Camp Fire National Headquarters HQ
Light the Fire within
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
It’s hard growing up today. Young people spend more than 50 hours per week on screens and 90% of their time indoors. Bullying, anxiety, and suicide rates are soaring. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many of these problems and highlighted new ones as millions of youth became more isolated and were stuck at home. In a world where so many feel disconnected, Camp Fire connects young people to themselves, to each other, to supportive adults, and to the outdoors. Camp Fire intentionally creates safe, inclusive spaces where young people can have fun and be themselves. We do this through a variety of programs (camps, afterschool, in-school, and virtual), customized to meet the needs of youth, their families, and their local community. But the common thread woven through all our programs is a commitment to helping young people navigate the challenges of growing up in the world today.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Teen Service and Leadership
Youth want to shape the world, especially teens! Teen service and leadership programs are vital to building robust communities and creating a better world. To develop this important resource, Camp Fire guides teens through impactful community service and leadership experiences.Teen Service and Leadership provides opportunities for teens learn to develop as effective and engaged citizens.Teens in Action is a youth-led/driven program, guided by trained adults. Through Camp Fire’s service learning program structure, teens learn to identify community needs, decide issues needing advocacy, then take action to make a difference.The National Youth Advisory Cabinet ensures the youth voice is heard, and has weight in policy and decision making within Camp Fire.Camp Fire’s Counselor-in-Training program prepares young people to serve in leadership roles at -Camp Fire camps. This program provides significant personal development and early professional development for participants.
Environmental and Camp Programs
Deep appreciation of nature and environmental stewardship, have been core to Camp Fire as an organization since our founding in 1910. Camp Fire provides opportunities for youth to be outside to learn, explore and grow together while developing a lifelong appreciation of and respect for the nature and the environment. Camp Fire's environmental and camp programs connect young people with power of nature, awakening their senses and sparking their desire to learn. Through Camp Fire's outdoor programs, youth from different backgrounds develop vital skills such as socialization, self-reliance, problem solving, and an appreciation of and commitment to the natural environment. Participants make their own decisions, have fun, and seek adventures. Examples of outdoor programs include: day camp, resident camp, environmental education, summer learning programs, and short-term outdoor programs which include day trips.
School Year Programs
Camp Fire's school year programs are delivered during the school year, primarily serving ages 5–17. Across the country, youth participate in indoor and outdoor age-appropriate small group activities in which they can explore personal interests, learn to make healthy choices, develop social skills, and have fun.A typical after-school program starts with the entire group together, so youth interact with all ages and are not segregated by grade. After a large group activity, the youth participate in small group experiences. These experiences typically include games, arts and crafts, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities, outdoor experiences, and more. After-school programs are participant-led and end with reflection.After-school programs are offered 3–5 days a week during the school year to meet the needs of youth and their families.
Where we work
Awards
Affiliations & memberships
American Camp Association - Member 2013
American Camp Association - Member 2014
American Camp Association - Member 2015
American Camp Association - Member 2016
American Camp Association - Member 2020
American Camp Association - Member 2021
National AfterSchool Association 2021
National AfterSchool Association 2020
National AfterSchool Association 2022
LEAD (Let’s Empower, Advocate and Do) 2021
Outdoors Alliance for Kids 2024
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of students who demonstrate the desire to succeed in the academic setting
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The numbers represent the percentage, not the total number of participants. This number represents the percentage of youth in programs grades 6th -12th , 2023 metric, "I am able to look at problems
Number of students with good social and leadership skills and self-discipline
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number represents the percentage of youth in programs grades 6th -12th , 2023, not the total number of participants, metric: "I offer help and support to others when I think they need it."
Number of students who value social harmony
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The number represents the percentage of youth in our programs grades 6th-12th. This number represents the percentage of youth in programs grades 6th -12th , 2023 metric, "I get along well
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Camp Fire is committed to creating a sustainable organization to serve the youth and families of the present and future. We will do this by offering programs where every young person can be their whole self and connect with others and nature in a safe, affirming environment. We will strive to break down structural barriers and increase access to opportunities that allow youth, families, and whole communities to thrive.
To work towards this vision, we believe in becoming an equity-focused organization. We will act and hold ourselves accountable to five strategic commitments.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
• Increase outreach to and engagement opportunities for Camp Fire alumni.
• Develop professional learning communities for program staff to share high-quality program curriculum, resources, and practices
• Build and expand relationships with partner organizations with shared commitment to expanding access to nature-based experiences
• Invest in Camp Fire program professionals via high-quality professional development, certifications programs, and job opportunities
• Promote environmental stewardship and action through Camp Fire programs and partnerships
• Demonstrate Camp Fire’s commitment to inclusion from first point of contact across all platforms
• Increase network engagement in brand campaigns, including Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, to expand audience publicly engaging with brand
• Evaluate Camp Fire programs through an impact study to publicly communicate the benefits of Camp Fire for young people
• Expand Camp Fire’s visibility as a thought leader on pressing issues for young people growing up today
• Communicate brand value to stakeholders, including alumni, community partners, program participants and their families
• Grow philanthropic revenue from corporations, individuals, and foundations, to expand access and investment in Camp Fire programs
• Expand Camp Fire programming through outreach to new markets
• Communicate benefits of affiliation and expansion of financial benefits in a collective and reciprocal way to Camp Fire affiliates
• Establish mission-driven public-private partnerships
• Grow philanthropic revenue from corporations, individuals, and foundations, to expand access and investment in Camp Fire programs
• Expand Camp Fire programming through outreach to new markets
• Communicate benefits of affiliation and expansion of financial benefits in a collective and reciprocal way to Camp Fire affiliates
• Establish mission-driven public private partnerships
• Engage and motivate Camp Fire affiliates through recognition and reward of innovative and inclusive practices.
• Break down barriers to increase program participation of young people with historically excluded identities.
• Build and expand relationships with community-based organizations with a shared commitment to advancing equity and justice.
• Continue to deepen a culture of inclusion and belonging in Camp Fire workplaces and program spaces
• Invest in professional development to further Camp Fire professionals’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) learning journeys
• Advocate in partnership with young people on issues of equity and justice
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Camp Fire has been an inclusive, innovative leader in youth development since 1910. Camp Fire utilizes a comprehensive program framework that identifies the powerful youth experiences we create, the long-term benefits to young people, and positive societal impact they will have. While we measure the essential skills and mindsets gained in our programs, we know from research that developing these skills leads to greater outcomes that last a lifetime. Our proven, research-based social emotional learning framework is called Thrive{ology}, and is the method we use to teach key life skills young people need to thrive: 1) Identify sparks, 2) Develop a growth mindset, 3) Set and manage their goals, and 4) Take time to reflect.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
FY23-25 strategic focus areas represent collaboratively identified priorities from Camp Fire’s Youth Advisory Cabinet, alumni, affiliate staff members, and National Headquarters. It builds on the foundational strategic priorities identified in FY21 and represents the next chapter and ongoing desire to respond to the needs of young people coupled with operating a sustainable organization in an ever-changing environment. Each goal identifies an area of focus as well as specific strategies to be employed and act as measures of accountability.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Camp Fire National Headquarters
Board of directorsas of 05/02/2024
Ms. Danette Andley
3M Health Care
Term: 2026 - 2024
Ms. Andrea Woods
Compass Group NA/TouchPoint Support Services
Term: 2024 - 2026
Kenneth Schoeneck
Trane Commercial HVAC, NA & EMEA SBU
Andrea Woods
Compass Group NA/Morrison Living
Amber Grundy
Camp Fire River Bend
Madison Green
US Airforce
Cheryl Kreindler
Renee Meek
Camp Fire Green Country
Maggie Bailey
Student
Danette Andley
3M
Ann Sheets
Matt Egan
Siegel+Gale
Terri Ferinde
Collaborative Communications
Quincy Henry
Campfire Coffee
Chris Moore
First Robotics
Jason Peterson
Entrust
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 04/25/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.