What does Camp Fire do?
Youth Development noun. A process which prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent. Positive youth development addresses the broader developmental needs of youth, in contrast to deficit-based models which focus solely on youth problems.  (Approved by the executives of National Collaborations for Youth Members, March 1998)

Camp Fire USA’s programs are built around sound youth developmental principles.  Camp Fire USA recognizes and supports the shift in focus of youth development away from problem-solving to asset building.  This positive view of children and youth is consistent with Camp Fire USA’s beliefs.

Camp Fire USA has identified 14 assets we believe our programs help develop in youth:

     
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Camp Fire USA builds caring youth:
 
• Young person has empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills
• Young person has knowledge of, and comfort with, people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds
• Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.

Camp Fire USA builds confident youth:
  
• Young person receives support form three or more non-parent adults
• Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater or other  arts
• Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, and organizations at school and/or in the community

• Young person is out with friends with “nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week
• Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations  

Camp Fire USA builds future leaders:
 
• Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently
• Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices
• Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me”
• Young person reports having high self esteem
• Young person reports that “my life has a purpose”

• Young person is optimistic about his or her personal future

 

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