The Twelve Days of Camping Song

The Twelve Days of Camping is a fun song that Scouts enjoy singing together. It is set to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which many Scouts already know. This makes it easy to learn and sing. It works well at camp or during holiday gatherings.

This song adds a Scouting twist to a familiar tune. The verses include things Scouts might bring or use at camp. These items are funny and familiar—like bug spray, chocolate chip cookies, and pocketknives. Scouts like the silly buildup in the song.

Singing this song is a good way to bring laughter to a campfire program. It can help Scouts relax and enjoy being together. It also encourages group singing and participation.

The song can be used in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, or Venturing. Younger Scouts may laugh at the idea of getting underpants or soap. Older Scouts may enjoy acting out the verses. It brings all ages together in a simple and fun way.

The Twelve Days of Camping is based on the Christmas song The Twelve Days of Christmas. That song is very old. It has been sung for many years during the holiday season. People have made many new versions of it over time. These new versions often have funny or silly items in them.

Scouts began making their own version to fit camping life. They replaced the Christmas gifts with camping items. Some are useful, like soap and sunscreen. Others are silly, like lots of Twinkies and pocketknives. The last verse adds bandaids, which makes sense after all those snacks and sharp tools!

This song has been passed around camps and Scout meetings for years. No one really knows who first made it up. It may have started at a summer camp or at a pack meeting. Now, many Scout groups sing it and even add their own verses.

It has become a tradition at some camps. Scouts laugh, sing, and sometimes act out the parts. It’s a good way to have fun and make memories together.

Sing this to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of camping,
My mommy sent to me
A hammock to tie to a tree!

On the second day of camping,
My mommy sent to me
Two cans of bug spray,
And a hammock to tie to a tree!

Hopefully you know how the song goes. Continue on as follows:

Third Day: Three bottles of sunscreen
Fourth Day: Four clean shirts
Fifth Day: Five underpants (ham it up!)
Sixth Day: Six bars of soap
Seventh Day: Seven chocolate chip cookies
Eighth Day: Eight boxes of Twinkies
Ninth Day: Nine bags of chips
Tenth Day: Ten cans of cola
Eleventh Day: Eleven pocketknives
Twelfth Day: Twelve bandaids

Click here for a printable copy of The Twelve Days of Camping Song

Digital Scout Songbook

If you want more songs like the Twelve Days of Camping, check out the updated Cub Scout Songbook. It now has audio tracks so you can hear how each song sounds. This helps leaders who are not sure how to lead a song.

The recordings are done by Hunter McDaniel, an Eagle Scout with a music background. He added chords, tips, and full recordings to help Scouters teach songs. This is a great way to bring music into your pack or den.

More Songs

If you liked the Twelve Days of Camping song, you might enjoy other songs too. Singing is a big part of Scouting. It brings Scouts together and helps everyone have fun.

You can find more songs for Scouts on my Songs for Scouts page. There are silly songs, repeat-after-me songs, and songs for campfires. Use them at meetings, campouts, or just for fun.

Harmony of Scouting: The Power of Songs

Can this song be used at a Cub Scout meeting?

Yes. This song works well with Cub Scouts. They enjoy the silly items and the easy tune.

Do you need to sing all twelve verses?

You can choose how many verses to sing. If time is short, do fewer verses. If the group is having fun, sing all twelve.

Is there any movement or acting in this song?

Some groups like to act out the items. For example, pretending to spray bug spray or eat cookies. It adds fun to the song.

Can we change the words?

Yes. Some groups add their own camping items. Just keep it friendly and age-appropriate.

What tune is this sung to?

It uses the same tune as The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Is this song good for older Scouts too?

Yes. Older Scouts may enjoy it more if they get to perform or lead the song.

The Twelve Days of Camping is a silly camp song that Scouts like to sing. It uses the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Each verse adds one more camping item. Some are useful, like soap and bug spray. Others are just for laughs, like cans of cola or pocketknives.

The song gets funnier as it goes on. By the end, you’re singing about chocolate chip cookies, Twinkies, and twelve bandaids. It’s easy to learn and fun to perform. Younger Scouts enjoy the rhythm and repetition. Older Scouts like to add actions or change up the words.

This song works well at campfires, pack meetings, or holiday parties. It helps Scouts have fun together. It can also be a good way to get everyone involved in singing.