Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to many commonly-asked questions we receive about the programs and services Camp Fire offers. Click on any of the links below to quickly jump to the section you are interested in learning more about.
The Basics | Day Camps | Camp Hantesa
Camp Fire USA is one of the nation’s leading youth development organizations since its founding in 1910. The organization serves thousands of boys and girls in hundreds of communities across America.
The Basics
WHAT IS CAMP FIRE USA?
Our mission is “Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and future leaders.” And last year, Camp Fire logged an amazing 22 million program hours in pursuit of that mission.
WHO CAN BE INVOLVED?
Camp Fire USA is unique because we are not an exclusive club. We have evolved to welcome everyone, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity.
We are inclusive and open to every person in each community we serve. We work to realize the dignity and worth of every individual and to eliminate human barriers based on all assumptions that prejudge individuals. In addition, our program standards are designed and implemented to reduce sex-role, racial and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships.
WHAT AGE GROUPS DOES CAMP FIRE USA SERVE?
Camp Fire USA provides services for children and youth from preschool to 21, with an emphasis on kids between the ages of 5-16 years old.
WHY SHOULD KIDS BE INVOLVED WITH CAMP FIRE USA?
In Camp Fire USA, we encourage every child to discover his or her talents and abilities in a safe and secure environment. We think it’s important that kids satisfy their need to belong. Camp Fire allows youth to be part of a group that helps them make friends, interact with adult role models and become concerned citizens in their communities. This is taught through fun, coeducational activities, such as camps, clubs and child care, as well as programs such as A Gift of Giving, which teaches children the value of volunteering and service-learning.
HOW DOES CAMP FIRE USA DIFFER FROM OTHER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS?
Camp Fire USA is inclusive, welcoming youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity.
One important difference is that Camp Fire USA is coeducational—we serve both boys and girls in virtually all programs. Parents who like to consolidate activities for their sons and daughters find Camp Fire valuable. On another level, Camp Fire’s relatively small size and autonomous council structure allow for more custom programs for the local communities. If increasing high school drop-out rates is a problem in one community and availability of school-age child care is a problem in another, then Camp Fire councils have the ability to concentrate on those problems, with assistance from the national system.
We also differ in the processes we use to develop children and youth. Camp Fire USA youth are encouraged to participate in group and individual projects, developing their social interaction skills, as well as their abilities to rely on themselves. We generally work with smaller numbers of children and youth, providing us opportunities to build special, supportive relationships with the girls and boys we serve.
Camp Fire USA programs are based more upon development of youth as individuals to become self-reliant, caring members of their families, their schools, their communities and their nation, while including sports, games, crafts, and other similar activities. Camp Fire relies on outcome-based coeducational curriculums to reach the children and youth, therefore, providing support and opportunities as they move from dependence to independence to interdependence.
WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION ONCE CALLED “CAMP FIRE GIRLS?"
Yes, Camp Fire was founded in 1910 as an organization for girls and young women. This was the same year the Boy Scouts was founded and few organizations for girls existed. But as society’s values changed, Camp Fire realized there were many benefits to making the organization even more inclusive, rather than exclusive. The organization became officially coeducational in 1975 and was renamed Camp Fire Boys and Girls.
Today, Camp Fire USA brings boys and girls together through one organization, where 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. For families, Camp Fire’s coed programs allow parents to consolidate schedules for both their daughters and their sons. Our current membership is almost equally divided between boys and girls.
While we appreciate and honor our past, as culture has evolved, so has Camp Fire.
Day Camp Questions
Do I have to be a Camp Fire Member to attend Camp Fire Day Camps?
No, everyone is welcome! Many of our Camp Fire members work hard during the year at club activities such as candy sales to earn camp cash to help pay their way to summer camp programs, but the majority of our campers are not Camp Fire Members.
Are you an accredited camp?
We are! Camp Fire Day Camps are accredited by ACA (American Camp Association). This accreditation process requires on site review by peers in the camping industry that look at over 300 standards in the areas of facilities, program, human resources, health and safety, transportation, and overall operations. We are also proud to have on staff a trained ACA standards visitor, qualified to visit other camps during their accreditation processes.
Who are your staff and how do you recruit them, screen them and train them?
Our staff consists of college students, teachers and other adults who have a desire to work with school aged kids and see them grow. We are also pleased to work with Camp Counselor USA to help us recruit and staff from around the world to add a cultural element to our programs. International staff have come to us from England, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and more. This summer we will be adding staff from Columbia and Mexico. Domestic staff come to us through Camp Staff job fairs, advertisements, and our most successful recruiting method, word of mouth! Background and reference checks are done on all staff annually, as well as personal interviews to round out the process. All staff complete a training period where items covered include risk management, camper safety, policies, procedures, program planning, behavior management, child development, and of course, fun and games!
What is your counselor to camper ratio?
We follow American Camp Association Standards for camper ratio- keeping with in a 1:8 ratio. This ratio is far lower than childcare licensing standards.
Where do the children swim at? Do you offer swim lessons?
Most swimming is done at public swimming pools. In addition to the guards on duty- camp staff will be spread out and where the kids are. All campers must pass a swim test in order to swim in water over their chest.
For some programs that include boating or beach activities – we provide staff that have successfully completed Red Cross Lifeguard Training as well as waterfront certification specific to the activities we are offering.
What is your transportation system?
Most transportation for day campers is provided in 15 passenger vans driven by licensed drivers 21 years or older that have participated in driver training specific to 15 passenger vans and maintain a clean driving record. We also have several very colorful buses that are used at camp throughout the summer for trips to the lake or other locations that are driven by CDL licensed drivers 21 years or older and additional staff ride along to help with supervision.
How are special needs handled?
At Camp Fire Day Camps, we do our best to accommodate every camper regardless of ability or needs, however our facilities and our staff are not able to facilitate certain levels of need. Please call the director to speak specifically about our ability to provide the best care for your child.
Camp Hantesa Questions
Do I have to be a Camp Fire Member to attend Camp Hantesa?
No, everyone is welcome! Many of our Camp Fire members work hard during the year at club activities such as candy sales to earn camp cash to help pay their way to summer camp programs, but the majority of our campers are not Camp Fire Members.
What is your camp’s philosophy?
Camp Hantesa was founded as a camp of High Ideals in 1919 and since that time the staff and mission of camp have focused on providing an experience for youth that models those high ideals. As a Camp Fire USA owned and operated camp we strive to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. We feel that through outdoor experiential learning and a small group environment with abundant opportunities for decision making, youth will grow more confident and find a greater respect for others, themselves, and their environment and through this process develop as citizens and leaders.
Are you an accredited camp?
We are! Camp Hantesa is an ACA (American Camp Association) accredited camp. This accreditation process requires onsite review by peers in the camping industry that look at over 300 standards in the areas of facilities, program, human resources, health and safety, transportation, and overall operations. Camp Hantesa is also proud to have on staff two trained ACA standards visitors, qualified to visit other camps during their accreditation processes.
Who are your staff and how do you recruit them, screen them and train them?
We employ a very diverse staff of mostly 18-24 year olds from around the country and even around the world! Through the Camp Counselor USA program we are able to employ 10-15 international staff from countries like Ireland, Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Colombia, and Mexico. The majority of our US staff are former Hantesa Campers that have gone through an extensive 2-summer apprenticeship. Other are recruited through camp fairs, online recruitment companies, and word of mouth. All of our staff ( and volunteers), US or international are screened through an application, interview, reference checks, and criminal background checks. Once on site, whether returning or new to Hantesa, staff go through 2 weeks of training and certification. All staff receive certification in First Aid and CPR and many also receive additional training to certify them as riding instructors, lifeguards, swim instructors, and ropes course facilitators.
What is your counselor to camper ratio?
Our campers to counselor ratio changes a bit with camper age, for our youngest campers we never exceed a 1:6 ratio and for all other campers we never exceed a 1:8 ratio, but in general during most weeks at camp our counselor to camper ratio is 1:7.
Where do the children swim at? Do you offer swim lessons?
Campers typically swim at Camp Hantesa. In 2000, we constructed our new zero-depth entry pool with a 6 ft maximum depth. Our pool offers plenty of swimming space for beginning, intermediate and advanced swimmers. Each day, campers receive swimming lessons based on Red Cross standards and according to their specific ability as well as free swim time. Throughout the week campers will increase their ability and confidence in the water. Additional evening swims are offered during the hottest weeks of the summer. All pool access is restricted by a locked fence and lifeguards are always on duty any time campers are on the pool deck.
How are special needs handled?
At Camp Hantesa , we do our best to accommodate every camper regardless of ability or needs, however our medical facilities and our staff are not able to facilitate certain levels of need. Please call the director to speak specifically about our ability to provide the best care for your child.
How will I know when my child is ready for overnight camp?
Most resident campers have had several overnight experiences away from home either at friends houses, with other relatives, or at a club or youth event, however this should not be the determining factor in whether your child is ready. You and your child should discuss the resident camp experience, visit camp, and talk about what it means to go to camp. Skills like keeping track of belongings (to an extant - even counselors can end up with items in lost and found), expressing feelings, asking for help when needed, and an ability to dress and bathe oneself are important to have before coming to camp. Keep in mind that while confidence, ease in making friends, and a strong sense of independence from home can ease the transition to the resident camp experience, these are also things that your child can look forward to developing as a result of their resident camp week.
