Campfire Games
Camp fires are a big social and bonding occasion, so having
campfire games is a 'natural' but only with very strict safety
guidelines.
What you do depends very much on the ages of the kids, and the
mixture of ages and gender. But any campfire games you can come
up with before the fire is lit will be safer than those once
the flames are a-lickin'.
We all know playing with fire is dangerous, but so is playing
anywhere near a fire. People can slip and fall in or on the
fire and get terribly burned, or they can be excited and
inattentive and knock things over.
So keep anyone from running anywhere within about 10 feet (3m)
of the fire. Appoint some helpers if necessary, because kids
get boisterous when they're having a good time.
Rather than having all the children running around, I suggest
you keep them all sitting quietly... but do get two or three up
at a time to take part in a game or a trick that the rest of
your group will enjoy watching.
One of the time-tested favorite campfire games with teenaged
or older boys is to persuade some volunteer to balance a coin
on his forehead. (This is a ploy to make sure he cannot look
down and see what you are about to do to him.)
You then produce a large funnel and push it down the front of
his pants. Tell him he has to nod his head up and down so the
coin on his forhead will drop into the funnel.
Let him have a 'dry run' first, if you like. Then, when he's
concentrating on the coin and can't look down, you pick up a
jug of water you have stashed near by, and you pour it into
that funnel.
A scream of shock from the hapless victim, and hoots of
laughter from the others. But don't do it to someone who is too
young or shy because it is a bit cruel. Only pick someone who
is mature enough to take it in good spirits.
Do have a towel and a change of clothes ready for the
victim. Everyone else should clap and cheer the victim for
having being such a good sport.
Be selective... If you pick the wrong person, he might just
flatten you!
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