Baby Shark: From Campfire Classic to Global Phenomenon
Here’s something that not many people know: Baby Shark started as a Scout campfire so: Baby Shark started as a Scout campfire song.
Yes, really!
While the rest of the world thinks it’s a recent viral sensation thanks to Pinkfong’s addictive video (which racked up 16 billion views and cracked YouTube’s Top 40 most-viewed videos of all time), those of us in the Scouting world have been doing the hand motions around campfires for years.
When Baby Shark entered the UK Official Charts at number 37—sitting right above “This Is Me” by Keala Settle and “I Like It” by Cardi B—my family didn’t believe me when I told them it was an old Scout favourite. But it’s true! The song has been passed down through generations of campfire circles long before the Baby Shark Dance Challenge took over social media.
Thanks to Pinkfong’s Korean-based kids’ channel, the world finally discovered what Scouts already knew: this song is ridiculously catchy, the dance moves are brilliantly simple, and once it’s in your head, it’s never leaving.
But Baby Shark is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to legendary campfire songs. Here are my top 10 favourites that have brought joy, laughter, and plenty of volume to campfires over the years.
My Top 10 Favourite Campfire Songs
1. I Saw a Bird
A classic call-and-response song that gets everyone involved. Simple, repetitive, and perfect for even the youngest Beavers to join in. The actions make it even better—flapping wings, pecking beaks, the whole nine yards.
2. Kumbaya
The ultimate campfire song. Peaceful, contemplative, and surprisingly moving when you’ve got dozens of voices harmonizing under the stars. It’s been sung around campfires for generations, and there’s a reason it’s endured.
3. Little Green Frog
“Gung, gung, went the little green frog one day…” If you know, you know. This one’s all about the sound effects, and kids absolutely love making frog noises at maximum volume. Bonus points if you’re near an actual pond.
4. Singing in the Rain
Everyone knows this one! A cheerful favourite that works whether you’re actually in the rain (even better) or sitting cozy by a fire. The melody is infectious and gets everyone smiling.
5. Quartermaster’s Stores
“My eyes are dim, I cannot see, I have not brought my specs with me…” A marching song that’s perfect for campfire adaptations. Each verse gets more ridiculous, and you can keep adding verses until everyone’s laughing too hard to continue.
6. The Ants Go Marching
One by one, hurrah, hurrah! A counting song that builds energy as it goes. Great for keeping younger kids engaged, and the marching actions help burn off that pre-bedtime energy.
7. Oh You’ll Never Get to Heaven
A brilliantly silly song with endless verses about transportation methods that won’t get you to heaven. “Oh, you’ll never get to heaven in a baked bean tin, ’cause a baked bean tin’s got baked beans in!” The more creative the verses, the better.
8. The Pirate Song
The rhythm, the actions, the general silliness—it’s campfire gold, especially for Cubs and Beavers.
9. Pop See Ko
A Japanese-inspired action song that’s all about rhythm and coordination. The movements get faster and faster until everyone’s a giggling mess trying to keep up.
10. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Based on the classic children’s book by Michael Rosen, this interactive song has everyone acting out the journey—swishing through grass, splashing through rivers, and tiptoeing through caves. The dramatic “WE’RE NOT SCARED!” declaration before running back through everything at double speed never gets old.
Over to You!
These are just my favourites, but every Scout Leader, parent, and Scouter has their own treasured campfire classics. Some love “Boom Chicka Boom,” others swear by “Princess Pat,” and there’s always someone ready to start “The Moose Song” (you know the one).
What’s your favourite campfire song? Drop it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what songs have soundtracked your camping memories!
1 Comment
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