Camp Fire USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Camp Fire USA | |
Camp Fire USA logo |
|
| Headquarters | Kansas City, Missouri |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Founded | March 17, 1910 |
| Founders | Luther Gulick, M.D. Charlotte Gulick |
| Membership | 750,000 |
| Nation Board Chair | Gwen Whitson |
| Nation Board Vice Chair | Larry A. Bishop |
| President/CEO | Jill Pasewalt |
| Website campfire.org |
|
- For the rock band, see Campfire Girls (band).
Camp Fire USA is a nationwide American youth organization that began in 1910 as Camp Fire Girls. The organization has been co-ed since 1975 and has youth from pre-kindergarten through age 21. Camp Fire was the first nonsectarian, interracial organization for girls in the United States.
Founded on March 17, 1910, in Thetford, Vermont, by Luther Gulick M.D. and his wife Charlotte Vedder Gulick.[1] Camp Fire Girls, as it was known at the time, was created as the sister organization to the Boy Scouts of America.[2]
Originally named Camp Fire Girls, the name was changed to Camp Fire Boys and Girls when it went co-ed in 1975. In 2001 it changed its name again to Camp Fire USA. [3]
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1910, young girls in Thetford, Vermont, watched their brothers, friends and schoolmates – all Boy Scouts – practice their parts in the community's 150th anniversary, which would be celebrated the following summer. The pageant's organizer, William Chauncey Langdon, promised the girls that they, too, would have an organized role in the pageant, although no organization such as Boy Scouts existed then for girls. Langdon consulted with Mrs. Charles Farnsworth, preceptress of Horace Mann School near Thetford, Vermont. Both approached Luther Halsey Gulick M.D.[4] about creating a national organization for girls. Gulick brought this idea to friends, among them G. Stanley Hall, Ernest Thompson Seton, and James West, executive secretary of the Boy Scouts.[5] After many discussions and help from Gulick and his wife Charlotte, Langdon named the group of Thetford girls the "Camp Fire Girls".[6]
By December 1913, Camp Fire Girls' membership was an estimated sixty thousand, and many of these began attending the local summer camps the Camp Fire provided.[5] The "Blue Bird" program was introduced this year, for younger girls and offered exploration of ideas and creative play built around family and community life.[7] In 1989 the "Blue Bird" level became the "Starflight" level.
The first official Camp Fire handbook was published in 1914.[8] During World War I Camp Fire Girls helped to sell over one million dollars in Liberty Bonds and over nine hundred thousand dollars in Thrift Stamps; fifty-five thousand girls helped to support French and Belgian orphans and an estimated sixty-eight thousand girls earned honors by conservation of food.[9]
Camp Fire celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1960, with the "She Cares... Do You?" program. During the project, Camp Fire planted more than two million trees, built 13,000 bird houses and completed several other conservation-oriented tasks. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Camp Fire Girls' movement, in connection with the Golden Jubilee Convention celebration of the organization a stamp, designed by H. Edward Oliver, was issued featuring the insignia of the Camp Fire Girls. [10] A new program level "Junior Hi" in which twelve and thirteen year old girls explore new interests as a group and as individuals was created in 1962. This program name changed later to "Discovery". [11] That same year the WoHeLo medallion became Camp Fire's highest achievement and honor.
In 1969, Camp Fire Girls were allowed to be "Participants" in BSA's Explorer Posts (for boys 14 and older). This ended in 1971, when the BSA made Explorers a co-ed program. Membership was at two hundred seventy-four thousand by 1974 and in thirteen hundred communities of the United States.[12] Camp Fire expanded its horizons in 1975, and encourages boys to participate in all Camp Fire activities.[13]Boys were invited to Camp Fire Girls Horizon Conferences in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but official membership was not offered to boys until 1975, when the organization became coeducational. Camp Fire decided boys and girls should be together through one organization, so they learn to play together, work together and appreciate their similarities and differences in positive ways. They understand that people from either gender can be their teachers, coworkers, supervisors, confidantes, coaches and friends.[14]
Camp Fire's head office moved, in 1977, to Kansas City from New York,[15] where it is still located today. Teens in Action was introduced in 1988 as a one time social issue campaign to energize the older youth program. Today Teens in Action, Camp Fire USA's service–learning program for teens, serves over 60,000 teens.
[edit] Motto and symbols
[edit] Mission
"Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and future leaders."
Camp Fire USA achieves this mission using 12 core values and identified outcomes for healthy children and youth. Chief among Camp Fire USA’s core values are: Small group experiences where children and youth are actively involved in their own learning. Coeducation that provides opportunities for children and families to develop together. An inclusive environment that welcomes all children, youth, adults and families. Leadership opportunities engaging youth to give, serve, and make decisions.[14]
[edit] Motto
The Camp Fire slogan "Give service"[16], indicates the importance placed upon helping in the family, club, community, council and country. Founders Dr. Luther Gulick and wife Charlotte Vetter Gulick endorsed the idea that constructive work created the roots of true service to humanity and a genuine joy of living, thus establishing Camp Fire's slogan to give service. [17]
The primary purpose of Camp Fire is to promote service to others, team work, and opportunities for a well rounded life — a vivid, intense life of joy and service. Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick[18]
Camp Fire youth are taught to give service in their families, in their clubs, in their Councils, in their neighborhoods, and in their larger communities. Giving service is taught as something worthy of being done for a whole lifetime, wherever the person is.
[edit] Camp Fire Law
In the Camp Fire USA Law, which dates from the first few years of Camp Fire, "Give Service" was originally the first line of the law.[19] In 1942 the words "Worship God" were explicitly given as the first term of the law. Camp Fire has clarified that, "At no time in the organization's history has a Camp Fire member been asked to take any oath or make any promise. The Camp Fire law is a desire or a goal, not an oath."
Luther Gulick said of the law: “The power of the law is within you. It is not law that other people can demand you obey; that is, it is not law from without — it is law from the heart. It commands only those who seek to follow. It is opportunity, not obligation. It is an open road leading to the beautiful country where you live, rather than chains which would bind or limit your freedom.”[14]
- Worship God – Respect all people, places and things as gifts of love. Share friendship and warmth as gifts to be given to others.
- Seek Beauty – Look for the good in all people, places, things and nature.
- Give Service – Show you care. Be a helper at home, at school, in your neighborhood, in your community, for your world.
- Pursue Knowledge – Try new things. Experiment with a new skill. Learn more about something you already know.
- Be Trustworthy – Be honest, truthful and do the things you say you will do. Be worthy of responsibilities others give you.
- Hold onto Health – Exercise, get lots of sleep, eat healthy foods, and keep your body neat and clean. A healthy person feels good and is happy.
- Glorify Work – Do the best you can with everything you do. Be proud of your work. Finish what you start.
- Be Happy – Enjoy life. Be cheerful even if things don't always go your way. Be positive. Help others to be happy. Have fun.
[edit] Singing the Camp Fire Law
Most Camp Fire youth learn the Camp Fire Law by singing it. The Law seldom is spoken; it is most often sung.
The music is the old Scottish folk melody "Flow Gently Sweet Afton." The music was written by Alexander Hume; the words of "Flow Gently" were written by Robert Burns in 1786. The Afton is a river in Scotland, and the song has a man asking the river to flow gently because the woman he loves is sleeping next to the river.[16]
[edit] Symbols
The traditional symbol is two crossed logs and a three-tipped flame; the current symbol has been modernized and stylized, but the flame remains.[16]
Charlotte Gulick explained the symbolism of fire a short time after the organization's founding. “Fire symbolized the home, the place of comfort and cheer. Around the fire centers the home and its activities. Friends gather and the family gathers around it.”[14]
[edit] Colors
Red, white and blue.
[edit] WoHeLo
The word WoHeLo was coined by Camp Fire co-founder Charlotte Gulick in 1910[20], while introducing innovative programs for girls at the family's camp. It is a combination of the first two letters of the words "Work", "Health" and "Love"[21]. The thoughts in these three words represent the joy and worth of life. The word WoHeLo is often used as a greeting or password or may also be used in correspondence.
[edit] Programs
Camp Fire USA has five nationally developed youth development programs that are delivered through 145 local and statewide councils and community partners across the nation. Programs are specific to community need and some may not be available in all communities. The five outcome based program areas include: Small-Group Clubs and Mentoring Opportunities; Leadership Development; Camping and Environmental Education; Child Care; and Self- Reliance and Service–Learning Classes. [22]
[edit] Small-group clubs and mentoring opportunities
Boys and girls usually meet once a week for an hour, learning to work and play together through service projects.[23] Camp Fire USA has numerous youth-development programs that are delivered through 145 local and statewide councils and community partners. With Small-Group Clubs and Mentoring Opportunities, boys and girls usually meet once a week for an hour, learning to work and play together through service projects.
The program levels are:
- Little Stars is for children ages three through five and provides parents and preschool youth with a quality, program-driven playgroup that gives them the opportunity to learn, grow and play.
- STARflight program is for boys and girls in kindergarten through second grade. The children meet regularly in adult supervised clubs. Meeting activities can focus on the areas of outdoors, creativity, service, acquiring new skills, learning more about themselves and getting along with others. STAR is an acronym for "Service To Another Rewards".
- Adventure Program is for boys and girls in third through fifth grade Adventure members earn Action Crafts beads for all the new things they do and for the good habits they learn. At this level youth begin to accept more responsibility for choosing and planning their club activities.
- Discovery is for sixth through eighth grades. It gives young people an opportunity to explore new interesting fields. Club members do much of their own planning and decision making, with the adult leader functioning more as an advisor than a supervisor. This is also when Camp Fire youth are eligible to make and wear ceremonial attire, often gowns or tunics, which are worn only at Camp Fire ceremonials.
- Horizon is for high school age youth in grades nine through twelve. These young people participate in self-guided programs geared toward preparing them for adult responsibilities and community service. Members may earn the WoHeLo Award.
[edit] Teens in Action
The Teens in Action program is built on Camp Fire USA's long tradition of recognizing youth as part of the solution to, and not the problem with, today’s social challenges. Working together with young people, Teens in Action strives to improve the communities where youth live, to challenge youth to learn new skills and provide leadership in areas they never thought possible. Programs of this nature inspire and honor community responsibility, contribute to the future of American volunteerism and encourage a sense of caring for others. [24]
The principles of Teens in Action are based on youth–adult partnerships and learning through empowering experiences. Its intent is to build strong ties between the teens and their families, schools and communities, and put a spotlight on issues of concern to youth. This program is based on the concept that young people are the key to the future and are making a difference in the world.[25]
[edit] Camping and environmental education
Outdoor experiences help children work in groups, make friends and build self-esteem while learning about ecology, conservation and the interrelationships of all living things. Camp Fire USA councils across the nation offer resident camp, day camp, overnight camping, environmental education and short-term outdoor recreation to more than 70,000 youth annually.[14]
"The organization shall endeavor to aid in the formation of habits making for health and vigor, the out-of-door habit, and the out-of-door spirit." Luther Gulick[26]
[edit] Past programs
[edit] Blue Birds, Sparks and Starlight
Through the years, many names have been used within Camp Fire to identify different age groups. Camp Fire's youngest members in elementary school were known as Blue Birds for many years.
In 1983, a club program for kindergartners was introduced. It was called Sparks. In 1989, these two age groups were combined. A new program level for kindergarten, first and second graders called Starlight was created. The tradition of Blue Birds has been preserved as a Camp Fire mascot for all ages to enjoy.[27]
[edit] Candy sales
Every year Camp Fire councils sell Almond Roca, Mint Patties and Almond Caramel Clusters. Money made from these sales goes to benefit Camp Fire groups, Camp Fire members, camps and programs.
[edit] Awards
Recognition is an important part of all Camp Fire USA programs. It helps children and adults build self-esteem and pride in their accomplishments.
Official national recognition items are one of the features that make Camp Fire USA unique and special. For their participation, growth and achievements, youth receive distinctive items such as beads, emblems, pins and certificates. At the early levels, Camp Fire leaders help youth choose activities and guide them in earning the recognition items. As teens, members select their own activities and develop their own action plans for earning recognition items. For adults, recognition items signify outstanding achievement or the number of years they have been adult Camp Fire USA members. Adults in programming or board positions are also recognized on the local level for their important roles in Camp Fire.
[edit] Beads
Youth are able to earn beads, while completing projects on the “Camp Fire Trails," as well as emblems. (In the past, once the participant earned ten of one type of bead, he or she was awarded a larger one of the same type to represent the ten smaller ones.) By 2006, there was one bead for each of the Camp Fire Trails.
[edit] Bead colors
- Red – Sports, Games & Science – Trail to the Future
- Brown – Outdoors & Environment – Trail to Environment
- Green – Creativity –
- Yellow – Business & Home – Trail to Family and Community
- Red, White & Blue – Citizenship – Trail to knowing me
- Purple – Special Projects
- Lime Green – Discovery level
[edit] Wohelo Award
Established in 1962, and later renamed, the medallion is named for Camp Fire's watchword "WoHeLo". Each year approximately 200 Camp Fire youth throughout the nation receive the prestigious Wohelo Award every year. A youth may apply for the award after completing four major, specified, long-term projects called Reflections, and three self-selected projects, called Advocacies, dealing an area of concern of the youth member's choosing; one of which must be to Camp Fire USA, and one cannot be to Camp Fire.[3] The third can be in either Camp Fire or outside of Camp Fire USA. Each of the three Advocacies must involve leading, teaching, serving, and speaking out. The third area of work for a Camp Fire Wohelo Award is to know Camp Fire USA. Each youth is required to read the History of Camp Fire, tour the office in their council, or other approved method of understanding the services Camp Fire provides.[16]
In 2004, The Wohelo Award was expanded to Teens in Action members, allowing all high-school aged Camp Fire USA members to work toward Camp Fire’s highest achievement and honor.[14]
[edit] Native American influence
Native American culture has long been a source of inspiration in Camp Fire USA's traditional council activities. Native American culture has served as the inspiration for ceremonial activities and attire, camp and council names, respect for nature and the environment, and the use of symbols by many councils. For Camp Fire USA, Native American symbolism was a natural outgrowth of an appreciation for differences and cultural inclusiveness. The theory was that such symbolism enabled – and even encouraged – self-reflection and personal growth.
[edit] Names
Each Camp Fire member between third and sixth grade is encouraged to choose a name that best reflects their personality and aspirations.[29] At this time they are also encouraged to choose a symbol or "symbolgram". [30]Clubs are also encouraged to choose a Native American name.[31]
[edit] Ceremonial attire
The Camp Fire ceremonial gown is based on the pattern for the Native American women's gowns. Due to its simple pattern that can be becoming to all girls, it is an inexpensive design that all girls makes all girls equal, and it is easy to adjust as the owner grows older.[32]
Now a youth may choose any style of ceremonial attire, particularly if it honors the ethnic background to which the youth can trace his or her background or toward which he or she has an affinity. This attire can include tunics, kimonos, Scandinavian skirts/aprons, etc. The ceremonial attire is decorated with honor beads, earned emblems, and other personal items the youth chooses. Sometimes the youth's symbolgram is used on the gown/tunic. The symbolgram is a symbol created by the youth to represent him/herself. By 1946 the ceremonial gown was optional.[33]
[edit] Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
Started in 1997, AIKD is a national, annual letter-writing campaign in which adults write letters of love and support to the children in their lives. This event is held the third Thursday of March, to correspond to the founding date of Camp Fire.
In previous years, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day has garnered national recognition and acclaim, winning endorsements from child and family experts and advocates. Absolutely Incredible Kid Day has developed an incredible following, including athletes, entertainers and celebrities who have championed the cause by writing letters to America’s youth. In addition, more than half of the nation’s Fortune 100 companies have used Absolutely Incredible Kid Day to build morale by encouraging employees to reach out to a child, and more than 75 malls nationwide have supported the program by creating letter-writing booths and distributing information via merchants.[14]
[edit] Camp Fire today
Camp Fire USA is inclusive, open to all youth of any race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, economic status, and sexual orientation.[34]
[edit] Notable members
[edit] See also
- British Camp Fire Girls' Association
- Religious emblems programs
- Camp Fire Girls (novel series)
- Scouting in popular culture
[edit] References
- ^ "Girls Take Up the Boy Scout Idea and Band Together". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=2&res=9F00E6DE1E3CE633A25754C1A9659C946396D6CF. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ Paris, Leslie. "Children's Nature". NYU Press. 51. http://books.google.com/books?id=RG2_CL0jF40C&pg=PA49&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&lr=&ei=FXyCSbnKMJOMkATC_4j5BQ#PPA51,M1.
- ^ a b "All About Us". Camp Fire USA. 2005. http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/history.asp. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Moscow District Camp Fire Girls – Historical Background". University of Idaho. http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/special-collections/Manuscripts/mg064.htm. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ a b "Children's Nature". NYU Press. http://books.google.com/books?id=RG2_CL0jF40C&pg=PA49&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&lr=#PPA50,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.>
- ^ "Scout Like Organizations". http://www.troop97.net/scout_like.htm. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ McFarland, John Thomas. "Giving a world-wide View of the History and Progress of the Sunday School and the Development of Religious Education...". T. Nelson & Sons. pg 194. http://books.google.com/books?id=yLoMAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA194&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&lr.
- ^ "The Book of Camp Fire Girls". George H. Doran Company. http://books.google.com/books?id=1bk2AAAAMAAJ&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=oC7riNPvM6&sig=8YdG4-f80_BdZe5IZQjdMSGP6eE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result#PPA4,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "The New International Year Book". Dodd, Mead and Company. http://books.google.com/books?id=G6YYAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA124&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&lr. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.
- ^ "Camp Fire Girls Issue". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. http://www.arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=1&cmd=1&tid=2035647. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Camp Fire Girls, Salt Creek Council". Northern Illinois University Library. http://www.ulib.niu.edu/reghist/RC%20274.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ Harley, Dudley Lee. "Time on Their Hands Wrenn". Ayer Publishing. pg 114. http://books.google.com/books?id=BXS8wltOfvkC&pg=PA114&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&lr=. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.
- ^ http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-CampFire.html/ Encyclopedia
- ^ a b c d e f g "Information Resource Book". Camp Fire USA. 21. http://compass.campfireusa.org/_FileLibrary/Library/F797/InformationResourceBook_March06.doc. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Camp Fire Girls Move". New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30B15F8395F117A93C5A8178DD85F438785F9&scp=1&sq=Camp+Fire&st=p.
- ^ a b c d Beard, Alice Marie. "Historical Origins of Camp Fire". http://www.alicemariebeard.com/campfire/history.htm. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "History". Camp Fire USA. http://www.campfireusaga.org/campfire/history.php. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Luther & Charlotte Gulick". The Extra Mile — Points of Light Volunteer Pathway. http://www.extramile.us/honorees/gulick.cfm. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Addresses and Proceedings — National Education Association of the United states". 320–321. http://books.google.com/books?id=RH0qAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA320&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&ei=yHSCScaEHY_ekwTq1PCRBg#PPA320,M1.
- ^ Rodgers, Ethel. "Sebago — Wohelo Camp Fire Girls". Good Health Publishing Company. 16–17. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=ML9GAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=0ST3zYChZO&sig=dgo1sf_ZhE3am4otoAXY2x_AySk&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA17,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Wo-He-Lo Camp Fire Girls". Cemeteries and Cemetery Symbols. http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2007/01/16/wo-he-lo-camp-fire-girls. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Camp Fire USA Fact Sheet". Alpha Phi Omega. http://www.apo.org/site/site_files/campfire_fact_sheet.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "NPO Spotlight – News". Philanthropy News Digest. http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=166900021. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Teen FAQ". Camp Fire USA. http://www.campfire.org/teens/teens_FAQ.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.
- ^ "Teens In Action". Camp Fire USA Patuxent Area Council. 5. http://montgomerycert.org/TeenCERT/TeenCERTcamp2007/Teen%20Cert%20Camp%20Applicaiton%20no%20allocation.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.
- ^ Curtis, Henry Stoddard. "the Play Movement and Its Significance". pg 272. http://books.google.com/books?id=u6wZAAAAYAAJ. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.
- ^ "About Us". Camp Fire USA Big River Council. http://www.campfirebr.org/aboutus.cfm. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ Beard, Alice Marie. "For One Camp Fire Bead". http://www.alicemariebeard.com/campfire/one-bead.htm.
- ^ Forman-Brunell, Miriam. "Girlhood in America". ABC-CILO. pg 85 - 87. http://books.google.com/books?id=R9seZ-3JCqsC&pg=PA85&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&ei=enGCSYHDIYXMkwSA4KC3Bg#PPA86,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ Beard, Alice Marie. "Camp Fire Names and Symbolgrams". http://www.alicemariebeard.com/campfire/symbols/. Retrieved on 2009-01-30.
- ^ Poast, Florence M. "Indian Names Facts & Games". Thomsen — Bryan — Ellis Company. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=2VtrAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22Camp+Fire+Girls%22&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=7Q61oxdKha&sig=TVxkn32EmGgz3hv-sSBRf0gHHVc&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA2,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ Gulick, Charlotte Emily Vetter Gulick. "The Shul U Tam NA of the Camp fire Girls". Camp Fire Outfitting Co. http://books.google.com/books?id=5odJAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Camp+Fire+%22&lr=#PPA7,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Camp Fire Girls — Ceremonial Gowns". Vintage Kids Stuff. http://www.vintagekidstuff.com/cfggown.htm. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Camp Fire USA Core Values". Camp Fire USA. http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/core_values.asp Camp Fire USA.
- ^ [http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/k/keiler-anderson.html?_r=2&scp=21&sq=Marian%20Anderson&st=cse New York Times Books, "Marian Anderson A Singer's Journey" By ALLAN KEILER (subscription access)]
- ^ "Lauren Graham on Bonnie Hunt Show". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6TS3FB1lZU. Retrieved on 2009-01-29.
[edit] External links
- Camp Fire USA (official website)
- Historical origins of Camp Fire by Alice Marie Beard
- Camp Fire Law at Iowana Council's web site
- The Book of Camp Fire Girls circa 1913

