Camp Fire USA First Texas Council Leadership Bulletin

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March 2010

Providing information to our volunteers and supporters

Welcome to the March 2010 issue of Camp Fire USA's Leadership Bulletin. This publication is our way of keeping you informed about council programs that fulfill the Camp Fire USA vision. We hope you enjoy this edition which includes links to expanded articles about Camp Fire programs and services. Camp Fire's goal is for all children and youth to be:

Ready to learn when they start school;
Caring, confident, and developing leadership skills;
Respectful of the outdoor environment; and
Actively involved with their families and other adults

Our committees and task forces are gearing up for 2010, with the Finance Committee meeting scheduled for March 12 and the Board of Directors meeting on March 29. Congratulations to board members John Elliott, Brandon Chase and Lauri Curtis Hadobas who were recognized for their volunteer service and leadership at the January 25 annual meeting. We appreciate all our volunteers and greatly value the service they provide.

Camp Fire USA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2010 with the theme "A Century of Kids. A Future of Leaders." I encourage you to view the Centennial video.

Thank you for continuing to support Camp Fire's mission to build caring, confident youth and future leaders.

Zem Neill
President/CEO

Campaign for El Tesoro:

The $10.3 million capital campaign to renovate El Tesoro continues to move forward under the leadership of Tod Miller. The Building Committee, led by chair Dan Hansen, has been meeting regularly and is pleased to announce that the firm of Good, Fulton & Ferrell has been selected to do initial design and schematic work on the project.

In Group Services:

As part of "National Salute to Veterans Week," February 8-14, students in Camp Fire's Vandagriff and McCall After School programs made valentines for veterans. Read more.
Julie Riverón-Bello will join Camp Fire on March 22 as Director of Camp Fire's Child Care and Development Center. Read more about the new director.
Aledo After-School Spring Break is scheduled for March 15-19 and will include the option of a Thursday overnight at Camp El Tesoro.

"My son always looks forward to getting up and going to Camp Fire, I always feel secure leaving him there." Rebecca, mother of Aledo after-school student.

"They make me feel that my child is the only child in the Center!" Alisha, whose daughter is in the Child Care and Development Center

In Outdoor Programs:

In June, El Tesoro will inaugurate the new Challenge Course, with high and low elements that include a climbing wall and zip line.
Spring Break Day Camp at Camp El Tesoro is scheduled for March 15-19.
202 camper weeks for Camptivity at Lockheed Martin Recreation Area have already been reserved for summer 2010. Register today!
It's not too early to plan for Family Camping at El Tesoro, scheduled for April 16-18.
New this year, FREE online registration for summer camp is now available at www.CampElTesoro.org.
El Tesoro will welcome Home School families for a special outdoor education Adventure Day on April 24.

"This was his third summer and he really enjoys the staff and seeing kids from other schools each year." Lisa, mom of Camptivity camper

"This was her first time and it seems that she definitely had fun. The four-day mini-camp was a perfect amount of time for her." Maren, mom of El Tesoro camper

In Work/Family and Child Care Programs:

Through collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission, funds have been allocated to Camp Fire to provide Child Development Associate credential training to 49 individuals.
The Mental Health Connection Hand-in-Hand program has partnered with Camp Fire USA to provide Connect4Success (C4S) training in Hood County which addresses challenging behaviors in children birth through age five.
The Fifth Annual Celebration of Champions, April 8 at the Sheraton Fort Worth, will honor child care professionals with the presentation of the 2010 Excellence in Child Care awards.

"The training was well put together with lots of important information that I can take back to my parents and staff." Dana, who attended safety training for child care professionals

"I loved how excited the instructor was and how effectively she managed to get us involved." Debbie, who attended training on how to develop lesson plans

Through Marketing:

The 2009 Annual Report was presented at Camp Fire's January 25th Annual Meeting at Tarrant County College - Trinity River Campus.
Check out Camp El Tesoro in Fort Worth Child magazine's Virtual Camp Fair.

Through Development:

Mark your calendars for Camp Fire's 2nd Annual "Absolutely Incredible Kid" luncheon on May 11. Deborah Ferguson, award-winning morning anchor for NBC-5, will emcee the event.
Reservations are now being accepted for the El Tesoro de la Vida Benefit dinner, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. The event directly supports Camp Fire's week-long grief camp for children.
Chesapeake Energy presented ten gently-used laptop computers to Camp Fire on February 15. The laptops will help support child care training programs, as well as its after-school and summer programs. Read more.
Friends and supporters of Camp Fire donated $59,563 in response to December's "Secret Santa" challenge grant. With the donor match, the contribution totaled $119,126.
The 25th Anniversary of Camp Fire's An Artists' Christmas was a big success, thanks to the generous support of the Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Bass, EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., and XTO Energy, Inc. Read more.