FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jacqueline Gibson, Program Director, Heart of the Hawkeye Council
Telephone: 515-274-1501
E-mail: jacqueline@campfireusaia.com

Community Invited to celebrate Camp Fire’s Birthday!
Camp Fire USA Turns 100 Years Old and Celebrates Centennial Birthday On March 13

[Des Moines, Iowa — March 4, 2010] – Everyone loves a good birthday party. On March 17, 2010, Camp Fire USA is celebrating it’s 100th birthday. The community, current Camp Fire club members, alumni and their families, are invited to celebrate Camp Fire’s birthday by attending a birthday party on March 13, 2010. The party will be held at the Camp Fire Service Center, 5615 Hickman Road, Des Moines, Iowa, 50310 from 1-3 pm. Club youth are encouraged to bring 100 pennies as their "birthday present" to the council. This money will help support clubs and other Camp Fire programs in the area. The party will include birthday cake, songs, group games, Camp Fire memorabilia and party favors. Sponsors include: Competitive Edge and Adventureland and a hosts of volunteers.

Camp Fire USA was founded by Luther and Charlotte Gulick in Vermont. The organization was known as Camp Fire Girls when it first began in 1910. Camp Fire USA became a coeducational organization in 1975. Camp Fire Girls of America was first recognized as a national group in Washington, D.C. in 1912. This is the same year a council was formed in Des Moines. Club programming began in 1913 with a program called "Blue Birds". The Blue Bird level is now known as the "Starflight" level and serves youth in kindergarten, first, and second grades. The "Adventure" program was added in 1983 and serves youth in third, fourth, and fifth grades. Club’s "Discovery" program, serving youth in sixth and seventh grades was added in 1962. Lastly, a program for High School youth, called "Teens in Action", was added to encourage youth to stay engaged in their community with service learning and community service type projects.

Camp Fire USA’s Camp Hantesa, was founded near Boone at Ledges State Park in 1919. Camp Hantesa is a resident camp that also offers year round programming. In 1945, councils from Des Moines and surrounding areas joined to form the Heart of the Hawkeye Council.

Camp Fire USA is one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, currently serving 735,000 participants annually. Camp Fire provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. Camp Fire USA’s mission is to build caring, confident youth, and future leaders. By design, Camp Fire’s programs (including small group experiences, after school programs, camping and environmental education, child care and service learning) build confidence in younger children and provide hands-on, youth-driven leadership experiences for older youth. For more information, visit www.campfireusaia.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2010                                                                                                            

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
Jacqueline Gibson, Program Director, Heart of the Hawkeye Council
Telephone: 515-274-1501
E-mail: jacqueline@campfireusaia.com  

CANDY GOOD FOR YOUTH, COMMUNITY and OUR TROOPS!

Annual Camp Fire USA Candy Sale Benefits Greater Des Moines
and Its Youth By Supporting Programs and the U.S. Military

[Des Moines, Iowa — January 22, 2010] – Consumers throughout America have discovered that candy really is good for kids, their communities and honoring our U.S. Military. Each year, Camp Fire USA youth members across the country sell approximately 2 million units of candy, generating thousands of dollars for their councils. These efforts coupled with support from Des Moines, Indianola, Clarion/Belmond, Boone and Tama citizens and businesses help maintain a full range of programs and services that directly enrich the lives of youth in our area and better our community. Consumers also have the option to send candy to U.S. military troops overseas.

The Camp Fire USA Candy Sale is a decades-old tradition for the 100-year-old national youth development organization. Generations of Camp Fire boys and girls have dutifully served the organization by selling candy. As they plan and implement the local Candy Sale, these youth are giving back to Camp Fire USA and learning important life skills in the process. From January 21st through February 23rd the Heart of the Hawkeye Council will be conducting its annual Candy Sale, and proceeds will be applied toward its club programs.

“Boys and girls who participate in the annual Camp Fire USA Candy Sale are taking part in a unique learning opportunity emphasizing presentation skills, public speaking, math skills, teamwork, responsibility, confidence and goal-setting,” said Jacqueline Gibson, program director, Camp Fire USA Heart of Hawkeye Council, Des Moines, Iowa. “They have fun, too, and may not even realize they’re learning very valuable assets.”

Varieties of candy available include Brown and Haley’s Creamy Smooth Mint Patties, Almond Caramel Clusters, Almond Roca Buttercrunch and Adams and Brooks, Inc. P’Nuttles Butter Toffee Peanuts. Each box sells for $5 each.

On January 23rd at Merle Hay Mall we kick off our annual candy sale with a candy sculpting contest. Different organizations and non-profits are invited to compete against each other by building a structure with Camp Fire candy. It is a wonderful way for these organizations to show support, by bringing attention to the fundraiser and their own organizations. The sculptures are left on display for up to two weeks with their marketing materials.

“Purchasing Camp Fire USA candy is a simple way for consumers to support the youth of our community by encouraging such an outstanding educational benefit. With just a few dollars, you can make an investment that has immeasurable returns,” said Jacqueline Gibson. 

Camp Fire USA candy can also be purchased to send oversees to our U.S. troops. At the end of February, the council puts together a huge care package that is sent off to our country’s military personnel as just a way of saying thank you from Camp Fire USA and its supporting community.

Camp Fire USA candy can be purchased for one’s self, as a unique gift or incentive item. Companies have chosen to use Camp Fire candy, in its playful and brightly-colored packaging, to promote to their employees and constituents the value of community involvement. Candy can be purchased directly from the council by calling 515-274-1501. 

Also, be on the lookout for Camp Fire USA selling candy at the following locations:

SITE SALES

Candy Sale Kickoff Event @ Merle Hay Mall in the Food Court January 23rd from 9-11

• Merle Hay Mall in the Food Court January 24 and February 6 from 12-5
• Van and Bonnie’s FREE Chocolate Breakfast @ Hy-Vee Hall Conference Center
  • 5820 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines
  • January 29 from 5-9AM
• Camp Fire USA Service Center 5615 Hickman Rd, DM
  • January 21 through Feb 23, 2010 from 8-5

 And remember, while the Candy Sale runs for only a short time, Camp Fire USA programs benefit youth year-round!

Camp Fire USA is one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, currently serving 735,000 participants annually. Camp Fire, with national headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1977, provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. Camp Fire USA’s mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. By design, Camp Fire’s programs, including small group experiences, after school programs, camping and environmental education, child care and service learning, build confidence in younger children and provide hands-on, youth-driven leadership experiences for older youth. For more information, visit www.campfireusa.org.

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This event is held at Westridge Elementary in West Des Moines on November 21, from 10:00 am to Noon. At the Fun Run, the Camp Fire Kids will run, skip, hop, dance and walk their way through the event. The emphasis is on activity and fun. In addition to the Fun Run, kids will take part in a carnival that will be held at Westridge at the same time.

The runners are sponsored by their families, neighbors and friends to raise money for their clubs and Camp Fire USA programs. We are privileged to get tremendous support from the community by way of local organizations such as American Heart Association, ERG Inc., Casey’s General Stores and Bankers Trust/Raun Company.

This event is free to the public. Children and their families are encouraged to participate and receive an honorary award. The carnival has very affordable games and snacks. All proceeds help support programming.

Camp Fire USA is an all-inclusive, co-educational youth development organization helping young people learn to be better stewards of their communities, their world and themselves. Camp Fire USA serves nearly three quarters of a million young people annually with community-based experiential learning programs that are socially responsible and environmentally focused. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire USA is one of America’s oldest national youth development organizations. We will be celebrating 100 years of service to the community next year.

Camp Fire USA Heart of the Hawkeye Council has had a local presence since 1913. More than 10,000 Central Iowa youth are involved in a variety of programs that emphasize social responsibility. The council is best known for our summer day camp programs throughout the greater Des Moines area and Camp Hantesa in Boone.

If you would like to learn more about Camp Fire USA in Central Iowa, call 515-274-1501.

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