Summer Camp Archives – Camp Fire Central Puget Sound

Invest in Camp Fire Kids this Holiday Season

Kristen Cook — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:03:14 +0000

“The world is a complex place with complex people. Camp Fire creates safe environments to build the skills to not only navigate – but to appreciate – that complexity.“

– Joanna Cerar, President-Elect Board of Directors

We are currently living through a time of extreme discord and uncertainty. I believe that our most precious resource is our young people but what can we do to help them navigate these difficult times?

One of the ways you can make a difference is supporting organizations like Camp Fire.

Camp Fire has always evolved to meet the needs of its youth, through many challenging moments in history. Since its founding in 1910, this has included multiple wars, a global pandemic, the Great Depression, the civil rights and 2SLGBTQ+ rights movements, the September 11^th attacks and most recently a second global pandemic.

Camp Fire has been an anchor in a sea of change, adapting to meet the needs of each new generation of youth.

Will you join me in making a gift to Camp Fire this holiday season?

Give Now

Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, Camp Fire Central Puget Sound has taken action in responding to the changing needs of our youth by:

Establishing the Equity Action Fund, broadening access to camp programs for youth and families of color.
Creating Proud 2 Be Me camp, creating a safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and families to build community.
Expanding our Special Family Camp, supporting kids and adults with special needs or who are neurodivergent so they can enjoy a camp experience with their family.
Training staff and volunteers to respond to the unique post-pandemic needs of today’s youth.

We need your support to continue this critical work!

Every Camp Fire program is led with genuine kindness and a spirit of adventure. And that’s vitally important, especially when many political leaders are using our differences to divide us. Camp Fire breaks through this mentality with an intentional and proven program philosophy. When our staff and volunteers facilitate small-group experiences, create connections with the natural world, and invite everyone to participate, they’re creating more than fun experiences. They’re building skills that lead to healthy, thriving communities.

Camp Fire programs are microcosms of our society’s potential. As my sixteen-year-old niece Aryanna recently shared, “There’s a community for me at Camp Sealth. You meet a bunch of different people and have a bunch of experiences you only can have together there. It’s humanizing.”

Can I count on you to join me in making a gift this holiday season to Camp Fire?

I think that if you believe in something you should act and invest in it. I am sure you agree that our young people are worth the investment.

With appreciation,

Joanna Cerar, President-Elect Board of Directors & Camp Fire Alumnus*

*Joanna grew up in Camp Fire club and camp programs, directed programs at Camp Sealth and Camp Killoqua and is a cardiothoracic surgery Registered Nurse. In addition to her role on the board of directors, she also volunteers her time each summer as a camp nurse.

Join Joanna & Make Your One-Time or Recurring Gift Today!

The post Invest in Camp Fire Kids this Holiday Season appeared first on Camp Fire Central Puget Sound.

Camp Fire Remains As Committed As Ever

Kristen Cook — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 06:34:57 +0000

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In light of last week’s election results, I have found myself struggling to process this election and the myriad of emotions that have come along with it.

I have also spent a considerable amount of time thinking about how our children are faring in the aftermath.

Our youth – just like us – are increasingly hearing a relentless emphasis on our differences, making them seem impossible to bridge.

It’s a lot to take in.

I want to encourage you to reach out to your community during this time. Check in on your neighbors and friends. Reach out to your colleagues. Do not isolate from each other. Community can help us cope in an oftentimes frightening and scary world.

I also want to encourage you to talk openly about the election results with the youth in your life. Open communication helps youth stay connected and makes them feel less alone and isolated. Simply knowing that caring adults in their life are also struggling to process their feelings is a huge step towards connection and healing. EmbraceRace has some wonderful resources to help you navigate these tough conversations.

Lastly, I want to reassure you that Camp Fire is as committed as ever to the young people and families we serve. Our passion and work remains the same.

For more than a century, we have nurtured young leaders by providing a safe space for ALL youth to find their own voice, to step outside their comfort zones, and to enact change that makes life in their communities better.

Now more than ever, our community needs safe spaces like ours where youth can find not only belonging and community connection, but perhaps most critical in light of the election – civic engagement and the courage to use their voices to stand up for what they believe.

Executive Director, Rick Taylor

The post Camp Fire Remains As Committed As Ever appeared first on Camp Fire Central Puget Sound.

Introducing Our 2022 Camp Sealth Themes!

Carrie Kishline — Sun, 15 May 2022 19:13:20 +0000

We’re so excited to be announcing our weekly themes for our 2022 summer sessions at Camp Sealth! Each week both our overnight and day camp staff will incorporate the theme into daily activities, all camp events, meals and more! Participation in the theme is always optional, however, we encourage our campers to bring any costumes or accessories they have related to their week’s theme – Camp also has many costumes to borrow!

Session 1: Character Week July 6 – 9

This week is for all our favorite characters! You’ll have a chance to dress up as your favorite book, movie, or cartoon character and get creative!

Session 2: Sail the Sealth Seas July 11 – 16

Ahoy Mateys! This is the perfect week to dress up as your favorite sea creature, play on the beach, or live like a pirate. This week is all about the ocean and everything in it: pirates, mermaids, and more! Come prepared to help your cabin solve Captain Wigglebottom’s Hidden Challenge.

Session 3: Outer Space Week July 18 – 23

To infinity and beyond, this week will be out of this world! Campers may dress up as an alien or astronaut, attend Jedi Training, learn about astronomy, and see if you would survive an alien invasion!

Session 4: Once Upon a Camp July 25 – 30

Whether you want to dress up as a princess, or you’re more likely to be found at Shrek’s swamp, this week will be all things fairytale.

Session 5: Jurassic Adventure Aug 3 – 6

It’s dinosaur week, what more can we say?! Visit our real-live dinosaur descendants (the camp chickens!), search for fossils, share your best T-rex call. We’re traveling back in time for the adventure of the summer.

Session 6: Camp Olympics Aug 8 – 13

Your cabin will compete all week in a friendly “camp”-etition to see which country will bring home the gold!

Session 7: Wild, Wild West Aug 15 – 20

Bring your cowboy hat and flannel because this week will be a rootin’ tootin’ good time. Dive into the world of horses, ranchers, and gold this week. We’ll have events and themed meals centered on the Wild Wild West, plus a special Hoedown up at Wrangler where campers can witness life with horses firsthand!

Session 8: Camp Stealth Aug 22 – 27

Calling all spies and mystery enthusiasts, this week is for you! Solve a mystery with your friends, attend spy training, and see if you have what it takes to be a secret agent, Camp Sealth is counting on you! We are all on a mission to make this the best week of your summer!

P.s. We’re seeking costume donations!

Do you have lightly used costumes, formal wear, or accessories that need a home where they will be a part of fashion shows, photoshoots, campfire skits, and camp events? Reach out to us at campstaff@campfireseattle.org and we can coordinate a time and place for you to drop off! (please no shoes, weapons, or fragile items)

The post Introducing Our 2022 Camp Sealth Themes! appeared first on Camp Fire Central Puget Sound.

Meet Your Camp Sealth ACD Team!

Kristen Cook — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 20:42:16 +0000

Help the Camp Sealth ACD Team Raise Campership Funds!

The image that will be on the back of the t-shirt designed by ACD, Chloe!

Our incredible ACD (Assistant Camp Directors) team has worked together to create an amazing t-shirt fundraising campaign through Bonfire Fund to raise money for kids in need! These limited edition t-shirts will be available for purchase between April 4th – 24th!

All proceeds from the sale will directly go into our Campership Fund, which is used to provide financial assistance to families who cannot afford Camp Fire programs. Our ACDs believe that all kids, regardless of their financial situation, deserve to experience the magic of Camp Sealth!

Purchase Your Shirt Today!

Megan A.K.A Stitch

I can’t wait to spend my first summer at Camp Sealth! I currently work as the year-round Assistant Camp Director helping with Outdoor Education, retreats, and summer camp! Although this is my first year at Camp Sealth, I’ve spent 12 years at YMCA camps in Michigan. At those camps I worked up from a camper to a CIT, then a counselor to a lake director.

I recently just moved to the Pacific Northwest and am loving every bit of it. I love that summer camp gives campers the opportunity to discover themselves in a welcoming and supportive environment. Camp has been such a special part of my life and I absolutely love when I see the spark in children’s eyes when something magical occurs. My favorite part about camp has always been water activities. I don’t think I could choose between boating, swimming, or just chilling in my inflatable doughnut.

Favorite Camp Food: Cilantro lime chicken salad!
Favorite Camp Song: Boom Chicka Boom
Favorite Activity: Any waterfront activity!
Favorite Game: Capture the Flag
Favorite Trail: It isn’t a trail, but I love to take a long walk down the beach during low tide.
Favorite Animal Found at Camp: Leather Sea Star