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FIRESIDE NEWS Camp Fire
GULF WIND, INC. January-February- March 2016 PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
Camp Fire and Thrive{ology}
Camp Fire was founded in March 1910, by Luther Gulick, M.D. and his wife
Charlotte Gulick as the first nonsectarian and multicultural organization for
girls in the United States. The Gulicks had a vision – connect young woman
to the greater society and help them address the big changes happening in
the lives of women in the early twentieth century. The Gulicks’ ideas served
as the foundation for a nationally represented, locally cherish MOVEMENT
know today as “Camp Fire.”
Serving both boys and girls since 1975, Camp Fire is a youth–centered and
family-focused organization. Through its programmatic philosophy and
program model for developing assets critical for success in life, Camp Fire
continues to build active citizens and strong leaders who are better prepared
for success in school and community.
Since then, Camp Fire has continued to engage youth and teens in building essential skills for life. In 2012,
Camp Fire became the first national youth development organization in the United States to implement the
Thriving framework developed by the Thrive Foundation for Youth.
Camp Fire’s Thrive{ology} Framework Every Camp Fire program employs our proven methodology for helping youth thrive. We call it Thrive{ology}. It's a proven methodology to help youth find their sparks and discover who they are. Our trained, caring adult leaders then nurture that discovery, giving youth the tools they need to become leaders in their community, school, or their peer group today. Our approach enables youth to achieve their full potential through four components:
1. Identify sparks Identifying and growing Sparks and Spark Champions.
2. Growth Adopting a growth mindset (the belief that you can learn new skills all the time).
3. Goals Building goal management skills.
4. Reflect Creating the opportunity to reflect on activities and outcomes.
Youth also see Camp Fire staff as their spark champions. In a recent survey, 83% of youth said adults in Camp Fire encouraged them to explore the things they are interested in, and 82% of youth said adults in Camp Fire help them solve problems instead of telling them what to do.
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Wild & Wise Nature Day Camp Join the Fun!
Join us this summer as Camp Fire Kids explore
Florida nature and wildlife! The camper’s goal is to
complete the Camp Fire Trail to Environment Emblem
program. Through Camp Fire Wise Old Willie program,
children discover outdoor basics and learn about ecology
and the 3 R’s: reduces, reuse and recycle. Students
learn about Florida flora and fauna though Project WILD
hands-on activities from the Florida Game & Wildlife
Conservation Commission. Additionally, campers
complete a community service project to keep the earth
healthy and give service to others.
Also, Camp Fire will get the kids moving and healthier with the Camp Fire Wise Kids® program. Through hands-on activities, kids will learn about energy balance, enjoy healthy snacks and explore more of the outdoors. New this year, is an archery program to get the children more active. T-shirt included. When: June 1 – ending date varies with each camp location Ages: 5 - 12 years as of June 1, 2016 Time: 7 am – 5:30 pm Fee: one-time $20 registration fee and $50 activity fee plus weekly fee Activities: nature, outdoor adventure, hikes, camp challenges, friendship building, special guests, movies, skits, conflict resolution & decision making, environmental learning, games, music, literacy and self-reliance projects, water fun, crafts, and archery.
For more information about schedules and pricing, please contact each center.
Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center 850-256-0953 Day Camp @ Beulah Elementary School 850-476-1760 Camp Fire PSC Child Development Center 850-484-1524 Camp Fire Milton Clubhouse 850-476-1760
VPK Registration Give your child a jump start! Camp Fire offers a high-quality Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program where children develop new skills, enhance Reading abilities, and make new friends. They improve their communication and social skills under the supervision of trained, qualified and caring adults in manageable class sizes. Additionally, children have both indoor and outdoor experiences with opportunities for creative play.
There is always something fun and interesting happening at Camp Fire VPK. To
register for Fall 2016, your child MUST be 4 years old by September 1, 2016.
For more information about registration, activities and schedules, please contact each center: Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center 850-256-0953
Camp Fire PSC Child Development Center 850-484-1524
2015 Summer Camp at Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center.
NEWS FLASH!!! Coming this summer! Teen In Action Leadership program for youth 13-15 years of age.
The TIA Leadership program will be held at the Wedgewood Community Center starting May 31, 2016.
Dates/Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. To register contact the Camp Fire office at 850-476-1760.
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CALENDAR & EVENTS
VPK Graduation Day Mark your calendars & save the date!
Both Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center and
Camp Fire Pensacola State College Child Development
Center will honor the VPK students and their
achievements at a graduation ceremony at their
respective centers. Parents, grandparents and other
family members are invited to join Camp Fire on
Thursday, May 24th at 6 pm at Child Development
Center at PSC and on Friday, May 25th at 6 pm at
Century Youth Learning Center for this special
celebration.
Upcoming Dates and Reminders
April:
4/1 Camp Fire Day Camp Registration Begins 4/1-4/30 Camp Fire VPK Online Registration 4/21 Volunteer Appreciation Day 4/22 Earth Day 4/22 Keep America Beautiful - Camp Fire - Give Service 4/24 Blue Wahoos & Camp Fire Game Day
May:
5/8 Mother’s Day 5/21 Armed Forces Day 5/26 Last Day of School in Escambia County 5/30 Memorial Day Celebrated
June:
6/1 Last Day of School in Santa Rosa County 6/1 Camp Fire Summer Camp Begins 6/14 Flag Day 6/19 Father’s Day
July:
7/4 4th of July Celebration
Blue Wahoos Camp Fire Day
Sunday, April 24, 2016 Game starts at 4:00 pm
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos will host Camp Fire Gulf Wind Inc. at a group outing at the April 24th baseball game against the Jackson Generals. Group discount tickets are available in advance only and must be purchased from the Camp Fire office. Camp Fire kids will be recognized on the videoboard!
Join the fun and buy your tickets now!
Advanced Tickets: $8 /adults for reserve seating $7/child for reserved seating
This is also MacDonald’s Family Sunday with fun activities for the kids. Kids bring your glove and play catch on the field after the game! DEADLINE to purchase tickets is April 8, 2016. Contact the Camp Fire Office or your child’s Camp Fire Director.
Volunteer Appreciation Day
April 21, 2016 is Volunteer Appreciation
Day. Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. staff and
families give a huge thank you to all of our
dedicated volunteers. These amazing
people help us to achieve the Camp Fire
purpose of helping America’s youth
prepare for life. A heartfelt thank you to
Camp Fire Board members, the Grannies,
the UWF intern and those who gave time
and service to light the fire within.
What is your connection with Camp Fire? We are looking for you!!
Are you a Camp Fire Alumni? Whether you spent your summer at camp, discovered Camp Fire after-school programs, or earned emblems in a club, you will always be a part of the Camp Fire family. Being a part of the Camp Fire family, means we share one Camp Fire experience. We invite Camp Fire Alumni to reconnect today and share your story. Sign up in the Wo-He-Lo Room on the Camp Fire website at http://campfirekids.com/ or call Camp Fire office at 850-476-1760.
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In the News for 2016 . . .
Camp Fire Annual Meeting Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. held its 2014-2015 annual meeting on Thursday, February 25th at the Scenic
Hills Country Club. Camp Fire staff, board members and special guests were treated to a lovely buffet and an
evening of enjoyment and accomplishments.
A special thank you to Dan Van Gemerden of Danken, Inc. for his generous years of donations of trees and holiday decorations for the Parade of Trees. Also, heartfelt thank you to Suzy Siddons who donated endless hours to support the Parade of Trees for 3 years. Many awards were presented to our wonderful staff and volunteers for their outstanding accomplishments and long-term commitment to Camp Fire. We are very proud and thankful for all the dedicated employees and volunteers who work so hard for Camp Fire on a daily basis and to the children and families of the Camp Fire centers.
Congratulations to all!!!
Valentine’s for Veterans
Our Passion and Purpose: Helping America’s youth
prepare for life.
Longleaf After-School students make
Valentines for Veterans.
Camp Fire presents special gifts to our
dedicated Volunteers. Congratulations.
Locally, Camp Fire youth expressed
sentiments of caring and sharing in order to
honor and appreciate our Country’s
Veterans and local Law Enforcement. Camp
Fire youth saluted the men and women of
who serve our country by sending valentines
to the local Veteran’s hospital and Law
Enforcement.
Thank you Camp Fire Kids!
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IN THE NEWS FOR 2016 . . .
Camp Fire Absolutely
Incredible Kids
On March 15, 2016, youth in Escambia County celebrated
the 19th annual Camp Fire’s Absolutely Incredible Kid
Day®. Camp Fire honored our county’s youth by asking adults to write simple letters of encouragement and
inspiration to the incredible kids in their lives and/or community. The letters brought smiles to many happy
children in our local communities.
To celebrate the Incredible Kids at Camp Fire, Curious George and the
man in yellow in the fun. The children enjoyed having theirs letter read to
them by the staff, volunteers and special guest.
On February 20, 2016, Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. joined with Pensacola
Police Chief David Alexander III and Blue Wahoos‘ mascot Kazoo for
Letters in the Court at Cordova Mall. The event created awareness for
Camp Fire’s AIKD letter-writing campaign. These letter-writing
opportunities gave many people in our community a chance to participate,
including many businesses, college and community organizations, and the
local sports teams wrote amazing letters to our local students.
With the help of the community, Camp Fire Gulf Wind Inc. collected more
than 1200 handwritten letters that were delivered in Escambia County
School Districts Just imagine the impact these encouraging letters made
on the students who received them.
.
VPK kids enjoy a visit with special guests for AIKD.
Happy 106th Birthday Camp Fire.
Pensacola Police
Chief David Alexander III at AIKD
Special Thank you!
Camp Fire acknowledges the continued
support from these generous donors:
Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Kahn for assistance with the
expansion of the WILD & WISE Nature Camp.
Bill Van Horn & Company for funding additional
equipment.
Bill Haven for his backing of the Product Sale.
He was the Top Seller for 2015.
Camp Fire is grateful for your support!
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LEARNING CENTERS & AFTER-SCHOOL NEWS
Camp Fire kids stay busy throughout the year! In January, the children studied Martin Luther King,
Jr. and explored Black History.
In February, the students created and presented Valentine’s cards for the Veterans, Police Officers
and Fire Fighters. Also, the students were able to enjoy some outdoor activities and games during the nicer
winter days. The children learned about winter and Ground Hog Day
For March, the students enjoyed a week of fun reading and activities honoring Dr. Seuss. The children
also celebrated Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® on March 15th by reading and sharing the inspiring letters they
received. The centers honored the Camp Birthday on March 17th with a cake and the children singing Happy
Birthday! Also, Camp Fire VPK celebrated the 100th day of school by creating great art projects, such as the
100th day capes. At our Centers, the children learned about spring and had an Easter egg hunt. The children
in Century visited the Century Rehabilitation Center, where they also enjoyed and Easter egg hunt. At PSC Center, the children enjoyed visits with special guests with PBS Kids and Dr. Seuss’s Cat in
the Hat. In Century, children delighted in a visit with the Fire Department and a special visit to Farm Day to
learn about farm animals.
The students at Longleaf After-School have also been busy on homework, tutoring and creating works
of art. On nice days, they relish their time outdoors playing games.
April may bring showers, but hopefully it will give the students more time to explore the outdoors and
nature.
Kids enjoy reading at Longleaf.
PSC VPK celebrate 100th day of school.
Hurry! Hurry! Fire Department visit to Century
Center.
Camp Fire VPK explore farm life in Century.
PSC Kids welcome the Easter Bunny!
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CAMP FIRE CORE VALUES
Children and youth are our most precious
resources.
We believe in an approach to youth development
that builds assets and empowers individuals.
We believe that the best youth development
occurs in small groups where children and youth
are actively involved in creating their own learning.
We are committed to co-education, providing
opportunity for boys, girls, and families together.
We provide caring, trained, mentors to work with
children and youth.
We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and
adults regardless of age, religion, socioeconomic
status, disability, or other aspects of diversity.
We respect and celebrate Nature.
We foster leadership, engaging children and youth
to give service and make decisions in a democratic
society.
We provide safe, fun, and nurturing environments
for children and youth.
We enrich parents and other adult lives by
expanding their skills and encouraging them to
share their talents and to build relationships with
children and youth.
We respond to community needs with our
programs and expertise
We advocate on behalf of children, youth and
families.
Developing Youth to Their Full Potential
Camp Fire’s passion and purpose is to develop youth to their
full potential. We are able to accomplish this by providing
programs to youth through our community.
Camp Fire youth engage in a fun, environmental summer
program which introduces the campers to Florida wildlife and
conservation.
Yes, I want to help develop young people to their full
potential and support the environmental summer camp
program.
If you would like to help with the development of youth,
please complete the form below and return it to:
Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc.
1814 Creighton Road
Pensacola, Florida 32504-7212
Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift for: ____ $25 _____ $50
_____ $75 ____ Other $_________
This gift is in honor of:______________________________
Please send an acknowledgement to:
Name_________________________ Phone:________________
Company Name_______________________________________
Address______________________________________________
City__________________________ State:_____ Zip:__________
Email________________________________________________
Are you a Camp Fire Alumni? _____ YES _____ NO
New/Increased gift Please list my gift as anonymous Please restrict my gift for: ______________________________(purpose/program) I would like more information about Camp Fire. I would like information about volunteer opportunities with Camp Fire.
Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. thanks you for your support.
Published and produced by:
CAMP FIRE GULF WIND, INC.
1814 Creighton Road
Pensacola, FL 32534-7212
850-476-1760
Fax 850-476-6614
www.campfirekids.com
Have some special news you would like to share
with Camp Fire? Contact Pat Madison at the
office at [email protected].
Camp Fire Motto: Give Service