• In July, 27 volunteers from Alcon joined families and staff to paint classrooms in the Child Care and Development Center (CCDC).  In October, eight volunteers from Lockheed Martin painted the library and staff areas.
• The CCDC will host its first Autumn Market from Oct. 26-30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This silent auction-style fundraiser is open to the public.  View select auction items.
• Diamond Hill Station will host a holiday program on December 14 from 5 to 6 p.m. with holiday songs, special activities and a visit from Santa himself.
• Camp Fire USA opened a new after school program at Alvarado Elementary North in August.
  

"My son was at Camp Fire for almost the first year of his life.  We loved our Camp Fire experience and compare all day care programs to Camp Fire and all teachers to Mrs. Sharon."  - Angela, mother of Jac
 
"My daughter has been attending Camp Fire after school in Aledo.  She loves it and I've been very impressed with the counselors!  You guys do a good job of training your staff." - Claire, mother of Helena

• A total of 723 campers enjoyed the 76th season of Resident Camp at El Tesoro.
• 2009 Camptivity Day Camp had a record attendance of 1660 camper weeks.
• Dad and Me at El Tesoro had a 13% increase in participation over 2008.
• Family Camping Weekend is set for October 23-25, with more than 68 campers already registered to attend. 
• Jane Lovedahl, Director of Curriculum Development for Outdoor Education, field tested the  "Bird Watching at El Tesoro" curriculum unit at El Tesoro in July.  Read more.
• Camp Fire has partnered with the Texas Master Naturalists on the creation of the new outdoor curriculum.

"Ms. Lovedahl - I just saw a Red-tailed Hawk!"                 
 - Cate, during the Outdoor Education field test at El Tesoro
 
"I would like to thank Camp Fire for helping our son, Alex, go to camp.  When we picked him up, he couldn't stop telling us about all the things he did.  He talked all the way back to Keller." - Debra and Louis, parents of Alex

• The Corporate Advisory Committee for Quality Child Care has been created to identify opportunities to support parents, caregivers and businesses on the critical issue of quality child care.  Read more about the committee.
• Camp Fire USA, the Children's Environmental Health Network and the Environmental Protection Agency  teamed up to train more than 100 child care providers about environmental hazards.   Read more.
• In August, more than 30 child care workers in Camp Fire's Kindergarten Readiness Program were recognized for their work.  Read more about this program to enhance children's future success when entering school. 
• Camp Fire launched its new self-paced Online Training for Child Care Providers in July with seven modules. Three new modules will be launched by the end of 2009. Learn more about the success of this program.
  

"Every Camp Fire training session I attend gets even better - keep them going. I always leave with the feeling that it can't get any better, and it does!"
 - Andrea, Creative Training Solutions class participant
 
"I like all aspects of the training. Not only does it help with my job in child care, it helps with my child at home."
 - Teresa, Creative Training Solutions class participant

• Christy Jones joined the marketing team as Marketing Coordinator for Camp Fire's Work/Family and Group Services divisions.  Read more about Christy.
• Grief camp volunteer Shane Mudge was featured in the August 7, 2009 issue of the Aledo Community News.  Read "Healing on the Horizon."
• The July 4, 2009 Hood County News included a feature on El Tesoro camp director Toni Hooten.  Read "Camp Leader on Fire."
• Camp Fire USA board member John Elliott was honored by Camp Fire at the Volunteer Center of North Texas' Lone Star Salute on September 16.
• Paula Tillman and Maren Gibbs were interviewed about Camp Fire's Plein Air Paint Out event on WFAA's Good Morning Texas on October 12.

• The Council hosted its Second Annual Plein Air Paint Out at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden October 15-18.  Artists donated more than 50 original works of art to benefit Camp Fire USA.  A number of the paintings will be available for purchase at An Artists' Christmas.
• The 25th anniversary of An Artists' Christmas is scheduled for November 14.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.AnArtistsChristmas.org.  For more information, contact Maren Gibbs at 817-831-2111, ext. 167.
• In celebration of the event's silver anniversary, Camp Fire is recognizing all previous general and honor chairs as the Honor Council.  Since inception of this event, this group of volunteers has collaborated with artists to raise more the $2.5 million for Council programs and services.
• Read about Volunteer and Staff leadership for An Artists' Christmas.