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.

CAMP FIRE CLUBS/GROUPS CAMP FIRES ORIGINAL PROGRAMS WERE CAMPS AND CAMP FIRE GROUPS/CLUBS, AND BOTH ARE STILL OFFERED TODAY. CAMP FIRE GROUPS ARE FORMED WITH VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP, USUALLY PARENTS AND CAN HAVE UP TO 15 MEMBERS AND MUST HAVE TWO LEADERS. CAMP FIRE GROUPS MAINTAIN THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS AS ALL OTHER CAMP FIRE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FINGERPRINTING THROUGH LIVESCAN AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. THESE GROUPS TYPICALLY MEET THREE TIMES A MONTH, USUALLY AFTER SCHOOL OR IN THE EARLY EVENING. THE CURRICULUM IS THRIVE{OLOGY} BASED, AND OUTCOMES ARE MEASURED ANNUALLY BY EXTERNAL EVALUATORS. CAMP FIRE GROUPS PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WHICH MAKE POSSIBLE LARGER SCALE SERVICE PROJECTS DEPENDENT ON GREATER NUMBERS OF PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. ALL GROUPS ALSO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH LOW-IMPACT CAMP PRINCIPLES, WORK PARTIES LIKE BEACH AND CAMP CLEAN-UPS, AND OUTDOOR SCIENCE EXPERIENCES IN SUMMER DAY CAMPS.