What are the elements that make a good scary cub scout campfire story?

One great cub scout campfire story is 'The Legend of the Golden Arrow'. It's about a young scout who goes on a quest to find a magical golden arrow that is said to bring good luck to the whole scout troop. He faces many challenges in the forest, like crossing a wide river and climbing a steep hill. But with his determination and the skills he learned as a scout, he finally finds the arrow.

Here's another one. In an old cabin at the cub scout camp, there was a rocking chair. One night, a curious cub scout went inside the cabin alone. As he entered, the rocking chair started to move on its own. He heard a soft, eerie humming. Legend had it that an old scoutmaster had passed away in that cabin, and his spirit still lingered, attached to the rocking chair he loved so much.

There's the story of 'The Talking Fox'. In this story, a Cub Scout is sitting by the campfire alone when a fox approaches. To his surprise, the fox can talk! The fox tells the scout about all the secrets of the forest, like where to find the best berries and how to avoid getting lost. It's a fun and educational story for Cub Scouts.

There's a tale of a haunted campsite. In the past, a group of scouts were camping there when a huge storm hit. Lightning struck a tree, which then fell and killed one of the scouts. Ever since then, those who camp at that site at night often report hearing strange noises like the cracking of the tree again and the screams of the scout who died. It's a story that makes you think twice about camping in that particular spot.

Surprise is key. For example, if you have a normal - looking object like a spoon suddenly coming to life and talking in a spooky voice. Another element is a bit of humor mixed with the fear. Like a ghost that is afraid of its own shadow. And an unexpected setting can also make a story great, such as a spooky event happening in a bright and cheerful meadow instead of a dark forest.

Well, friendly characters are important. Like in the story of the rabbit and the squirrel. Nice characters make the story warm. Also, a simple plot. Complicated stories are not suitable for campfires. Simple ones are easy to follow.

Well, the atmosphere is crucial. A good scary campfire story often has a setting that is either very dark or has an eerie stillness. For example, a campsite near a cemetery or a place where there have been mysterious disappearances. Unnatural events are also great elements. Such as objects moving on their own, like a camping chair suddenly sliding across the ground for no reason. And the characters' fear reactions can enhance the scariness. If they start to see things that others can't, or if they feel a presence that can't be explained, it makes the story more intense.

The setting can also play a role. A bright and beautiful place like a sunny meadow or a colorful forest. Not a dark and gloomy place. For instance, a story set in a flower - filled valley where a little boy meets friendly fairies who teach him about the magic of nature. Another important thing is the absence of real danger. No monsters that are going to harm the characters in a cruel way.

Well, friendly characters are a big part. For example, if the story has a cute little animal as the main character, like a bunny or a squirrel, it's less likely to be scary. Also, a positive plot. If the story is about something being found or saved, rather than something being lost or in danger in a really terrifying way.

Surprise is a key element. For example, in a story, just when the character thinks they are safe, something unexpected happens. This could be like a hiker finding a seemingly safe place in the woods, but then strange noises start coming from inside. Another element is a sense of the unknown. If the source of the scariness is not clearly defined, like a shadowy figure that no one can really make out, it makes the story scarier. Also, a creepy setting helps. A desolate cemetery or a dark forest at night adds to the fear factor.