Camp Fire

CAMP FIRES MISSION IS EXPRESSED AS A PROMISE: YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO SHAPE THE WORLD. CAMP FIRE PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND THEIR SPARK, LIFT THEIR VOICE, AND DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE. IN CAMP FIRE, IT BEGINS NOW.

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS PROVIDED AT SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGH THE LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND ONE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGH A PERMIT AGREEMENT WITH THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND MARINE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AT DE FOREST PARK IN NORTH LONG BEACH. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO ENROLLED STUDENTS. APPROXIMATELY 600 STUDENTS ARE SERVED DAILY DURING THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR AND ANOTHER 300 DURING SUMMER PROGRAM TIME. THE WRAP PROGRAM (WINNERS REACHING AMAZING POTENTIAL) EMPHASIZES ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT THAT IS SCHOOL-SITE SPECIFIC. CAMP FIRES RESEARCH-BASED SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL THRIVE {OLOGY} CURRICULUM IS AT THE FOUNDATION OF PROGRAM SERVICE, AND IS MEASURED ANNUALLY BY EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS. 90% OF STAFF REPORT THAT OUR COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH PROGRAM QUALITY ASSESSMENTS AND IMPROVEMENT PLANNING. 97% OF STUDENTS REPORTED THAT ADULTS AT CAMP FIRE LISTEN TO ME. 98% OF STUDENTS REPORT THEY HELP OTHER KIDS, EVEN IF THEY ARENT THEIR CLOSE FRIENDS. CAMP FIRE MEASURES SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING INDICATORS INCLUDING SOCIAL SKILLS (EMPATHY AND INCLUSIVENESS), LIFE SKILLS (PROBLEM SOLVING/PREPAREDNESS), CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PURPOSE, AND CONFIDENCE.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND CAMPS OUTDOOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE DAY CAMPS (SHIWAKA, BACKYARD BUNCH AND BEACH CRUISERS), INTERSESSION AND SUMMER DAY CAMPS THROUGH WRAP, RESIDENT CAMP (CAMP WINTAKA AND CAMP WASEWAGAN), AND SPECIALTY CAMP DAYS. CAMPS OFFER SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING SOCIAL SKILLS (INCLUSIVENESS AND EMPATHY), LIFE SKILLS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PURPOSE AND CONFIDENCE. CAMP PROGRAMS ARE ALSO PERIODICALLY MONITORED THROUGH OUTCOME MEASUREMENT CONDUCTED THROUGH SURVEYS DEVELOPED AND SUMMARIZED BY EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS. CAMP FIRE OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENSURE PROGRAM EXPERIENCES FOR CAMPERS OF ALL ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. CAMP FIRE CAMPS ARE ACCREDITED THROUGH THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION, PROMISING RIGOROUS STANDARDS-BASED COMPLIANCE OF OVER 300 AREAS INCLUDING SITE, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

TEEN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP 6TH-12TH GRADERS PARTICIPATE IN YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS INCLUDING THRIVE THROUGH DISCOVERY, HORIZON TEENS IN ACTION, SHIWAKA DAY CAMP AIDES (DCA), YOUTH LEADER TEAM (YLT), AND COUNSELOR IN TRAINING PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS IMPLEMENT THRIVE {OLOGY} METHODS FOR SUCCESS. PROGRAMS ARE PROGRESSIVE AND AS YOUTH MOVE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY, TO INTERVIEW, AND TO TAKE NOTES AS PRACTICE IN LIFE SKILLS. THESE PROGRAMS CULTIVATE LEADERSHIP THAT IS APPLIED THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AND OUTDOOR/CAMP EXPERIENCES AS DCAS, YLTS, AND COUNSELORS. CHALLENGE COURSE A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM SOLVING AND TEAM-BUILDING THROUGH CHALLENGE BY CHOICE ACTIVITIES ON CAMP FIRES LOW AND HIGH ROPE COURSES. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY, SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHER 501(C)3 ORGANIZATIONS.