Camp Chants, Cheers & Songs

On a typical day at camp chants ring through the dining hall, cheers sail across the field, and songs embrace the campfire. Music-making—in almost every form—is part of what makes camp so awesome. And we’re better for it!

The YES! Cheer

Fred the Moose

A summer camp classic, this traditional song is led at camps all over the globe! Frequently sung at campfires, in-between activities, or before a meal, Fred the Moose has made his way into thousands of campers’ hearts. 

This is a repeat-after-me song.

There was a great big moose
He liked to drink a lot of juice
There was a great big moose
And he drank a lot of juice

Chorus:
Singing oh way oh!
Way oh, way oh, way oh, way oh
WAAYYY oh, way oh!
Way oh, way oh, way oh, way oh

The moose's name was Fred
He liked to drink his juice in bed
The moose's name was Fred
And he drank his juice in bed

Chorus

He liked to drink his juice with care
But he spilled it in his hair
He drank his juice with care
But he spilled it EVERYWHERE

Chorus

Now there's a sticky moose
All covered in juice
On the LOOOOOSE

Ice Cream and Cake

Campers at many SeriousFun camps and programs throw their hands in the air to this Buckwheat Boyz song after dinner—just like these counselors at Barretstown, the SeriousFun camp in Ireland! Short and sweet, it’s not uncommon to see it requested three, four, or five times in a row.

Ice cream & cake & cake
Ice cream & cake & cake
Ice cream & cake & cake
Ice cream & cake & cake

Chorus:
Ice cream & cake
Do the ice cream & cake
Ice cream & cake
Do the ice cream & cake
Ice cream & cake
Do the ice cream & cake
Ice cream & cake
Do the ice cream & cake

Now slip slip slip slide
Slip slip slip & slide
Slip slip slip & slide
Stop hold up tag team

Ride with ya boy now slip & slide
Ride with ya boy now slip & slide
Ride with ya boy now slip & slide
Pause step up ice cream & cake

Chorus

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Camp Counselor

Part song, part skit, part chant—this is one of our favorite additions to a campfire. Counselors line up in front of the group to share where they might have worked if they hadn’t gone to camp. Amp up the acting to give your audience a good, hearty laugh.

I love being a camp counselor
There’s nothing I’d rather be
If I weren’t a camp counselor
A(n) _________ I would be
And as you pass me by
This is what you’d hear me cry…

Bird Watcher…Hark! A lark! Flying through the park! Splat!
Camper…What time is it? What’s next, what’s next? Oh, I have to pee!
Carpenter…Two by four! Quick, nail it to the floor! Wham!
Cowboy…Rope that steer! Look ahead! Watch out where you step! Yuck!
Electrician…Red! Black! Gently now! Zap zap zap!
Farmer…Give, Bessie, give! My baby’s gotta live! Phew!
Football Player…Set! Hut! Kick ‘em in the butt! Argh!
Plumber…Plunge it! Flush it! Look out below! Hi-ho!
Scientist…Acid! Base! Blow up in your face! Ow!

We love being camp counselors,
There’s nothing we’d rather be!
Since we are camp counselors,
We’re as happy as can be!

Peel Banana

As North Star Reach, the SeriousFun camp in Michigan, puts it, this one is more of a shout-a-long. And that’s why we love it. It makes the perfect pre-meal, pre-activity, or post-nap energizer. Try substituting “banana” with other fruits for different renditions.

All bananas unite!
Form banana, form form banana
Peel banana, peel peel banana
Eat banana, eat eat banana
Chew banana, chew chew banana
Swallow banana, swallow swallow banana
GO BANANAS, GO GO BANANAS

Cook the Porridge

 

Just like porridge, this classic repeat-after-me-song is a staple of our Global Partnership Program in Africa. Campers sing this song while waiting for the dining hall to be ready for meals.

This is a repeat-after-me-song

One day, one day
One day, one day
My mama said
[Name]
Cook the porridge!
With your [body part]

Repeat, adding in these body parts with stirring motions:
Right hand
Left hand
Right leg
Left leg
Head
Bottom

Peace Like a River

 

Sung around a campfire, Peace Like a River is one of our favorite slow songs to transition into lights out. Allow this song to get quieter and slower as you move through the verses.

I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul
In my soul

I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul
In my soul

I’ve got love like a mountain
I’ve got love like a mountain
I’ve got love like a mountain in my soul
In my soul

I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve got love like a mountain in my soul
In my soul

We hope you enjoy these camp classics. Until you and camp meet again, keep singing, moving, and grooving your way through life. 

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For more information on SeriousFun Children’s Network, visit www.seriousfunnetwork.org or contact us at info@seriousfunnetwork.org. 

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