Developing a Theme

Decorations

For nametags, go with the graham cracker look to represent a s’more, or use a picture of a log, lantern, or campfire in the center of the name tag. You could use hay bales or logs to decorate the room, keep the lights off (for ambience), and use candles as centerpieces. Set the room up to reflect the seating arrangement of a real campfire—circle with logs in the center—lots of candles or lanterns lit in the center for a fire. (It’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on hand!)

How To Have an Indoor Campfire

Ask attendees to bring a flashlight. At campfire time, all the flashlights are turned on, stacked in something of a pyramid with the lighted end pointing toward the ceiling. Turn off the building lights once everyone is in place sitting on the floor and around the “fire.” If this campfire will have small children attending, it’s a good idea to set a perimeter around the flashlight pile so the campfire director can stroll as he/she story tells, maintaining crowd contact/control, and also to deter those who would be overcome by a desire to touch flashlights or make shadow animals on the ceiling. Other things to consider is optional seating for those who can’t sit on the floor and marked paths in case a need arises to quickly exit the building. If the campfire will last more than 20 minutes, have attendees bring pillows to sit on. (Consider having a controlled pillow fight in the parking lot later on!)

Refreshments

Everything flame-cooked or grilled! Having a variety of shish-kabobs would be fun, especially if you did a shish-kabob contest that emphasized most creative, most colorful, and most tasteful. Campfires aren’t complete without s`more makings and hot drinks. A hotdog roast would be simple but fun. You could bake some “yule cakes” similar to what a log would look like (such as a creatively decorated jelly roll).

Games/Icebreaker

A fun campfire game is “finish the story.” One person begins by saying, “Once upon a time, a bear came into our campsite.” Each person can only say one sentence, but each sentence has to somehow relate to the last sentence spoken. Before long, the story takes some fun twists and turns as each person adds a special touch to the storyline. Another activity that is common with campfire outings involves singing. Bring a guitar or just sing a cappella, but do lots of singing. Doing an animal shadow skit or contest would add a fun twist to the event, too.

Devotional:

• Have a discussion about fire and how fire is like our Christian life. What does a fire require in order to burn? How could we compare the fire’s components to our Christian life?
• What do Christians need to have in order to burn brightly?
• Our tongue is compared to fire. How can fire be destructive or constructive? How can our tongue be destructive or constructive?
• Keep the gospel “burning within you” like Jeremiah, who couldn’t keep silent even when he wanted to.
• Discuss Christ’s example of caring for discouraged disciples by cooking them breakfast over a campfire and challenging them to put in their net again and keep fishing.
• Every campfire needs a testimonial time. Challenge each person to journal some prayers, decisions, and promises.

Keeping a Campfire Spirit All Year

Psalm 25:4-6

We come to the campfire expecting God to speak to us.
We come to the campfire ready to make decisions.
We come to the campfire with a reflective heart.
We come to the campfire with a willingness to change.
We come to the campfire with an excitement for the future God has for us.