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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

info@cfgulfwind.org

www.campfirekids.com

Have some special news you would like to share

with Camp Fire? Contact Pat Madison at the

office at pmadison@cfgulfwind.org.

Camp Fire Motto: Give Service