it as suggested in 1(b), (e) & (d)

f)         Give corrections (The instructor should not do the exercise along with the participants) and remind participants to do as slowly as possible taking their own time.

3          Word of commands for demonstration:

English                                                           

a)         Commands is for me

b)         Attention

c)         (E.g.) No. 2 exercise position ready

d)         Exercise begin

e)         Course-halt (comes to original position i.e. as in 3  above)

f)         Course rest

4.        While giving commands for the participants to use the words of command 3 (b) to (f). On the word of command 'Course - halt participants may complete the exercise taking their own time. The give the command (course - rest).

NOTE: Please remember that while taking a practical session, especially P.T. and Drill, it is essential that talk should be minimum.

            Before taking session read thoroughly the explanation given by B.P. in Campfire Yarn No. 17 of Scouting for Boys.

            Before starting exercise in a course it is better to warm up by running one or two rounds for one or two minutes and set the course in proper formatting (Half circle, patrol formation, in therefore fours with double arm length in between the two persons) and turn them to half / turn or half right turn, according to convenience.

            For daily exercise,

only about 10 minutes are needed for all the six exercises. It should form part of daily life.

My journey in Scouting

It was the Summer time , I was a Student of Class 6th standard in  Don Bosco High School, in Amguri a small town of Sivasagar District of Assam. 

A group of Scout Master Came from DBYES, Dimapur, Nagaland for conducting a scout camp at our School. I was very new to this movement as the time passed I grew up as an Emerging Scout in my Small Town.

I Still remember when I had attended the first Camporee (24^th to 30^th December’2004) of my life at Don Bosco School Bakchung, jorhat, Assam where more than thousand of Scouts and guides from all over north east india were there to participate the Scouting Activities.  

During the Camporee I experienced so many things which I had never had in my life.

I experienced such activities which is useful in our real life, as we know that each and  every field needs discipline so I think this is the Elevating movement.

After gaining Scouting knowledge from the camporee I went back to my School and Started the Scout activities under the Leadership of Bro. Anoop……………..

I had keen interest in Scouting so every time I asked with my Principal that was there any Camp to attend or not, but I always got the answer which made me like pulling away from the Scouting.

One evening I was roaming near the park of LP School I heard some Boys talking something which I couldn’t hear properly but I heard a word Scout and I was in affix that weather I should ask them which I had hear from there mouth I slowly skip towards them and after a discussion I got a Interested group, I decided to conduct a meeting in next month. It was July 2006 when I meet a Tritiya Sopan Boy scout from Twensung Open Scout group of Twensung district, Nagaland. I invited him in the meeting and after some month we started a Open Scout group namely “Amguri Open Troop” on 6^th October 2006.

After passing matriculation in 2008 my Uncle asked me to come to Arunachal Pradesh for my higher studies where Scouting was in full swing as I was interested in Scouting I asked a Scout of my Senior Secondary School to give me admission in there troop.

 Mr. B. Sharma Scout master of that scout group asked me some question and enrolled  in the troop, after a few months I was promoted as a Troop Leader and was send for attending testing camp for Rajya Puraskar and was awarded in 2009.