Camp Fire USA North Oakland Council

The History of Camp Fire USA

Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D., founder of Camp Fire	Camp Fire was founded in 1910 as Camp Fire Girls. Charlotte and Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D., are recognized as Camp Fire's founders. The Gulicks were authorities on child health, recreation and education. They founded Camp Fire to provide teenage girls a chance to enjoy outdoor activities and to find pleasure in new challenges.
When founded, Camp Fire Girls was the first American interracial, nonsectarian organization. It was open to all girls. But even in the early years, the Gulicks emphasized the importance of boys and girls being together. "We need to do things together", Dr. Gulick said. "We do not believe that fineness of living is to be accomplished by seperation." Camp fire Girls encouraged fathers and brothers, as well as mothers and sisters, to participate in the program.	Original Council Fire costume 1920
Shirley Temple was a Camp Fire Girl	Young boys first joined Camp Fire as club members in the mid-1970s. Programs were revised to give girls and boys opportunities to learn, play and grow equally. Camp Fire's coeducational, nonsexist philosophy is one of the things that makes its programs unique today.
In the late 1970s, the name of the organization was officially changed to Camp Fire. And in the late 1980's, Camp Fire began to identify itself as Camp Fire Boys and Girls, so the public would know that all kids can be part of this organization. Camp Fire Boys and Girls was officially adopted as the organization's name in 1993. It is now known as Camp Fire USA.
	Through the years, many names have been used within Camp Fire to identify different age groups. Camp Fire's youngest members in elementary school were known as Blue Birds for many years. In 1983, a club program for kindergarteners was introduced. It was call Sparks. In 1989 these two age groups were combined. A new program level for kindergarten, first and second graders was created. It is called Starflight.The tradition of Blue Birds has been preserved as a Camp Fire mascot for all ages to enjoy.
The Camp Fire organization has developed many different ways to meet the needs of kids. In the early years, there were club and camping programs. By the 1980s, there were many different programs to keep Camp Fire vital and relevant in every community. Camp Fire programs must change frequently to remain meaningful to kids in today's society. But while some things change, some things always remain the same. Camp Fire always teaches self-reliance and good citizenship. That's what makes Camp Fire a special experience for everyone.

Shirley Temple was a Camp Fire Girl