Camp Fire (organization): Difference between revisions

From ScoutWiki, For Everyone, Everywhere involved with Scouting and Guiding...
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (robot Adding: eo:Camp Fire USA)
m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-Smokey Bear +Smokey Bear); cosmetic changes)
Line 4: Line 4:


'''Camp Fire USA''' is a nationwide [[youth organization]] that began on [[March 17]], [[1910]] as '''Camp Fire Girls'''. The organization has been [[co-ed]] since [[1975]] and has youth from pre-kindergarten through age 21. For a time it was known as just '''Camp Fire''' and then as '''Camp Fire Boys and Girls''' as more boys joined the organization.
'''Camp Fire USA''' is a nationwide [[youth organization]] that began on [[March 17]], [[1910]] as '''Camp Fire Girls'''. The organization has been [[co-ed]] since [[1975]] and has youth from pre-kindergarten through age 21. For a time it was known as just '''Camp Fire''' and then as '''Camp Fire Boys and Girls''' as more boys joined the organization.
==History==
== History ==
[[Image:Camp Fire Girls stamp.png|Camp Fire Stamp|thumb|left|100px]]
[[Image:Camp Fire Girls stamp.png|Camp Fire Stamp|thumb|left|100px]]
The organizational history and the story of the origins of Camp Fire are complex, but the short version would be that Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 by some of the same people who founded [[Boy Scouts of America]]. [[Luther Gulick (physician)|Luther Gulick]] and his wife Charlotte Vetter Gulick are credited as "official founders" of Camp Fire Girls.
The organizational history and the story of the origins of Camp Fire are complex, but the short version would be that Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 by some of the same people who founded [[Boy Scouts of America]]. [[Luther Gulick (physician)|Luther Gulick]] and his wife Charlotte Vetter Gulick are credited as "official founders" of Camp Fire Girls.
Line 10: Line 10:
In 1913, the "Blue Bird" program was introduced for younger girls and offered exploration of ideas and creative play built around family and community life. In 1989 the "Blue Bird" level became the "Starflight" level.
In 1913, the "Blue Bird" program was introduced for younger girls and offered exploration of ideas and creative play built around family and community life. In 1989 the "Blue Bird" level became the "Starflight" level.


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. In 1975, Camp Fire went co-ed as well and would soon rename itself "Camp Fire Boys and Girls". In 2001, it adopted its current name of "Camp Fire USA".
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. In 1975, Camp Fire went co-ed as well and would soon rename itself "Camp Fire Boys and Girls". In 2001, it adopted its current name of "Camp Fire USA".


==Program==
== Program ==
===Motto and symbols===
=== Motto and symbols ===
The group's motto is "Give Service." The watchword is "WoHeLo," a word created from the first two letters of the words "work, health, love." The traditional symbol is two crossed logs and a three-tipped flame; the current symbol has been modernized and stylized, but the flame remains. [[Image:Smokey with scouts.png|thumb|right|[[Smokey Bear]] with members of the [[Boy Scouts of America]] and the Camp Fire Girls celebrating the 50th anniversary of their founding in 1910.]]
The group's motto is "Give Service." The watchword is "WoHeLo," a word created from the first two letters of the words "work, health, love." The traditional symbol is two crossed logs and a three-tipped flame; the current symbol has been modernized and stylized, but the flame remains. [[Image:Smokey with scouts.png|thumb|right|Smokey Bear with members of the [[Boy Scouts of America]] and the Camp Fire Girls celebrating the 50th anniversary of their founding in 1910.]]


The group's colors are red, white, and blue.
The group's colors are red, white, and blue.


===Awards and levels===
=== Awards and levels ===
The program levels are STARflight, Adventure, Discovery, and Horizon. STAR is an acronym for "Service To Another Rewards." STARflight is for children in [[kindergarten]] through second grade. STARflight level members wear red vests, a white shirt and blue pants. After completing the second grade, members fly up to Adventure. Members of Adventure wear blue vests, a white shirt and blue pants. After completing the [[fifth grade]], members fly up to Discovery, Camp Fire's program for [[middle school|middle schoolers]]. Members of Discovery wear the same uniform as the members of Horizon, Camp Fire's program for [[high school|high schoolers]].
The program levels are STARflight, Adventure, Discovery, and Horizon. STAR is an acronym for "Service To Another Rewards." STARflight is for children in [[kindergarten]] through second grade. STARflight level members wear red vests, a white shirt and blue pants. After completing the second grade, members fly up to Adventure. Members of Adventure wear blue vests, a white shirt and blue pants. After completing the [[fifth grade]], members fly up to Discovery, Camp Fire's program for [[middle school]]ers. Members of Discovery wear the same uniform as the members of Horizon, Camp Fire's program for [[high school]]ers.


Beginning in [[sixth grade]], Camp Fire youth are eligible to make and wear ceremonial attire, often gowns or tunics, which are worn only at Camp Fire ceremonials. The ceremonial attire historically was made of cloth resembling deerskin in the style of a Native American gown. 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.
Beginning in [[sixth grade]], Camp Fire youth are eligible to make and wear ceremonial attire, often gowns or tunics, which are worn only at Camp Fire ceremonials. The ceremonial attire historically was made of cloth resembling deerskin in the style of a Native American gown. 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.


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.) The beads have had various names over the years. By 2006, there was one bead for each of the Camp Fire Trails, a purple bead for special projects, and a lime green bead for the middle school-aged youth in the Discovery Club level.
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.) The beads have had various names over the years. By 2006, there was one bead for each of the Camp Fire Trails, a purple bead for special projects, and a lime green bead for the middle school-aged youth in the Discovery Club level.
[[Image:Witch_wendy_comic1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Wendy the Good Little Witch]] with members of the Camp Fire Girls.]]
[[Image:Witch_wendy_comic1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Wendy the Good Little Witch]] with members of the Camp Fire Girls.]]
The highest youth award is the "Wohelo Award." A youth may apply for the award after completing (1) four major, specified, long-term projects called Reflections, and (2) 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. 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. Some councils additionally believe that if one believes in Camp Fire one supports it, and require an additional participation on the council's annual fundraisers such as the annual candy fundraiser.
The highest youth award is the "Wohelo Award." A youth may apply for the award after completing (1) four major, specified, long-term projects called Reflections, and (2) 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. 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. Some councils additionally believe that if one believes in Camp Fire one supports it, and require an additional participation on the council's annual fundraisers such as the annual candy fundraiser.


==Camp Fire Law==
== Camp Fire Law ==
The '''Camp Fire Law''' is: <br>
The '''Camp Fire Law''' is: <br />
::Worship God.<br>
::Worship God.<br />
::Seek beauty.<br>
::Seek beauty.<br />
::Give service.<br>
::Give service.<br />
::Pursue knowledge.<br>
::Pursue knowledge.<br />
::Be trustworthy.<br>
::Be trustworthy.<br />
::Hold on to health.<br>
::Hold on to health.<br />
::Glorify work.<br>
::Glorify work.<br />
::Be happy.
::Be happy.


==Absolutely Incredible Kid Day==
== 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.
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.


==Camp Fire today==
== Camp Fire today ==


Camp Fire USA is open to all youth of any race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, economic status, and sexual orientation. Camp Fire USA is inclusive.
Camp Fire USA is open to all youth of any race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, economic status, and sexual orientation. Camp Fire USA is inclusive.


==See also==
== See also ==


[[Religious emblems programs]]
[[Religious emblems programs]]


==External links==
== External links ==
*[http://www.campfire.org Official website]
*[http://www.campfire.org Official website]
*[http://members.aol.com/alicebeard/campfire/history.html Historical origins of Camp Fire] by Alice Marie Beard
*[http://members.aol.com/alicebeard/campfire/history.html Historical origins of Camp Fire] by Alice Marie Beard


[[Category:Non-scout youth organizations]]
[[Category:Non-scout youth organizations]]


[[eo:Camp Fire USA]]
[[eo:Camp Fire USA]]

Revision as of 19:29, 9 December 2009

For the rock band, see Campfire Girls (band).

Camp Fire USA is a nationwide youth organization that began on March 17, 1910 as Camp Fire Girls. The organization has been co-ed since 1975 and has youth from pre-kindergarten through age 21. For a time it was known as just Camp Fire and then as Camp Fire Boys and Girls as more boys joined the organization.

History

Camp Fire Stamp

The organizational history and the story of the origins of Camp Fire are complex, but the short version would be that Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 by some of the same people who founded Boy Scouts of America. Luther Gulick and his wife Charlotte Vetter Gulick are credited as "official founders" of Camp Fire Girls.

In 1913, the "Blue Bird" program was introduced for younger girls and offered exploration of ideas and creative play built around family and community life. In 1989 the "Blue Bird" level became the "Starflight" level.

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. In 1975, Camp Fire went co-ed as well and would soon rename itself "Camp Fire Boys and Girls". In 2001, it adopted its current name of "Camp Fire USA".

Program

Motto and symbols

The group's motto is "Give Service." The watchword is "WoHeLo," a word created from the first two letters of the words "work, health, love." The traditional symbol is two crossed logs and a three-tipped flame; the current symbol has been modernized and stylized, but the flame remains.

Smokey Bear with members of the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls celebrating the 50th anniversary of their founding in 1910.

The group's colors are red, white, and blue.

Awards and levels

The program levels are STARflight, Adventure, Discovery, and Horizon. STAR is an acronym for "Service To Another Rewards." STARflight is for children in kindergarten through second grade. STARflight level members wear red vests, a white shirt and blue pants. After completing the second grade, members fly up to Adventure. Members of Adventure wear blue vests, a white shirt and blue pants. After completing the fifth grade, members fly up to Discovery, Camp Fire's program for middle schoolers. Members of Discovery wear the same uniform as the members of Horizon, Camp Fire's program for high schoolers.

Beginning in sixth grade, Camp Fire youth are eligible to make and wear ceremonial attire, often gowns or tunics, which are worn only at Camp Fire ceremonials. The ceremonial attire historically was made of cloth resembling deerskin in the style of a Native American gown. 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.

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.) The beads have had various names over the years. By 2006, there was one bead for each of the Camp Fire Trails, a purple bead for special projects, and a lime green bead for the middle school-aged youth in the Discovery Club level.

Wendy the Good Little Witch with members of the Camp Fire Girls.

The highest youth award is the "Wohelo Award." A youth may apply for the award after completing (1) four major, specified, long-term projects called Reflections, and (2) 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. 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. Some councils additionally believe that if one believes in Camp Fire one supports it, and require an additional participation on the council's annual fundraisers such as the annual candy fundraiser.

Camp Fire Law

The Camp Fire Law is:

Worship God.
Seek beauty.
Give service.
Pursue knowledge.
Be trustworthy.
Hold on to health.
Glorify work.
Be happy.

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.

Camp Fire today

Camp Fire USA is open to all youth of any race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, economic status, and sexual orientation. Camp Fire USA is inclusive.

See also

Religious emblems programs

External links