Campfire USA

Camp Fire USA "builds caring, confident youth and future leaders" through programs of informal education, opportunities for youth to realize their potential and to function effectively as effectively as caring, self-directed individuals responsible to themselves and to others. Programs focus on the development of life skills, service learning and community/family involvement.

History

Camp Fire USA was founded in 1910 with the guiding principle that young people's participation in adult-guided activities would lead to their acquiring the life-enhancing skills needed to be successful adults. This child-centered approach to youth development caught on and spread rapidly. By the end of the 1920s, Camp Fire reported that its groups were finding homes in faith-based communities, which had become the largest supporters of Camp Fire groups. (Forty percent of the groups were organized in churches or sponsored by clergy).

Throughout its history, Camp Fire has continued to encourage children to celebrate their spiritual development. In its Corporate Documents for Chartered Councils, Camp Fire's position statement on spiritual development, adopted by the board of directors in 1982, reads in part:

Camp Fire USA believes that spiritual development is essential to a healthy, wholesome personality and recognizes the importance of organized religion and of religious teachings in the lives of youth.

• Service to others is one of the essentials of full living; all of which contribute to the spiritual atmosphere or climate that pervades the whole of life.
• Camp Fire USA seeks the cooperation of leaders from all religious groups in its work with youth, believing.
• We can reach farther together to make our best contribution toward a more spiritual world where the kinship of all people finds a reality and expression in the daily lives of youth and adults.

For more information about Camp Fire USA link to www.campfire.org