History
In 2010, Camp Fire USA celebrated a century of service to America's families. As we look forward to our second century, it is important to celebrate our beginings. Here is a brief history of Camp Fire:
In 1910, young girls in Thetford, Vermont, watched their brothers, friends, and schoolmates all Boy Scouts practice their parts in the community's 150th anniversary, which would be celebrated the following summer. The pageant's organizer, William Chauncey Langdon, promised the girls that they, too, would have an organized role in the pageant, although no organization existed then for girls. Langdon consulted with Mrs. Charles Farnsworth, preceptress of Horace Mann School near Thetford, Vermont. Both approached Luther Halsey Gulick M.D. about creating a national organization for girls. Gulick introduced the idea to friends, among them G. Stanley Hall, Ernest Thompson Seton, and James West, executive secretary of the Boy Scouts. After many discussions and help from Gulick and his wife Charlotte, Langdon named the group of Thetford girls the Camp Fire Girls.
By December 1913, Camp Fire Girls' membership was an estimated 60,000, many of whom began attending affiliated summer camps.The Bluebird program was introduced that year for younger girls, offering exploration of ideas and creative play built around family and community. In 1989 the Bluebirds became Starflight.
The first official Camp Fire handbook was published in 1914. During World War I Camp Fire Girls helped to sell over one million dollars in Liberty Bonds and over $900,000 in Thrift Stamps; 55,000 girls helped to support French and Belgian orphans, and an estimated 68,000 girls earned honors by conservation of food.
While boys were invited to Camp Fire Girls Horizon Conferences in the late 1960s and early 1970s, official membership was not offered them until 1975, when the organization became coeducational. Camp Fire decided boys and girls should be together in one organization, so they learn to play and work alongside each other and appreciate their similarities and differences in positive ways. Thus they understand that people from either gender can be their teachers, coworkers, supervisors, confidantes, coaches, and friends.
In the coming year, Camp Fire USA celebrates 100 years of looking ahead and building confident, caring youth and future leaders. As donors and volunteers for this forward looking organization, you have helped to make this program as successful as it is passing the light undimmed to the next generation. Here is a brief timeline of the Camp Fire history.
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. In Des Moines, a council is formed.
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 begins serving both boys and girls.
1914
Dr. Luther Gulick and his daughter, Frances, conduct the first national training course for Camp Fire Guardians during the summer session at Iowa State College, Now Iowa State University
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.
1919
Camp Hantesa was founded near Boone, Iowa at the Boy Scout camp at Ledges State Park under the Table Rock.
1922
Camp Canwita was Founded in Ames, Iowa, a gift of land from Walter and Inis Grove.
1924
Camp Hantesa moves to its current location just north of Ledges State Park.
1945
The councils in Des Moines, joined with the councils in Ames and Newton and councils from several other Iowa cities to form the Heart of the Hawkeye Council.
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 change 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 100 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.
1977
Boys join the Camp Hantesa experience.
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.
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."
1999
At the national convention in Seattle, the new mission of Camp Fire is announced, "Camp Fire builds caring, confident youth and future leaders." This mission is leading the organization in the new century.
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 member.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2010
Camp Fire USA celebrates 100 years! Through-out the year, councils across the country celebrate. Birthday events were held on March 17, 2010 - the official founder's day. The Centennial celebration culminated on July 31st when thousands of people across the nation celebrated with a moving ceremonial service and simultaneous lighting of a campfire at precisely 7:30 local time.
