{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Lauren Woodley, Creative Copywriter","standfirst":"It\u2019s Halloween, so we\u2019re looking at the classic campfire art of telling spooky stories. Stay until the end to read our very own tale about a haunted Scouts campfire\u2026","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/gvfik3ep/top-graphic-halloween-blog-speech-bubbles-coloured-01.png","width":4500,"height":1344,"altText":"The image shows three graphics. The left one is a red speech bubble with a white spider\u0027s web in the middle, the middle one is a green rectangular shaped speech bubble with a white ghost inside. Then the right speech bubble is square and orange, with a white skull and bones in the middle.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s that time of year again \u2013 the evenings are darker, there\u2019s a chill in the air, and the glow of orange pumpkins line the streets.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are lots of ways you can celebrate Halloween at Scouts. You could create your own tasty treats, go apple bobbing, or play some music and do the monster mash.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut, one of our favourite Halloween traditions is telling a good old-fashioned spooky story.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Where?\u2019 you might ask. Well, there\u2019s no better place to tell a spooky tale than around a campfire, with yummy s\u2019mores in hand.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EA timeless tradition\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENaturally, Halloween is the perfect time for ghost stories. But, why are we drawn to telling spooky tales around a campfire? You may be surprised that telling ghost stories around a fire was once a Christmas tradition.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the 1800s, spooky stories around a fire helped distract from cold and long winter nights. Storytelling gave people something to do during the dark evenings before electricity, as everyone huddled around the fire.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EVictorian authors, such as Elizabeth Gaskell, Margaret Oliphant and Arthur Conan Doyle, delivered some of the classic original spooky stories. But there was one author who helped build excitement around ghost stories more than anyone - Charles Dickens.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDickens wrote many different Christmas stories, some which involved ghosts. His most famous, A Christmas Carol, was written in 1843 and tells the tale of grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge who\u2019s visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENow, the tradition\u2019s moved to Halloween, and we\u2019re still just as keen on giving each other goosebumps. The horror genre has grown in popularity - the fear of the unknown, supernatural and scary suspense just as thrilling today as it was back then. And, what day better sums up that feeling than 31 October?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo, by lighting a campfire on Halloween night, you\u2019ve got the perfect atmosphere for a spooky story or two.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe decision of whether a Scouts section should run a Halloween-themed meeting is left to local volunteers to decide.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe understand Halloween can raise issues for some young people, however we also recognise it\u0027s a tradition which many young people are used to celebrating. So, we trust our local volunteers to judge what\u2019s most suitable for the young people in their groups.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"Decide what\u0027s best for you","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/genfyxi5/mid-graphic-halloween-blog-speech-bubbles-coloured-03.png","width":4500,"height":1344,"altText":"The image shows three graphics. The left one is an orange square speech bubble with a white pumpkin in the middle, the middle graphic is a circle speech bubble with a white leaf in the middle, and the right graphic shows a rectangular purple speech bubble with a white cat with scary eyes and its back arched.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EMake up your own spooky story\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe great thing about telling your own spooky story around the campfire is that you can make it up as you go! There\u2019s no rulebook. You can improvise, make it as interactive as you like and use your imagination.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBoth adults and young people can have a go at this. Why not test your imagination and storytelling skills this Halloween by coming up with your very own spooky stories?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo get you started, we\u2019ve come up with a few hints and tricks (or treats?), to help you tell the perfect story:\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf everyone\u2019s comfortable, make sure it\u0027s dark. People could bring torches with them.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Set the scene"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EUse a range of voices, movements, or actions. You could do a hushed, eerie whisper, or use a thunderous boom to engage listeners. It\u2019ll keep them on the edge of their seats.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Dramatise the story"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDon\u2019t rush your story. You could try pausing, or purposefully gasping, to create a tense atmosphere.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Get your timings right"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGet your group involved. They could make sound effects, pass around objects to feel, or make certain actions when they hear different words.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Make it interactive"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAim your story at the right age group. If you\u2019re telling a spooky story to Squirrels or Beavers, make it very lighthearted, so they don\u2019t get too frightened.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Keep it appropriate"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBefore your session, let parents and carers know you\u2019re planning on telling spooky stories. You might want to send the stories in advance for people to read beforehand or let people know the themes of the stories.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Be prepared"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EArrange an alternative activity for people who don\u2019t want to tell spooky stories. You could also give people an easy signal to make if they\u2019re starting to feel uncomfortable or scared.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Know that some people may not want to take part"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESome people may fear being close to fire and that\u2019s OK. They might not like the smell, the smoke or the noise. If you do choose a real fire, keep everyone a safe distance away from the campfire and remind them of the things you\u2019re doing to keep them safe. People may choose to wear ear defenders while near the campfire and that\u2019s OK.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Choose an indoor, fire free campfire"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ENow it\u2019s time for our own Scouts spooky story\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor some great inspiration, we\u2019ve come up with a seriously spooky tale, which might just kickstart some ideas for your next campfire. Remember to check out \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/\u0022 title=\u0022Activities\u0022\u003Eour Activity finder\u003C/a\u003E for lots more spooky suggestions.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom this point, we\u2019d advise only reading on if you\u0027re Cubs age or above.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Beware...","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EThe Mystery of the Halloween Campfire, by Chris James\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENot many have heard the story of 7th Hillsdon Scouts\u2019 Halloween campfire. And for good reason. Only one Scout was brave enough to tell the tale.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Scout leaders had planned to hold a campfire to celebrate Halloween. There\u2019d be soup, s\u2019mores and singing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt all started so cheerfully. That night, the Scouts met at their usual meeting place on the edge of the woods. But they noticed it was a little cold. A thick mist had settled over the campfire circle.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018No worries,\u2019 they thought, \u2018we\u2019ll just wear our camp blankets to keep the chill off.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Scouts went into the woods, breaking and snapping branches off the trees to collect kindling and fuel for their fire. But as they did so, hey had a strange feeling that someone \u2013 or something \u2013 was watching them. Some said they heard strange creaking coming from the woods \u2013 even whispered words they couldn\u2019t quite make out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Scout leaders told them it must be just the wind in the trees. They quickly finished collecting the wood and started building their campfire. Again, they heard strange sounds \u2013 including cries that seemed to come from the wood itself. They carefully checked the pile of branches again to make sure no small creature \u2013 a hedgehog or mouse had crept in. Once they were sure it was all clear, they lit the fire and soon it was blazing brightly.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, as they began singing and laughing, it seemed other voices were joining in. They were ghostly voices. The Scouts looked around, but there wasn\u2019t a thing to be seen.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Look!\u2019 cried one of the Scouts suddenly. The smoke from the fire had \u00A0risen thickly above them, twisting into the shape of a giant oak tree. They saw a furious face in the trunk, which seemed to be calling to them. There was a deafening cry. Just as soon as it had appeared, the vision vanished into the night sky.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018It\u2019s just your imagination,\u2019 the Scout leaders laughed nervously. They began singing again, but by now, their hearts weren\u2019t in it. Something felt wrong. It grew colder still, and the wind howled around them, whipping up the fire. Huge shadows seemed to loom over them, getting closer all the time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESuddenly, the fire went out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWith a single loud hiss, the Scouts were plunged into darkness.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Scouts screamed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn an instant, the fog lifted. A single Scout found themselves sitting alone in the campfire circle.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEvery other Scout had disappeared.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the gloom, the Scout looked around.\u00A0She dared not breathe.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn the grass in front of her, were letters made from broken branches. They read: \u2018LEAVE US BE.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThen came a wild rustling sound from the wood. Suddenly, the noise died to nothing. Then, a voice hissed: \u2018You\u2019re next!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2026\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe low autumn sun rose over the camp the following morning. The missing Scouts awoke in the wood with no memory of the campfire or what\u2019d happened. Luckily, no one was harmed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut, there\u2019s a lesson here for all Scouts \u2013 never use living wood for your campfire and always leave nature as you found it\u2026 or else!\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/dwjlk2vm/end-graphic-halloween-blog-speech-bubbles-coloured-04.png","width":4500,"height":1344,"altText":"The image shows three graphics. The left one is a green rectangle speech bubble with a white ghost in the middle, the middle speech bubble is circle with a white bat hanging upside down in the middle, and the speech bubble on the right is a navy circle speech bubble with a carved white pumpkin in the middle.","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"31 October 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Fearlessly fun Halloween activities","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=halloween","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":77413,"nodeName":"Superbly spooky storytelling at Scouts","title":"Superbly spooky storytelling at Scouts","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/ddsfdidy/marshmallows-being-toasted-on-a-fire.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf23a07bf8d70","caption":"Marshmallows Being Toasted On A Fire","type":"jpg","size":10276250,"width":6827,"height":4551,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Superbly spooky storytelling at Scouts","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"This Halloween, we\u0027re creeping into the spooky art of storytelling. Are you brave enough to read our tale about a haunted Scouts campfire?","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83NzQxMyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/october/superbly-spooky-storytelling-at-scouts/"}