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Camp Fire clubs are always forming. It just takes a few motivated kids and adults to make it happen! Since clubs are co-ed, families with similarly-aged boys and girls can work together on activities.
Check out our Family Nature Clubs here!
What is a club?
Camp Fire clubs are community based, organized and ran by.. well, you! Clubs are arranged by age and geographical location. Clubs meet during the school year and we provide the training, the framework, the materials, and the support for each club. A volunteer adult leader guides, coaches, and supervises the club's progress which differ depending on age.
Camp Fire USA club programs have four important qualities:
- Progression
- Variety
- Partnership between youth and adults
- Rewards and recognition
What do clubs do?
Through their local club, youths have an opportunity to try new things and experience a taste of arts, camping, crafts, business, community service and more. If a club or child enjoys that initial experience, they may choose to pursue more in-depth projects and aim for higher awards and honors.
Clubs meet at least once a month. Many clubs choose to meet more often! In addition to club meetings focused on Trail progressions, participants can enjoy camps and events such as camp-outs, field trips, collecting emblems, and even showcasing their talents in the state fair!
Levels
Each club is given a level designation based on the age range of the participants. Each level has different activities and projects to pursue.
The Levels
- Little Stars: Preschool
- Starflight: Kindergarten through second grades
- Adventure: Third through fifth grades
- Discovery: Sixth through eighth grades
- Teens in action: Ninth through twelth grades
Trails
Though the activities differ according to age, each club aims to follow various "Trails". A trail is a focused exploration of a particular topic. The trail programming is designed to emphasize:
- cultural diversity
- self reliance
- camping
- conservation
- leadership
- community service
- health and science
The Trails
- Family and Community
- Knowing Me
- Environment
- Creativity
- Future
Emblems
This is the rewards and recognition part of the Club program! Club members can earn all sorts of emblems:
Costs
- Yearly membership dues $15
- Vest $14 (The preferred way to showcase all your emblems!)
- Club Dues $1-$4 per meeting
- Emblems $1-$3 each
- Events costs vary depending on the event
Family Nature Clubs
The Family Nature Club is a new program idea born out of the Leave No Child Inside national movement. It is a new, creative program which will get families outside to experience nature together, whether that be in a structured program or just exploring the woods on their own. Families will benefit from being outside in the fresh air, enjoying healthy physical activity, fellowship with other families that share similar interests, learning life-long outdoor skills, and engaging in environmental service projects. Families may have an interest in this type of activity but don’t know where to begin, don’t have the experience or the equipment. Single parent families, especially, may need support in order to successfully learn and engage in outdoor activities. This program answers that need!
This project is designed to give families an ongoing opportunity to experience nature with a small group of like minded families. Groups of families consisting of 2 – 10 families will get together on a monthly basis to engage in an outdoor activity. Camp Fire will facilitate these meetings by providing a schedule of outdoor events in the area, specifically at the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, a collaborating partner. We will also conduct outdoor programming at Camp Wyandot. These programs will include programming that is set and established by the Metro Parks, special requests for programming from Metro Parks naturalists and/or other experts based on the interest of the group, and primitive camping and outdoor living skills taught and implemented at Camp Wyandot or other public park. The families will be part of the Camp Fire Club program with a specific interest in outdoor programming and skills. Camp Fire will maintain a store of outdoor equipment availalbe to loan to Family Nature Club members such as cook gear, tents, and backpacks. Each club will establish how often they will meet and may choose from a variety of program offerings throughout the region. Each quarter Camp Fire will offer a program that teaches a specific outdoor skill. The year will culminate in family camp out at Camp Wyandot or at public park of their choice.
The long term benefits are increased physical and mental health, social skills, academic performance, and strengthening of the family unit. In addition, our natural world will benefit by increasing the number of citizens who value and care for the environment. For more information regarding our Family Nature Clubs contact Wes Supper at wes@centralohiocampfire.org
Copyright 2008