New here? Here's how Campfire works.
Campfire is a place where your group — your class, your friends, your family — actually does things together. Someone posts a question, challenge, or game. Everyone answers. And here's the twist: nobody sees a single answer until everyone has responded. Then it all opens at once.
Got an invite link or QR code from your teacher or group leader? Just tap or scan it — it brings you straight to the right group.
The one thing that makes Campfire different
On most apps, you see other people's answers as they come in — so it's easy to just follow the crowd. Campfire seals every response in an envelope. You answer honestly, because you can't see anyone else yet. The moment the last person is in, the envelope opens and everyone sees the results together. That shared reveal is the fun part.
What actually happens, step by step
From opening the app to the big reveal — here's the whole loop. The orange line is what you do.
Sign in
Create an account or continue with Google. It takes a few seconds, and your free trial starts right away.
👉 Tap “Get started,” then sign in.
Create or join a group
A group is just the people you'll play with — a class, a club, a family. Start your own and invite people, or join one that already exists.
👉 Joining? Tap the invite link or scan the QR code you were given. You'll land right in the group.
An engagement gets posted
An engagement is one activity — a poll, a photo challenge, a quick check-in, a trivia question. Anyone in the group can start one and choose how it works (deadline, anonymous or not, how it reveals).
👉 Watch for it, or start your own once you're comfortable.
Everyone responds — sealed
Each person submits their answer privately. You won't see anyone else's yet, and they won't see yours. A little tracker shows how many people are still to go, and you can nudge the stragglers.
👉 Answer the question. Then wait for the rest of the group.
The big reveal
The moment the last person responds, the envelope breaks and everyone's answers appear at once — for the whole group, at the same time. React with emojis, leave comments, rate entries, or crown a winner.
👉 Enjoy the reveal — this is the payoff.
Keep it going
Groups build streaks the more they play, and a group health score shows how active you are. The next engagement is usually just a tap away — sometimes the winner gets to post it.
👉 Come back for the next one and keep your streak alive.
Joining a group in under a minute
The fastest path — perfect if your teacher or group leader just shared a link or put a QR code on the screen.
- 1Tap the link or scan the QR codeIt opens Campfire on the exact group you're joining.
- 2Continue with GoogleOne tap, no password to remember. Your trial starts automatically.
- 3You're in the groupYou'll see the group and any engagement that's waiting for you.
- 4Answer the questionSubmit your response — remember, nobody can see it yet.
- 5Wait for the revealOnce everyone's answered, all the results open at the same moment.
- 6React and join the next oneDrop a reaction or comment, then keep the streak going.
Group chats killed the group experience
Social media became passive and performative. Group chats became noise. Nobody built a structured group activity layer — until now.
📱 Social Media = Spectating
Feeds are algorithmically driven, not relationship-driven. Connection has been replaced by consumption.
- ✓Passive scrolling over genuine interaction
- ✓No structured activities
- ✓Optimized for engagement, not relationships
👥 Group Chats = Noise
Unstructured text streams with no shared activities, no surprises, no accountability.
- ✓Messages disappear into the void
- ✓No challenges, games, or surprises
- ✓No way to keep special moments
🔥 Campfire = Structure + Suspense
Gives groups a reason to engage — and a reason to wait. Results stay sealed until every member responds.
- ✓12 engagement types from polls to games
- ✓Sealed results — nobody sees anything until everyone is in
- ✓The reveal is the event, not just the answer
- ✓Deadline-driven participation with nudges
12 ways to bring your group to life
From lighthearted games to meaningful accountability, Campfire offers a rich toolkit for group interaction. Every one uses the same sealed-reveal magic.
Engagement templates to get started instantly
Browse curated template packs tailored to your group's interests and gatherings.
The person who starts the engagement controls how it plays out
Deadlines, blind mode, reveal mechanics, ratings, and recurrence — all configurable per engagement, all live today.
🔒 Sealed Results
The core mechanic. Nobody sees poll results, challenge entries, or accountability answers until every member has responded — then the reveal happens together, automatically.
- ✓Builds anticipation and honest responses
- ✓Eliminates bandwagon voting and bias
- ✓Turns every engagement into a shared event
🎬 Four Reveal Modes
Sealed (wait for everyone), all-at-once (you trigger the reveal), or as-they-come / instant (responses show live as they land).
⭐ Ratings & Winner
After the reveal, members rate each other's entries 1–5 stars. The highest average is crowned the winner — who gets a prompt to start the next one.
⏱️ Deadlines, Enforced
Set a response window. Reminders go out automatically as it nears, and the reveal auto-fires after the deadline so one straggler can't freeze it.
🙈 Blind Responses
Hide identities so no one knows whose response is whose. Perfect for honest accountability and unbiased judging.
👋 Real Nudges
One tap emails everyone who hasn't responded yet; the system also nudges automatically as a deadline approaches.
🔄 Recurring Engagements
Repeat daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly — including floating holidays like Mother's Day (2nd Sunday of May). A fresh copy auto-posts each cycle; yearly cards re-open a couple of weeks before the date.
🎂 Celebration Cards
A surprise card everyone signs for someone — birthday, anniversary, Mother's/Father's Day. Each wish is private to the recipient (even after it opens), it reveals on the special day, and it comes back every year on its own.
- ✓Hidden from the recipient until the big day
- ✓Every wish private to them — the rest of the group never sees it
- ✓On open, everyone learns it was delivered + how many wishes
✉️ Guest Signing
Invite anyone to sign one card with just their name — no account, no app, and they never join your group. A host can later promote a guest to a full member.
✏️ Edit Before Reveal
Changed your mind? Edit your answer any time before the reveal — your response re-opens pre-filled.
🔒 Leader-Private Responses
Flip a toggle and each person's response is seen only by them and the host — never the rest of the group, even after the reveal. Built for sensitive pastoral or small-group care.
🕊️ Anonymous Replies
Let members leave each other encouraging replies without their name attached once an engagement is released — honest support, no spotlight.
📤 Share Card
Export a clean results image — poll bars or the crowned winner — to drop on a class screen or share on socials.
💬 Reactions & Comments
After the reveal, react with emojis and leave comments on individual responses for deeper interaction.
🛡️ Moderation & Safety
Hosts can remove a response, any member can report one, and a profanity filter keeps things kind — built with classrooms in mind.
📊 Host Analytics
Admins see participation rates, invite conversion, and a live streak leaderboard at a glance.
🏅 Badges
Members earn badges — On a roll, Streak leader, Recruiter, 100% crew — for showing up and keeping the group going.
Streaks & group health at a glance
Track participation, build momentum, and celebrate collective milestones.
🔥 Streak Counters
Individual and group participation streaks. Keep the chain alive and unlock streak badges.
📊 Participation Dashboard
Real-time view of who's responded, who's still pending, and overall group engagement metrics.
💪 Group Health Score
A single score reflecting participation rates, response quality, and consistency. Trending up or down.
🎖️ Group Milestones
Celebratory milestones at 10, 25, 50, and 100 engagements. Shareable graphics for each achievement.
Themed seasons to keep things fresh
Time-limited engagement themes tailored to seasons, holidays, and group moments.
Quick answers before you jump in
The things first-timers usually wonder about.
Do I need an account?
Yes, a quick one — so the app knows who's responded and can keep the envelope sealed until everyone's in. Continuing with Google is the fastest way.
Is it free?
You start with a free trial that gives you full access. After that there's an optional premium plan, but everything you need to join in and play is available from day one.
Can people see my answer before I'm ready?
No. That's the whole point. Your response stays sealed — even from the person who started the engagement — until the last group member has responded.
What if I want to answer honestly but privately?
Many engagements can be set to blind mode, where answers reveal without showing whose is whose. Great for honest check-ins and unbiased judging.
What happens if someone doesn't respond?
The engagement waits on them, and anyone can send a gentle nudge. Some engagements have a deadline, so the reveal still happens on time.
How do I join the group my teacher set up?
Just tap the invite link they shared or scan the QR code on the screen. It drops you straight into the right group — no code to type.
What makes Campfire different
No other app combines structured group activities with this flexibility.
| Feature | Campfire | WhatsApp / iMessage | Instagram / TikTok | Discord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results sealed until all respond | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Structured group engagements | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Polls with QR code access | ✓ Yes | - | - | Basic |
| Accountability check-ins | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Blind / anonymous responses | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Photo / video challenges | ✓ Yes | - | Partial | - |
| Turn-based games | ✓ Yes | - | - | Bots |
| Video greeting mash-ups | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Deadline-enforced responses | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Random guest opt-in | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Favourites tab for replaying greetings | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Recurring / scheduled engagements | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Template packs | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Reactions on responses | ✓ Yes | - | Partial | Partial |
| Streak tracking | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Export to social media | ✓ Yes | - | - | - |
| Voice note responses | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | - | ✓ Yes |
Free to use with a clear path to premium
Campfire is free with ads, with premium and enterprise tiers.
Ad-Supported
All core engagement types free. Revenue through non-intrusive ads. Groups of any size, unlimited engagements.
Power Features
Remove ads, expanded random guest pools, exclusive engagement types, priority support, and group analytics.
Organizations
White-label for churches, schools, and organizations. Bulk group management, admin dashboards, and custom branding.
Works everywhere — install it like an app
A fast web app you can add to your home screen, with friction-free joining and privacy-first design.
📲 Installable (PWA)
Add Campfire to your home screen on iOS or Android — app icon, full-screen, offline-aware — with no app store download.
🔗 One-Tap Joining
Join a group from a link, and sign in with Google or just your name — no account or email required for students.
✉️ Email Invites
Invite a whole class by email; track who's joined, add more, and nudge anyone who hasn't — or copy a ready-made invite to paste anywhere.
The whole thing in one sentence
Join a group → answer the question → everyone's answers unlock together the moment the last person responds. That's Campfire.
Ready to jump in?
Sign in, join your group, and answer your first question. The reveal is waiting on the other side.
Get started