Camp Fire USA History
Dr. and Mrs. Luther Gulick founded Camp Fire Girls in 1910
as the first non-sectarian, interracial organization for girls.
Built on the American traditions of pioneering and Indian lore,
our guiding values are self-reliance, the importance of community,
and environmental education.
In 1975, recognizing the need for males and females to learn to
work together at a young age, Camp Fire changed its name to Camp
Fire Boys and Girls. In 2001, we evolved again, changing our name
to Camp Fire USA and modernizing our logo and image to appeal to
the kids of today.
One of Camp Fire USA's greatest strengths has always been is its
ability to anticipate, plan and adapt to change. So many people
fondly remember the Camp Fire of their childhood - a youth service
organization that was a growing, dynamic force in the community.
Today's children are confronted with challenges unlike any generation
before, and Camp Fire USA continues its tradition of listening to
the needs of young people, responding with exciting, relevant programs.
Today's Camp Fire is for today's kids.
Please contact us for more information.
|
Historical Highlights
Camp Fire was founded in 1910 by Luther Gulick, M.D., and his wife,
Charlotte Gulick, as the first nonsectarian organization for girls
in the United States. In 1975, membership was expanded to include
boys. Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Camp Fire USA currently
serves 735,000 children and youth annually.
1910
First meetings of Camp Fire Girls are held in Vermont. Dr. Gulick
chooses the name "Camp Fire" because campfires were the origin of
the first communities and domestic life. Once people learned to
make and control fire, they could develop and nurture a sense of
community.
1912
Camp Fire Girls of America is incorporated in Washington, D.C.,
as a national agency.
1913
The "Blue Bird" program is officially introduced for younger girls
and offers exploration of ideas and creative play built around family
and community life. In 1989 the "Blue Bird" level will become the
"Starflight" level and to serve both boys and girls.
1918
The first local Camp Fire council is formed in Kansas City, Mo.
Beginning in 1977, Kansas City will be the national headquarters
for Camp Fire.
1954
The national headquarters adopts a statement calling for greater
inclusiveness of all groups within all segments of the membership.
Today, Camp Fire USA prides itself in the level of diversity of
its members and its programs.
1960
Camp Fire celebrates its 50th anniversary with the "She Cares .
. . Do You?" program. During the project, Camp Fire plants more
than 2 million trees, builds 13,000 bird houses and completes several
other conservation-oriented tasks. In honor of the anniversary,
a commemorative stamp is issued and a major conservation effort
is launched.
1962
A new program level, "Junior Hi," in which 12- and 13-year-old girls
explore new interests as a group and as individuals, is created.
The program name will later changed to "Discovery" with the inclusion
of boys.
The Wohelo Medallion becomes Camp Fire's highest achievement and
honor. The Medallion is named for Camp Fire's watchword "Wohelo,"
which stands for "work," "health" and "love." Recipients typically
spend two years completing projects that foster leadership, teaching,
service and advocacy. In 1996, the Wohelo Medallion is renamed the
Wohelo Award. Each year, approximately 200 Camp Fire USA youth throughout
the nation receive the prestigious Wohelo Award.
1964-67
Through the Metropolitan Critical Areas (MCA) Project, Camp Fire
launches a national effort to reach low-income, predominantly urban
girls. The purpose of the MCA project is to meet the special needs
and promote the healthy social development of these youth and to
locate, train and retain neighborhood volunteers.
1975
Camp Fire expands its horizons and encourages boys to participate
in all Camp Fire activities. Today, 46 percent of the youth served
by Camp Fire USA are boys.
1983
The introduction of the new, coed "Adventure" program for third-
through fifth-graders completes the task of program revisions focusing
on the inclusion of boys. In this club level, children experience
activities focused on the outdoors, creativity, family and community.
1988
Camp Fire introduces "Teens in Action" 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.
1992
The DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund awards Camp Fire a $2.5
million grant. This enables Camp Fire to establish the Champions
For Children program, which strengthens the capacity of councils
through professional development opportunities for staff.
1995
Camp Fire celebrates its 85th anniversary. Building on the tradition
of the campfire symbol, the 85th birthday theme is "A Tradition
of Lighting the Way."
1996
The DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund awards Camp Fire USA a $1
million grant that helps bring youth-development programs to thousands
of young people who live in low-income communities. Through the
Extending Our Reach initiative, councils are trained and receive
technical support for initiating partnerships within these communities.
1997
Camp Fire and the nation celebrate the first-ever Absolutely
Incredible Kid Day® -- a call to action for all adults
to communicate through letters their love and commitment to children
on the third Thursday of each March.
1998
The Best Buy Children's Foundation awards Camp Fire a generous grant
to fund teen initiatives. With Best Buy's continued support, teens
across America have been empowered to create and advocate for change
in their own communities by participating in national youth forums,
web-based town hall meetings and the national teen Web site.
1999
At the national convention in Seattle, the new mission of Camp Fire
is announced, "Camp Fire builds caring, confidant youth and future
leaders." This mission is leading the organization in the new century.
Learn and Serve America and the Corporation for National Service
award Camp Fire a grant to expand its Teens in Action program to
reach over 105,000 teens by 2003. To date, 38 Camp Fire USA councils
have received over $300,000 through this grant.
2000
Camp Fire celebrates its 90th anniversary as one of America's leading
youth development agencies and conducts a nationwide search to find
the oldest living Camp Fire USA member.
Camp Fire introduces the "Community Family Club" small-group model,
designed to provide parents and other caring community adults the
opportunity to interact positively with children and teens.
2001
With over 600 million people being reached by the special event
since its inception, Camp Fire honors the fifth annual Absolutely
Incredible Kid Day® with professional football superstar
Jerry Rice serving as the event's national spokesperson.
Camp Fire USA launches a new brand and introduces a national theme
line, "Today's kids. Tomorrow's leaders." This theme line helps
succinctly define Camp Fire USA for America's families.
At the national convention in Fort Worth, Camp Fire USA debuts
newly revised curricula for small-group programs serving grades
K-5. The 52-week deep curricula are designed to build social skills
and academic competencies.
2002
Camp Fire USA conducts a system-wide launch of the Community Family
Club (CFC) program, complete with the new Community Family Club
Operations Manual offering steps to launching CFC, supporting materials
and six meeting plans. This year, each Camp Fire USA council is
expected to start a minimum of two Community Family Clubs.
2003
To further its commitment to inclusiveness, Camp Fire USA begins translating its new curricula for small-group programs into Spanish. The Spanish-language, 52-week deep curricula for grades K-5 are designed to build social skills and academic competencies within Spanish-speaking communities.
Camp Fire USA partners with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to recognize outstanding Community Family Club programs that strengthen families, helping build better futures for disadvantaged children and families in the United States. The Families Count: Family Strengthening Awards are designed to advance the principles of strengthening families and improve the lives of families while supporting Camp Fire's mission and commitment to offer quality coeducational programs for the entire family in settings that address community needs.
At the national convention in Chicago, Camp Fire USA begins introducing revised small-group middle school curricula and debuts the first national curriculum for Teens in Action. The Discovery curricula, for grades 6-8, emphasize youth participation in decision-making and leadership, encouraging youth to lead program activities; the Teens in Action curriculum, for grades 9-12, helps teens design and complete service projects and hone leadership skills.
2004
The Wohelo Award is 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.
Camp Fire USA's Online Store opens for business, allowing members and the public to purchase Camp Fire merchandise while supporting youth. A portion of proceeds from the Online Store help councils deliver programs to youth in the communities they serve. This online venture also allows the nationwide, year-round sale of Camp Fire USA candy.
2005
Camp Fire USA celebrates its 95th anniversary and begins planning its centennial anniversary celebration in 2010.
To excite and educate children before they enter kindergarten, Camp Fire USA introduces the "Little Stars" small-group program. Designed for ages three to five, Little Stars helps build confidence in children as they form lasting relationships, gain a sense of belonging and develop a feeling of emotional commitment by adults. |
