Camp Fire Patuxent Area Council

Camp Fire helps youth find their Sparks. We do this through small group, family, and school based programs that are asset based and outcome measurable. These programs include outdoor programs, club programs, self-reliance programs, teen programs, leadership programs and child care programs. Our curriculums can be contracted for use by partner agencies.

THE CAMP FIRE EXPERIENCE Camp Fire is dedicated to improving the lives of young people. The Camp Fire is committed to training youth development professionals, supporting quality programs, and sustaining them for the long term through organizational effectiveness and program quality improvement systems. Helping youth become who they want to be takes time and encouragement. It takes paying attention to what sparks a passion. At Camp Fire we help youth discover the their spark As one of the nation's leading youth development organizations, Camp Fire takes pride in its long-standing commitment to providing programs and services to all youth and families. Leadership. Professional, caring adults. ? Our work with young people is tailored to each individual, guiding them to be their best, a ?best? they define themselves. ? Volunteers and staff are passionate role models, champions of children (through proven, developmental methods) to live into their dreams. ? Programs encourage youth to discover their sparks, that kernel of passion that makes them thrive. Inclusiveness. Camp Fire is open to everyone. ? The uniqueness of all young people and their families is embraced. ? Every child is celebrated every day. No exceptions. ? Participants build lasting relationships with youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds. ? Camp Fire Recognizes Dignity and Worth Camp Fire's Corporate Statement of Inclusion: ? Camp Fire works to realize the dignity and worth of each individual and to eliminate human barriers based on all assumptions which prejudge individuals. ? Our program standards are designed and implemented to reduce sexual, racial, and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships. In Camp Fire, everyone is welcome. Participant driven. ? Camp Fire is led by the youth themselves. ? Each young person sets their best course, in the direction they choose with no rigid checklists. ? Youth are motivated to find their own true voice; their own self-esteem. ? As youth care for others, they also become self-reliance. ? Youth are encouraged to explore their natural sense of curiosity and find their own sparks. About now. ? Camp Fire helps develop abilities today. We build a strong foundation, empowering youth for the present and the future. Programs We impact thousands of communities nationwide through programs that meet or exceed national recognized quality standards in the following categories. Camp Fire program is based on 5 trails which give youth and families an opportunity to explore a full range of activities including personal growth, service and engagement with the community, creative and fine arts, exploration of the out of doors and the natural world, and activities that help youth plan for the future. There are many special projects that allow youth to explore their interests, earn recognition, and demonstrate leadership. Out-of-school-time programs Across the country, Camp Fire provides programs for youth in the out-of-school-time hours through a variety of quality program opportunities. 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. Overall, research has found that being in an out-of-school-time program is related to youth outcomes primarily when the program is high quality. High-quality program participation resulted in consistently better outcomes, compared with being in no program. Specifically, high program quality and high program safety are both positively correlated with three important adolescent outcomes: fewer risk-taking behaviors, higher levels of school performance, and higher levels of social competence. The research on the importance of quality in out-of-school time programs is consistent with research on child care quality, which finds that the quality of child care affects outcomes more than being in a program. The quality of an out-of-school time program appears to matter a great deal for adolescents, even over the effects of parent characteristics and family situation (education, income, and family structure). Developing caring, warm relationships with others, learning life skills, and participating in decision-making in out-of-school time programs are associated with positive outcomes for adolescents.? Camp Fire Out-Of-School-Time programs include: ? Before- and/or After-School Programs: Programs during the school year which meet the needs of youth and their families. Camp Fire partners with school districts, housing authorities and other community organizations to provide educational and recreational programs for youth. This may also include programming for in-service days and school breaks or enrichment activities for other after-school programs. ? Tutoring Programs: Programs which provides out-of-class instruction to address educational trouble spots and strengthen study skills. ? Mentoring: Programs offered to youth with a teen or adult mentor either in a group or individually. The purpose of the program content may be educational, supportive, or consultative. ? Short-Term Courses: Courses provided by trained instructors to teach skills such as healthy living, wellness, fitness, self-confidence, self-reliance, anti-bullying, safety, service-learning and financial education. The courses are generally 8-12 hours in length, and are offered in several sessions. These programs may be offered co-curricularly during the school day or as enrichment programs during out of school time. Camp Fire often partners with school districts, libraries and other community organizations to offer these programs to youth and their families. ? Club Program: Age-appropriate clubs which connect youth with caring, trained adults in a small group atmosphere while also connecting families with one another other in their communities. Using outcome-rich curriculum, groups choose from a variety of fun and educational activities and projects. Clubs meet regularly throughout the year, and youth may be involved over many years. ? Community Family Club: Family program which meets regularly and is designed to continue over a school year or a number of years. A Community Family Club includes youth and adults of various ages and may have volunteer or paid leaders. Outdoor Programs Camp Fire connects youth with nature to learn, explore, and play together, while developing a lifelong appreciation and respect for the outdoor environment. Camp Fire utilizes outdoor activities to stimulate the curiosity and desire to learn in youth. Our programs are aligned with Environmental Education Standards and meet the multidisciplinary approach outlined in Maryland Standards. Through Camp Fire outdoor programs, youth from diverse backgrounds develop important skills, such as socialization, self-reliance, problem solving, and an appreciation of and commitment to the natural environment. They make their own decisions, have fun, and seek adventures. Through a group living experience, youth learn more about themselves and others. Camp Fire outdoor programs begin with selecting activities that grow out of the interests of the youth and the group of youth. Planning, decision-making, and both individual and group choices are important elements of all activities. Camp Fire provides trained staff to ensure that those choices encompass a balance of activities that allow for creativity and provide challenge and adventure. Camp Fire Outdoor Programs include: ? Resident Camp: Programs which are generally five to seven days in length in which youth live at the camp with trained staff. Youth experience adventures and participate in a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, archery, canoeing, horseback riding and environmental education. Camp Fire owns and operates resident camp programs across the country. The program content may be general outdoor activities or have a special focus or theme, such as sports, theatre, adventure, service-learning or grief sessions. Some camps are provided for specialized clientele such as youth with diabetes or special needs. ? Day Camp: An outdoor program provided by trained staff for most of the day and may include extended day program options to meet the needs of working parents. Camp Fire summer day camp programs may be scheduled for one or more weeks and may operate most of the summer. The day camp program may have a special focus or partnership such as sports, environmental, service-learning or special needs. Day camp programs may be provided in partnership with school districts, park and recreation, or other community organizations. ? Environmental Education: Programs provided to increase knowledge and awareness of the natural world. Camp Fire partners with schools, parks and recreation and other organizations to teach youth and adults how to learn about and investigate their environment and how to make informed decisions about how they can take care of it. Environmental education can be taught in a classroom, park, community building or camp. Many Camp Fire camps provide environmental education for local schools. Teen Leadership Programs Camp Fire provides youth the opportunity be leaders today through different types of teen leadership programming: 1) Teens in Action, a youth-led and youth-driven program that focuses on advocacy, service-learning or community service; 2) Youth Advisory Councils, designed to ensure youth voice in council and program planning and decision-making; and, 3) Counselor-in-Training programs, focused on supporting youths? personal and professional development toward a staff role. Families in Camp Fire can participate in Family Camp, local club activities, and a variety of national projects. Teens in the program are offered opportunities apply for Camp Fire Leads, a program for teens that engages them in advocacy around a variety of youth led issues that combine leadership and community engagement. How Camp Fire Programs are delivered: ? Programs are available for youth from age 3 through age 22 and their families. ? Small Group Volunteer Led Programs offered in public facilities such as churches, schools or business settings ? Contracted services ?Out of school, summer, enrichment, and self-reliance programs with community partners including school districts, apartment complexes, businesses, child-care centers, social service agencies, and youth development agencies. ? Partnership Programs?includes programs where we work in partnerships with other agencies to deliver comprehensive programs to youth in various settings. ? Parent Education and Family Strengthening are intentional components of all programs. ? All programs utilize Camp Fire National Curriculum and follow nationally recognized youth development standards. All programs have academic and social outcomes to help youth improve their lives on multiple levels. Programs have measureable outcomes and reflect the needs of local communities.