Who We Are
Camp Fire USA Heart of the Hawkeye Council is proud to provide a diverse array of programs year-round that enhance educational enrichment, promote civic engagement, and provide opportunities for experiencing the nature. In partnership with committed volunteers and staff, Camp Fire gives young people the tools and skills they need to be successful at school, at home, and in our community.
Camp Fire Cares
Camp Fire cares for children in the out-of-school-time hours through a variety of quality child care and camping opportunities.
Camp Fire USA Heart of the Hawkeye Council offers before- and after-school care in Prairie City and Pleasantville, as well as full day, school-break and summer day camping programs supporting the child care needs of families. Children participate in indoor and outdoor age appropriate small group activities where they can explore personal interests, learn to make healthy choices, develop social skills, and have fun.
Camp Fire Camps
Camp Fire provides opportunities for children and youth to be outside to learn, explore, and play together, while developing a lifelong appreciation and respect for the outdoor environment.
Camp Fire USA Heart of the Hawkeye Council provides summer day camps through sites in Des Moines and our camps Canwita in Ames and Hantesa in near Boone, and overnight camps, trip and travel programs, and adventure challenge and environmental education at our Camp Hantesa. These options provide opportunities for youth to be part of a community that utilizes outdoor activities to stimulate their curiosity and desire to learn.
Camp Fire Contributes
Camp Fire contributes to the community by engaging youth in educational, enrichment, and service-learning programs that address social issues and build life skills.
Camp Fire USA Heart of the Hawkeye Council provides interactive courses and short-term programs in areas such as self-reliance, peer pressure, healthy living, financial literacy, civic engagement, and job training. Participants in Camp Fire programs also regularly give service to their community, through service learning activities.
Camp Fire Connects
Camp Fire connects children with caring, trained adults in a small group atmosphere, while also connecting families with each other in their communities.
Camp Fire USA Heart of the Hawkeye Council does this by offering age appropriate youth, and teen clubs. Using outcome rich curriculum, groups choose from a variety of fun and educational activities and projects. Clubs meet regularly throughout the year and participants may be involved over many years. Camp Fire USA also offers this opportunity to youth in school through the navigator programs and other programs that are designed to help youth in transitional years to successfully graduate from high school.
What Makes Camp Fire Unique?
- Camp Fire is Co-ed, serving boys and girls ages 3 -18
- Camp Fire is Proactive, giving youth the skills to be successful rather than managing them when they fall into crisis
- Camp Fire is Long-term, serving youth from the earliest years to young adulthood
- Camp Fire strives to cultivate a culturally-competent and inclusive community that welcomes and embraces youth and families of diverse cultures, beliefs, experiences, and identities.
- Camp Fire employs Best Practices* in youth development with research tested curricula that guide youth through experiences that foster self-esteem, leadership, and cooperation
* Camp Fire curriculum is linked to the nationally developed McRel Education Standards, supporting and enriching our after-school programs.
