Short Campfire Ghost Stories

The Allure of Short Campfire Ghost Stories

The campfire is crackling and the moon is high. The marshmallows have been roasted, and now it's the perfect time for a few short but scary tales to entertain your crew. The key to making these stories especially effective is delivering them as though they are fact, right to the very end. A little drama doesn't hurt either.

Here's a simple tale with a scary surprise - the traditional way to end most campfire ghost stories. It's easy to remember, and you can change or add details to suit your audience.

Lost in the Woods

This story requires an accomplice.

(The storyteller begins.)

You know, it was on a night just like this when a little girl went missing in these woods. The rangers say her name was Cassie, and she had gone camping with her girl scout troop. That first night, when everyone was gathered around the campfire, the little girl ignored what she had been taught about sticking with her camp buddy. She heard a little rustle in the nearby brush, and thought she just might catch a bunny to keep as a pet. She quietly snuck off after the sound.

It wasn't very long until her camp buddy noticed that the girl was missing, and she told the scout leader about it. The rest of the girls were ushered back to their cabins, and the scout leader and a few of the moms gathered their flashlights, and set out to look for the girl. A short time later, a terrible thunderstorm blew in, making it impossible to keep looking for the missing camper. The moms decided it was best to turn back and continue the search after the storm had passed; after all, the little girl wasn't one of their daughters. However, the scout leader refused to give up. With her hair plastered to her face by the rain, and the lightening flashing all around, she bravely walked into the woods, calling the little girl's name. The sound of her calling could be heard, over and over, until it faded away.

When the moms arrived back at the cabin, they discovered that the little girl had found her way back on her own, and, except for a few scratches, was none the worse for wear. The violent storm continued through the night, but all was still again by morning. However, there wasn't sight or sound of the scout leader. The moms alerted the park rangers, and a search party was formed, but not a trace was ever found of the missing leader.

(This next part is told very softly.)

That was ten years ago, but some people say you can still hear her ghost calling out the little girl's name, "Cassie, Caaassieee..." Listen, you can almost hear it now...

(At this point your accomplice waits a moment for the silence to set in, and then shrieks "Cassie!", making everyone jump.)

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

If you're looking for books with short ghost stories to read around the campfire, Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series is guaranteed to curl a few toes.

The three volume series includes:

• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
• More Scary stories to Tell in the Dark
• Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones

The tales included in these books are largely gathered from American folklore, but there are touches of urban legends included. Some of the stories are mildly humorous and slightly disturbing all at once. A few are a bit too scary for younger audiences.

The following tales would make good short campfire ghost stories:

• Something Was Wrong: This is a short tale about a man who doesn't yet realize he's dead.
• The Little Black Dog: Billy Mansfield is stalked and terrorized by a phantom black dog.
• Clinkity-Clink: What happens when a grave digger steals the silver coins from a corpse's eyes, and she comes to reclaim them? Clinkety-clink!
• The Bride: The moral of this story is never play hide-n-seek in an attic trunk.
• Cemetery Soup: Be careful where you get your soup bones from; someone may want them back.

Ghost Stories Online

You'll also find a wonderful selection of ghost stories at the following websites. Share them around the campfire, at sleepovers, or anytime you feel like a good scare.

• JamesGang.com
• ScaryPlace.com
• BoyScoutTrail.com
• AmericanFolklore.net