8 Worship Songs For Retreats And Camps (Campfire Moments)

There is something spiritual about leaving the building. Whether it is a youth camp, a men’s retreat, or a church getaway, moving worship from the stage to a campfire or a living room changes the dynamic completely. The lights are gone, the tracks are off, and the pretense fades away.

Songs for these environments need to be “campfire ready.” They need to survive without a drummer or a synth player. They rely on strong melodies, simple chord progressions, and lyrics that can be sung with eyes closed. These songs facilitate the kind of raw, unfiltered worship that often leads to the biggest breakthroughs.

Why These Songs Work Unplugged

We selected these songs because:

  • They are loopable. You can sing the chorus over and over without it getting boring, which is perfect for lingering moments.
  • They are nostalgic. Many are modern classics that everyone knows by heart, removing the barrier of learning new lyrics.
  • They are guitar-driven. They sound full and complete with just a single acoustic guitar strumming open chords.

8 Songs For The Fire

  1. Good Good Father – This song was practically born around a campfire. Its lilting 6/8 time signature and relational lyrics make it the ultimate acoustic song. It invites people to drop their guard and simply be children of God.
  2. Great Are You Lord – “It’s Your breath in our lungs.” This song builds beautifully even without a band. You can start with a quiet strum and grow to a loud, foot-stomping chorus using just the voices of the people to drive the dynamics.
  3. Lord I Need You – Camps are often times of confession and realignment. This song provides a simple prayer of dependency that fits perfectly after a late-night devotional or testimony time.
  4. Open The Eyes Of My Heart – A classic that has stood the test of time because it is so easy to play and sing. It is repetitive in the best way, allowing the group to focus entirely on the prayer of seeing God.
  5. Build My Life – The verse melody is very conversational, which works well in an intimate setting. The bridge, “I will build my life upon Your love,” is a great dedication anthem for the final night of a retreat.
  6. How He Loves – This song requires a bit of vocal range, but it is an emotional powerhouse. The poetry of the lyrics connects deeply in a retreat setting where people are often dealing with heavy emotions and seeking God’s love.
  7. 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) – If you have a multi-generational group, this is the safest bet. It is easy to play on guitar and unites everyone from kids to grandparents in a familiar melody of praise.
  8. Reckless Love – The imagery of God climbing up mountains and kicking down walls is vivid and powerful in an acoustic setting. It helps people feel pursued by God, which is the heart of any retreat experience.

Example Campfire Setlists

Setlist 1 (Under The Stars)

  1. Open The Eyes Of My Heart – Simple, familiar opener to get everyone singing.
  2. Good Good Father – Centers the group on identity and relationship.
  3. How He Loves – Ends with an emotional realization of God’s presence.

Setlist 2 (Morning Devotion)

  1. Great Are You Lord – Acknowledges God as the source of our breath.
  2. Build My Life – A prayer of dedication for the day ahead.
  3. Lord I Need You – A humble confession to walk in step with Him.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Ditch the iPad. If possible, memorize these songs. Leading a campfire session while staring at a screen kills the vibe. Look at the people, not the chord chart.
  • Key change. Acoustic guitars often sound best in the key of G or D because of the open strings. Transpose these songs to utilize open chords for a fuller, more resonant sound.
  • Let them sing. The beauty of acoustic worship is hearing the voices. Stop playing for the last chorus of 10,000 Reasons and let the acapella sound of the group take over.

Next Steps

Are you planning a retreat? Don’t overthink the production. Pack a good acoustic guitar, print out a few lyric sheets, and use Good Good Father to create a space where people can be real with God.

By Sofia Moreno, WorshipChords Editorial Staff

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