About

The Camp Fire Difference

At Camp Fire, We Light the Fire Within

Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status, and any other category people use to define themselves or others. We strive to create safe and inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships.

CAMP FIRE IS LED BY PROFESSIONAL, CARING ADULTS, USING PROVEN METHODS

Leaders are highly trained role models, who encourage young people to be all they can be.

CAMP FIRE IS OPEN TO ANYONE

We embrace the uniqueness of every youth, teen, and family we serve.

CAMP FIRE IS PARTICIPANT-CENTERED, IDENTIFYING PASSIONS AND SPARKS

Youth are actively engaged and are given a voice, which helps build self-esteem and self-reliance.

CAMP FIRE HELPS DEVELOP ABILITIES NOW.

We provide a strong foundation for young people so that they prepare for the present and the future.

THRIVE{OLOGY}

Our Proven Path to Youth Success

Discover sparks, gain self-confidence, and learn life-changing life skills to thrive now! Thrive{ology} is our research-based program framework founded on the pillars of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and it works:

01.

IDENTIFY YOUR SPARKS

Sparks are the things that make you come alive! What excites you, gives you energy, motivation, and purpose? It can be an activity (basketball) or a cause (social justice).

02.

DEVELOP A GROWTH MINDSET

Learn to push past obstacles, take risks, believe you can learn a new skill at any time, and don’t give up. Kids and adults with a GROWTH MINDSET are more successful in life.

03.

LEARN GOAL MANAGEMENT

Decide what you want to strive for and determine how to get there. Learn to adjust your plan if needed or what kind of support and accountability you want.

04.

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Find your “aha moments,” whether it’s learning from a mistake or failure, realizing why you were successful, what you like or don’t like, what you want, what you’re proud of…

POLICY ON INCLUSION

At Camp Fire, Everyone has a Place

Camp Fire Recognizes Dignity and Worth

As one of the nation’s leading youth development organizations, Camp Fire takes pride in its long-standing commitment to providing programs and services to all youth and families.

Camp Fire’s Statement of Inclusion:

Camp Fire works to realize the dignity and worth of each individual and to eliminate human barriers based on all assumptions which prejudge individuals.

Our program standards are designed and implemented to reduce sexual, racial, religious and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships. In Camp Fire, everyone is welcome.

History of Camp Fire

Camp Fire Sunshine Central Florida can trace our roots in the greater Lakeland area back to 1918. We’re proud of our heritage of cultivating community building, supporting academic readiness, and embracing diversity.

Camp Fire (formerly Camp Fire Girls) was founded in 1910 by Luther Gulick, M.D., and his wife, Charlotte Gulick. They created Camp Fire to guide young people on their journey to self-discovery. The Gulicks felt strongly that young people should have experiences so they could learn to care for themselves, their environment, and the people around them. Camp Fire was America’s first nonsectarian and multicultural organization for girls.

In 1975, Camp Fire became a coeducational organization. Bringing boys and girls together, they learn to play and work alongside each other and appreciate their similarities and differences in positive ways. Today, locally and nationally Camp Fire programs serve roughly equal numbers of boys and girls who learn together and work together.

Today, as always in our history, we honor our mission. Our purpose. Our impact. And it all comes down to this: Igniting the Spark in young people. This is what we believe. This is what we know.