There’s nothing like a Scout Campfire to get a boy in the mood for Camp or to finish up a memorable stay at Boyhaven. Songs, skits and a verse or two of "Kumbaya" have been part of the Scout campfire tradition since 1910, the beginning of the Scouting Movement in America. The bright and colorful light of rapid oxidation is mesmerizing. Sparks fly as the pyre burns down and charred logs tumble to the ground. The ranger stands guard in the shadows with an indian tank, just in case. There’s no dark darker than the dark after a campfire. The walk back to the lean-to is quiet; boys wonder if there’s really any truth to that tale of the "carnivorous frog" or the story about "the hook" who lives in Middle Grove.     

     Boyhaven’s a magical place of meat-eating reptiles, ancient cryptozoons, and stories of late night visitors to the White House cellar. It’s this magic that makes for memories. Schenectady County District Attorney Bob Carney was our special guest speaker at the 75^th Anniversary Celebration in August of 1999. He was both camper and staff member at Boyhaven in the 70’s and from his remarks that day it was obvious that he is still under Boyhaven’s "magic spell". (It was the campfires he remembered! And the carnivorous frog!)

    The campfire area is located just north of Lower Cacner Lake on a hill overlooking the water. Recent improvements to the area, made possible through a generous donation by a Friend of Camp Boyhaven, include a small stage, lighting, and benches for the audience. (Do bright lights really ward off the Carnivorous Frog or... The Hook?)