Leading Campfire at Summer Camp

One Duck is a classic repeating chant that is a big hit because it takes several times through it (at successive campfires or sing-songs) to memorize the higher numbers.

I think it is important for camp directors to have a “signature” campfire piece. Something that isn’t performed everyday and that you become known for performing. If you can develop your own unique style for this piece, eventually it will become “yours”.

To teach this chant always have a couple of accomplices in the crowd so that they will automatically repeat what you do and there won’t be a need for an introduction.

**Please note: I withdraw my sharing of this AMAZING chant that kids and staff alike will love if you ever begin it with “This Is A Repeating Song”. Seriously.

Thanks to my director when I was counselling at Camp Kintail – Scott Sinclair – for teaching it to us. It is one of my favourites to lead.

(Another trick from Scott – rewrite #10 to make reference to a local landmark to make it your own.)

Delivery: On your feet, full of energy. When it is your turn for the next line always start with One Duck and repeat everything that you have covered so far before adding on the next number.

• One Duck
• One Duck, Two Hens,
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises, Five Limerick Oysters
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises, Five Limerick Oysters, Six Pairs of Don Alverso’s Tweezers
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises, Five Limerick Oysters, Six Pairs of Don Alverso’s Tweezers, Seven THOUSAND MACEDONIAN WARRIORS IN FULL BATTLE ARRAY
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises, Five Limerick Oysters, Six Pairs of Don Alverso’s Tweezers, Seven THOUSAND MACEDONIAN WARRIORS IN FULL BATTLE ARRAY, Eight Brass Monkeys From The Secret, Sacred Crypt of Ancient Egypt
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises, Five Limerick Oysters, Six Pairs of Don Alverso’s Tweezers, Seven THOUSAND MACEDONIAN WARRIORS IN FULL BATTLE ARRAY, Eight Brass Monkeys From The Secret, Sacred Crypt of Ancient Egypt, Nine Apathetic, Sympathetic Old Men on Roller-skates With A Marked Propensity Toward Procrastination and Sloth
• One Duck, Two Hens, Three Flocking Geese, Four Corpulent Porpoises, Five Limerick Oysters, Six Pairs of Don Alverso’s Tweezers, Seven THOUSAND MACEDONIAN WARRIORS IN FULL BATTLE ARRAY, Eight Brass Monkeys From The Secret, Sacred Crypt of Ancient Egypt, Nine Apathetic, Sympathetic Old Men on Rollerskates With A Marked Propensity Toward Procrastination and Sloth, Rambumctional, Dysfunctional Mayan Monks Who Murmur Maniacally Mythical Medications Amongst The Maitland’s Murky Mists.