Campfire Program: Florida Songs and Stories

Remember that trip to a state or national park where the ranger sang songs and told stories around thecampfire? It was always the high point of my stop at a park, as we checked into the campground I would ask, “What is the program tonight?”

Over the years, I learned so much from the programs... stories of wildlife, safety tips, star gazing and constellations, geology, songs, and so much more. When we were invited to give the April 19^th program at Stephen Foster Cultural Center State Park I jumped at the chance. Bill and I collect and write songs and stories of Florida, this was perfect.

The rain set in on Thursday and did not let up despite the weatherman's prediction of “Sun on Saturday”. By Saturday noon you needed mud boots to negotiate the campfire area and the drizzle continued, Mother Nature did not read the prediction! Not to worry, we have a plan, move the program indoors to NellyBly's Kitchen. The room is perfect and even has a fireplace! We learned the fireplace is not fire ready but who cares it is still a good prop.

And the campers sang along to many songs
Photo by Brandon

We had a full house of friendly, happy, and inquisitive people despite the rain. As the guests drifted in we had the opportunity to chat and learn about their travels and residences. Many campers from Florida and came for the Easter weekend. The remainder were snowbirds winging their way home to a hopefully sunny environment.

Most of the songs had a repeatable chorus and this group loved to sing. Little did we know when we asked them to sing on the first song and went through the chorus a few times. Well, everyone was smiling and singing along to “MyFlorida Home”, a song by Robin Plitt. To be fair this is a great song with meaningful lyrics and an easy to learn chorus. 

The next song, written by me, had a tongue twisting name (Ivy Julia Cromartie Stranahan) in the chorus but that didn't stop anyone.  The video follows.

 And so the evening went. Folks laughed at our stories, shared their experiences, nodded in agreement, and continued to sing along. 

Marg relating stories about Gopher Stew
Great photo effects by Brandon

Before we knew it the hour was over and everyone had made a new friend. And, that is how I remember campfireprograms.

Bill leading us in This Land (Florida Version)
Brandon using Special Effects on the photo

Thank you to the rangers for trusting us with their Saturday campfire program and to Brendan, volunteer and ranger's son, for using my phone to take pictures. In one hour he learned more about the camera than I have in the past three months!   

NOTE:  When ready, I will add a video of This Land (Florida Version) so you can hear the audience singing along.