Tell Me More About Camp Fire Clubs
At Camp Fire, we Light the Fire Within!
Camp Fire’s core purpose is to help youth prepare for life. Camp Fire helps youth dig deep inside and discover their “sparks,” their personally defined nuggets of potential.
Our CLUB PROGRAM is at the center for how we provide the experiences and the support that help young people become who they want to be.
Camp Fire believes that the small group atmosphere is the best way to help children learn and focus on positive youth development outcomes. Camp Fire club programs offer children activities that are age-appropriate, fun and will result in the accumulation of assets that will lead to productive, healthy lives.
Camp Fire is open to everyone. The uniqueness of young people and their families is embraced. Every child – no matter what – is celebrated every day…no exceptions.
Our programs are built around sound youth THRIVE development principles. The focus of our curriculum is based on asset building – helping youth become healthy, caring, principled and productive adults.
The Camp Fire Club program is organized in many ways. Generally, this is a small group program which meets with youth of similar ages. The club may meet weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly over a school year (generally September – May). Many clubs meet after school, evenings or on weekends so that working parents can participate. The program has volunteer leaders who receive training and support from volunteer mentors.
Club Program Content:
Camp Fire has developed national program standards and materials that thread together Camp Fire’s core values and research-based scales for quality assessment that are incorporated into all programs.
Camp Fire Curriculum Levels:
- Starflight: Kindergarten through second grade
- Adventure: Third through fifth grade
- Discovery: Sixth through eighth grade
- Horizon: Ninth through twelfth grade
The Wohelo Medallion is the highest youth achievement level in Camp Fire.
Starting or Joining a Camp Fire Club
Growing up takes a lifetime, but your child gets a “head start” as a part of a Camp Fire club. Our program is operated by volunteers and is a family focused program that encourages parents to participate.
“How are New Groups formed?”
New groups are formed when two or more interested adults agree to work together as club leaders.
Interested parents submit an interest form (see link below) to the office and a club volunteer will contact them about scheduling an orientation meeting. At the orientation meeting, parents receive information and materials that will help them to form a new club.
When two adults have signed up to form a new club, a training meeting is held to help them get their club started.
A volunteer mentor is assigned to help answer their questions throughout the year.
“How much time will Camp Fire take?”
When your child joins a Camp Fire club, you become part of the team dedicated to providing a safe and high quality experience for your child.
The parents meet with the dedicated leaders to determine how often and when the club will meet. Depending on the age of the group, and what kind of activity is planned, meetings generally last 1½ to 2 hours.
Parents are asked to share some of the duties, such as planning a field trip, sharing a skill or interest at a meeting, providing a healthy snack, or holding a meeting in their home.
Your child needs all the time you can give.
“How much does it cost?”
The annual program fee for one child is $60. At least one adult must register with the child for $25. There is a family membership for $95 that covers 2 parents, 1 child in the program, and any siblings who may attend club activities with the family. Each additional child in the program is $60.
“Can my child join an existing club?”
It may be very difficult to find a club to match the age and program level of your child. It is up to the leaders of the existing clubs as to whether they can accommodate another child. The best outcome for your child may depend upon you helping us find two or more friends who are willing to start a new club.
Camp Fire Golden Empire is currently committed to growing new club programs in the following service areas: Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, Placer and Solano counties
CLICK HERE TO SEND INTEREST FORM
