THE LEGACY OF WORK-HEALTH-LOVE LIVES ON IN CAMP FIRE.
Camp Fire has been an innovative leader in youth development for over 100 years.
We have a rich legacy! You might remember us as Camp Fire Girls or Camp Fire USA, which were key parts of our organization’s journey. What’s kept us thriving? Our commitment to diversity and inclusion from the very beginning; incorporating youth voice into all we do; our intentional effort to reflect, evolve, and use cutting-edge research to best meet the needs of today’s families.
We got our start as Camp Fire Girls in 1910, founded by Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick and his wife, Charlotte Vetter Gulick. They believed girls deserved the outdoor learning experiences that boys had and wanted to help “guide young people on their journey to self-discovery.” Camp Fire was America’s first multiracial, multicultural, and nonsectarian organization for girls, and it opened its programming to all genders in 1975. Since then, ALL youth are welcome at Camp Fire.
Now, we have affiliates across the country, with an extensive network of camps. But no matter the program or location across the country, the Camp Fire experience remains the same. We focus on connecting young people to nature, to others, and to themselves with a loving awareness of their identities, dreams, passions, and needs. When our kids and teens thrive, it positively impacts every one of us—in our homes, schools, communities, and workplaces.
Our Inclusive History
Founded in 1910, Camp Fire was America’s first multiracial, multicultural, and nonsectarian organization for girls before women even had the right to vote. Our programs have been open to all genders since 1975, formally affirming of all sexual orientations since 1993, and today welcoming of ALL young people.
Our Focus on Now
Yes, Camp Fire’s programming has lifelong benefits, but we are not fixated on the future. We support young people on their journey to be their best selves—now.
Our Diversity of Programming
Our programs teach social-emotional skills in a wide variety of settings and use different themes and approaches. Programs are customized to meet the needs of youth, their families, and their local communities. There is something for every young person (and every spark) at Camp Fire.
Out-of-School-Time (OST)
Environmental & Camp
Teen Service & Leadership
Camp Fire’s program framework is a comprehensive look at what we do: the powerful youth experiences we create, the short-term and long-term benefits to young people, and the societal impact they will have:
The Camp Fire Journey
Growing up is hard. That’s why Camp Fire connects young people to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. We do this through powerful youth experiences that are grounded in research-based areas found to contribute to youth thriving:
YOUTH EXPERIENCES
These Camp Fire experiences create conditions needed for young people to develop the social, emotional, and cognitive competencies that indicate thriving, otherwise known as essential skills and mindsets. These skills and mindsets must be intentionally taught, modeled, and practiced just like any other skill. While we measure the essential skills and mindsets gained in our programs, we know from research that developing these skills leads to greater outcomes that last a lifetime!
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & MINDSETS
Connection to Outdoors:
Connection to Others:
Connection to Self:
Camp Fire programs are built upon a core set of positive youth development experiences.
As a result of engaging in Camp Fire programming, youth will have the following experiences…
And develop the following essential skills & mindsets…
In a safe and supportive space, which includes…
Young people want to shape the world.
Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.
In Camp Fire, it begins now.
