campfireannualreport

2011 & 2012 Annual Report

Our PromiseYoung people want to shape the world.

Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.

In Camp Fire, it begins now.

Light the fire within

Core Values• We believe that children and youth are our most precious resources.

• We believe in an approach to youth development that builds assets and empowers individuals.

• We believe that the best youth development occurs in small groups where children and youth are actively involved in creating their own learning.

• We are committed to coeducation, providing opportunities for boys, girls, and families to develop together.

• We provide caring, trained mentors to work with children and youth.

• We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth, and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or other aspect of diversity.

• We believe in the power of nature to awaken a child’s senses, curiosity, and desire to learn.

• We foster leadership, engaging children and youth to give service and make decisions in a democratic society.

• We provide safe, fun, and nurturing environments for children and youth.

• We enrich parents’ and other adults’ lives by expanding their skills and encouraging them to share their talents and build relationships with children and youth.

• We respond to community needs with our programs and expertise.

• We advocate on behalf of children, youth, and families.

A Message from the President . . .

Having been part of the Camp Fire Family and this outstanding Council for 55 years, I am amazed that we are able to value and honor the traditions that give us strength, while continually modernizing our programs, our methodology, and our brand. Our new logo is eye-catching and youthful! This will help

us effectively reach today’s youth, and through our programming, help them find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.

One way Camp Fire is staying on the cutting-edge is the incorporation of the Thrive principles into all our programs. Providing ways for youth to identify their sparks and then fan those flames into fully realized passions is something for which Camp Fire is perfectly positioned. Our staff is so well-versed in the Thrive Initiative that they are in demand to train other youth development leaders. I hope each person reading this will give some thought as to how you can use your own talents and passions to benefit youth. We all have a unique gift to contribute — what is yours?

Camp Fire is also on-trend by providing STEM activities. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — a good summation on what is being expected in today’s world. Our staff and volunteers have worked with Best Buy’s Geek Squad to host a summer workshop to provide hands-on STEM experiences, and we have developed new STEM curriculum for Leaders to incorporate experiments and activities into their Clubs.

As a national organization and as a council, Camp Fire has always been inclusive — at Camp Fire, ALL youth and families are welcome. When I was a high school student in the 1960s in Tulsa, schools were segregated. My only opportunity to be around African-American peers was through Camp Fire activities, which broadened my horizons considerably. Today, schools are integrated, but LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) youth are often marginalized and underserved. Camp Fire welcomes these teens and offers them club, camping, leadership, and other experiences they might not otherwise have. I am proud to be part of an organization that values ALL people.

Youth today often don’t have enough opportunities to be outdoors. Camp Fire, from the very beginning, has incorporated appreciation of the environment, camping, and outdoor activities into our programs. Maintaining three camps is a huge undertaking, but with dedicated camp staff, amazing volunteers, and events like Tulsa Area United Way’s Day of Caring, we have flourishing camps where youth and adults can connect with the out-of-doors and with each other.

We are glad you are part of the Camp Fire Family too, and appreciate your service and gifts to Camp Fire. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

Gayle CampbellPresident, Board of Directors

A Message from the Executive Director . . .Our Promise — Young people want to shape the world. Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are. In Camp Fire, it begins now.

With the shift from a mission statement to a Promise, Camp Fire signaled its commitment to much more than a hope for the future well-being of the young people we serve. We unequivocally recognized that the children and teens who participate today want to see results today.

As we pursued efforts to deliver on Our Promise, we began to see the advantages of a targeted focus grounded in declaring our intentions on behalf of the boys and girls entrusted to our care. Our work took on an immediacy that impacted the Council’s youth development practice in a variety of ways.

First, we wanted to ensure that our programs reflected 21st Century Relevance, that the subjects pursued in all areas of service — afterschool clubs, youth leadership, and camp and outdoor — addressed issues and concerns facing today’s kids. This resulted in the introduction of a strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) initiative for all age levels, increased emphasis on health, fitness, and nutrition, as well as deliberate attention to those critical non-cognitive skills such as self-control, persistence, and grit that equip youngsters for success in school and work.

While program content is important, we want to maximize learning opportunities and experiences by utilizing the most current Research-Based Approach. Thanks to a National Camp Fire initiative, Green Country became an Early Innovator in the Thrive Foundation for Youth’s “Step-It-Up-2-Thrive” Theory of Change that incorporates evidence-based thinking in youth development practice. By incorporating Dr. Peter Benson’s research on the importance of identifying and growing children’s sparks, Dr. Carol Dweck’s insights into the value of a growth mindset, Dr. Richard Lerner’s goal management systems, and a recognition of the importance of reflecting on youth strengths and challenges, Thrive offers participants a comprehensive way to minimize the threats to their success while capitalizing on their full potential.

Third, because at Camp Fire we’re always working toward complete Access and Equity in our programming, we intensified efforts to build institutional capacity to serve all children in relation to their individual abilities. Over the last two years the Let’s ALL Play grant from the National Inclusion Project provided professional development for all staff and support to hire additional resident camp counselors to serve as “buddies” to children and teens who need a little extra attention to fully participate in all the rewarding and fun outdoor activities offered by summer camp.

Fourth, and critical to holding our efforts to the highest standard, the last few years have seen the full implementation of the David P. Weikert Center’s Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI) throughout all our Council’s program areas. Based on extensive research over two decades, YPQI offers a systematic approach to Continuous Quality Improvement by deploying trained observers who rate multiple program features for input into a planning tool that includes professional development and quality coaching to build staff capacity for effective service to youth.

Each of these developments over the last two years has contributed to the ongoing professionalization of our work with children from Pre-K through 12th grade throughout Tulsa and the surrounding area. We are grateful to our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and those who have supported our work with their contributions of time and financial resources. Thank you for helping Camp Fire keep Our Promise to children, youth, their families, and our community.

Bobbie Walker HendersonExecutive Director

The Power of WordsAs adults, we can each recall a memory — often from decades ago — of when something hurtful was said to us. Recently, students in Camp Fire’s East Central Teens in Action club, who mentor a club of younger students at Cooper Elementary, led several activities and lessons on the lasting impact of our words and actions. One day, the teens facilitated an activity called “Crinkle Man.” During this activity, an outline of one of the kids was traced onto a large sheet of paper. The youth were then given pencils and instructed to write the worst thing that had ever been said to them and the worst thing they had ever said to someone. Silently, the elementary youth wrote their unkind words and returned to their seats.

The teens then crinkled the paper over each phrase, explaining that each crinkle represents the effect those words have. The teens then instructed the younger youth to erase all the words they had just written. When finished, the teens explained that erasing represents an apology, but even though they had apologized (and the hurtful words were no longer visible), there was still damage there (the crinkle). This sparked a powerful reflection on how words can positively or negatively affect our relationships. Since this activity and lesson, the Camp Fire Leader has seen a significant decrease in the unkind words and actions that were becoming a habit. And to this day, the group continues to use the word “crinkle” when they hear another student say something harmful. At Camp Fire, we support youth by promoting increased social skills, character-building, appreciating each other’s differences, and learning to work as a team. Our youth are learning their words and actions make an imprint on others. In a decade or two from now, our Camp Fire kids will be adults who have empathy and remain sensitive to the impact words have.

Once a month, we highlight how we impact the lives of local youth by sharing a success story like this one. To receive the powerful stories

of youth we serve, please sign up at www.tulsacampfire.org.

Our Programs We provide quality youth development in 3 Program Areas:

Afterschool Clubs

Youth Leadership

Camp & Outdoor

About Camp Fire• At Camp Fire, ALL kids and families are welcome.

• We purposefully serve youth from at-risk and vulnerable circumstances whose families struggle with challenges associated with poverty.

• For most youth we serve, Camp Fire is their ONLY extracurricular opportunity because we provide programming at little or no cost to families.

• Each year, we serve over 3,000 youth in NE Oklahoma — boys and girls, from Pre-K to 12th Grade. Nationally, Camp Fire serves over 1 MILLION youth and families every year.

• Camp Fire Green Country is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a proud Partner Agency of the Tulsa Area United Way.

Age-level clubs meet weekly in a small-group environment, usually in an afterschool setting at over 20 Tulsa & Union Schools or in partnership with other agencies. Clubs revolve around Camp Fire’s educational, outcome-based curriculum. Boys and girls learn how to play and work together, while appreciating their similarities and differences in a constructive and positive manner. Clubs allow youth to make new friends, build confidence and self-esteem, as well as earn awards and emblems, while participating in outdoor activities and community service.

Through Camp Fire’s Teens in Action, high school students learn about mentoring and lead a weekly club of younger students at a local elementary school. Not only does this raise the bar for the teens, but also provides extensive leadership experience and opportunities. Youth Leadership groups explore social issues and problems, design and carry out service initiatives, then reflect on the outcome of their efforts and celebrate their accomplishments.

Our three camp properties include Camp Waluhili on Fort Gibson Lake in Wagoner, Camp Okiwanee in Sapulpa, and Camp Tookaboochee in East Tulsa. We provide year-round camping and outdoor opportunities for youth and families to learn outdoor skills and enjoy nature together. Throughout the summer, we host day & resident camps open to all youth.

ThriveGreen Country was proud to be named an Early Innovator for a national partnership with the Thrive Foundation for Youth and New York Life. The Thrive Theory of Change focuses on youth development and achievement as a process of four progressive steps — Sparks, Mindset, Thriving Indicators, and Goal Management. The initial concept of Thriving is sparks — the passions, skills, and strengths that are discoverable in all youth. From the research of Dr. Peter Benson, we understand that sparks originate inside a person and can be a source of motivation. All youth need adult mentors in their lives to help them ignite their sparks. All Camp Fire Leaders are “Spark Champions” for the youth they serve. Another key concept of Thriving is mindset, from the work of Carol Dweck. A fixed mindset represents a belief that we have a natural, sometimes limited, talent or ability. A growth mindset states we have no limits to our talents or abilities — that hard work and persistence can overcome the natural challenges that come with trying something new.

National Inclusion ProjectAligning with Camp Fire’s core value of inclusiveness, our partnership with National Inclusion Project for their Let’s ALL Play initiative brings an inclusive recreational experience to children with disabilities by giving them the same outdoor experiences as children without disabilities. This partnership provides a program model, specialized training, expertise, and funding to hire additional staff to serve as “buddies” to youth with disabilities during their stay at camp. Through this partnership, Camp Fire is able to further expand its camp programs to more fully include children who might otherwise have limited participation because of health or behavioral challenges. So far, Camp Fire has been able to serve children with various autism spectrum disorders, celiac disease (mild to severe gluten intolerance), visual impairments, ADHD, and other behavioral health issues.

ACROSS AGES©

Thanks to a three-year grant from the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, we have launched ACROSS AGES©, an intergenerational mentoring approach to substance abuse prevention, targeting youth ages 9-13. This unique and highly effective program pairs older adult mentors (50+) with high-risk pre-teens and adolescents. The components include community service, life-skills training, and family activities.

STEMPurposefully providing focused opportunities on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) helps youth find their spark in these fields, in hopes to ignite a future career. We have spent the last two years developing new STEM curriculum and now dozens of clubs are doing experiments with rocket launchers, air pressure, and magnets. Camp Fire youth also benefit from field trips to science museums and other educational experiences such as FabLab, where they learn about fabrication and 3-D printing. Last summer, we provided various STEM-themed camps and partnered with Best Buy to host the Geek Squad Summer Academy program™. Traveling with over $350,000 worth of technology to 40 different cities, this 2-day tech camp uses technology to spark youth’s inner creativity and nurture innovation. Over 100 5th, 6th, and 7th graders learned how to mix music, edit photos, design computer games, and rebuild a computer.

New Initiatives

Youth learn about variables in a STEM experiment using diet soda and Mentos.

FoundationsThe Judith & Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation Edward E Bartlett & Helen Turner Bartlett Charitable TrustGrace & Franklin Bernsen FoundationBest Buy Children’s Foundation The Mervin Bovaird FoundationH. A. & Mary K. Chapman Charitable TrustFounders of Doctors’ HospitalThe Sharna & Irvin Frank FoundationThe Gelvin FoundationHardesty Family FoundationHelmerich FoundationHille Family Charitable FoundationGeorge Kaiser Family FoundationHerman Kaiser FoundationNational Inclusion ProjectNew York Life FoundationSarkeys FoundationDavid E. & Cassie L. Temple FoundationThrive Foundation for YouthThe Tulsa Foundation Sam Viersen Family FoundationThe Williams Foundation The Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation

Just Plane FunJackie AhrensAmerican Airlines Arvest Bank Bank of Oklahoma Bootcamp Tulsa Brown Mackie College Case & Associates CloseBend, Inc. The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa German American Society of Tulsa Integrated ConceptsInternational Association of Administrative ProfessionalsMary & Tracy JohnsonCheryl & Dennis JonesMagellan Midstream Partners L.P.Lori Beth McDonaldNancy & Joe McDonaldMESA Cathodic Protection & Control SolutionsDennis NeillNORDAM ONEOK Michael RuchSears SemGroup CorporationPeggy & Steve SwydenMartin & Deb ThalkenJan WeaverUnit Corporation National Association of Women in ConstructionWilliams Companies WPX EnergyThe Zarrow Families Foundation

2011 & 2012 SupportersIndividualsJackie AhrensTheresa BarnardSuzette Beck-RamseyLynette Bennett DanskinMeloyde BlancettKathy & Elam BlankMark & Brenda BlumenthalAmber BlytheGerald BrownKenneth & Denise BurnettKaren CallahanJim & Gayle CampbellSteve ChilcoatSam & Connie ChildersCynthia ClarkKatie ColdwellRonald ColemanPeter & Felicia Correia, IIIFaye CothamJan CrevelingKaren CruceTina DagleyAnne DaubneyJorge DelgadoMonica DuperreBarbara DurkeeJeanette EasterlingLeslie Ellis KissingerTally FergusonJerry FieldRebecca FowlerDavid & Lou Ann GibsonBreann GreenMary GroveYevonne GunterJulie & Stephan GuyBeth HagerPatty HagerMichael & Susan HaggardJohn HaleyAmy HalliburtonLindsay HarcourtMarcia HarcourtElaine HeitmanAlice HelmkeBobbie & Don HendersonFrank Henke, IIIScott & Lori HerzogSally HickeyCharles Hoskins, JrJeff & Gail HuberMary IsaacsonRobert JamesDiana JohnsonMary & Tracy JohnsonCheryl & Dennis JonesStephanie KautLinda KinnamonSteve KnightCarol KruegerDana & Jeff LackDenise LantBambi LaTrayLinda LaughlinVickie Libby

Businesses & OrganizationsBank of Oklahoma Bulldog Parts ConocoPhillips Littlejohn Speedboys, LLC SCFM Compression Systems, Inc True Digital Security Tulsa Sports Commission (Tulsa Run)

GovernmentCity of Tulsa Community Development Block GrantOklahoma Community Service Commission (AmeriCorps)Oklahoma State Office of Juvenile Affairs

Donna LittleTracye LoveDavid & Susan MainSherry & Frank MarcumRebecca McGovernRyan McKnightMike & Patti MillerMike NalleyRuth K. NelsonShelby NuckollsKathy OveroseLisa ParkerMargaret PogueElizabeth PricePenny PricerRobert PyleMichael RainesPhyllis RainesSharolyn RalstonRita RandallRon & Nancy RauschGloria RichardsonKelly Jo RickmanDee RoadmanJohn & Jo RohrbackerRobert RossTina RussoGeorge ShahadiMadiha ShaikhSkip & Dyanne SidnerCharles SkidmorePat StarnesLori SteinerJack & Susan SteinmeyerCandace StineFrancis SulgroveRose SypherdGlenn & Sally TaggartBershunda TaylorAnn ThompsonKayla & Scott VaughnCherie VeitPeggy & Dan WalkerTamara WalkingstickHerbert & Mary Sue WhitneyStephanie WilliamsGina WoodsAlene YowellJeff Zumwalt

Tulsa Area United Way

In Memory of . . .Diana Haley Phyllis RainesBill Hallam Bobbie & Don HendersonGail Hunt Carol KruegerDan Jones Bobbie HendersonLucy Lighthizer Phyllis RainesSue Linde Phyllis RainesHelen Main David & Susan MainSteve Malone Phyllis RainesCarolyn McCondichie Kathy BlankVirginia McKinney Phyllis RainesJo Nell Moore Dorene Boggs Viola KessellAntonio & Christina Russo Tina RussoAnita Steward Nancy HardyJoan Walker Judy Barto L. E. Benzel Kathy Blank Christy Creitz Cox Lucy Dolman Betty Harris Cheryl Jones Phyllis Raines

GroupsGamma Phi Beta Gamma Phi Beta Tulsa Alumnae Metro Tulsa Civitan Club Will Rogers Sams Club

The generosity of the Tulsa Area United Way and these wonderful individuals, families, companies, foundations, and groups make it possible for over 3,000 boys and girls throughout Northeastern Oklahoma to benefit from Camp Fire’s quality and enriching youth programs. Thanks to their gifts, youth have the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.

In Kind DonorsAmerican AirlinesKay CampbellCheaper T’s Inc. Classic Golf Carts Crain Carrier CompanyAnne DaubneyJulie DavidsonAnne DunaganRuth EllisLeonard GilmorePearl M. & Julia J. Harmon FoundationBecky HarrisElaine HeitmanBobbie HendersonHiland DairyHiltiPastor Greg HurstCheryl JonesKaiser-Francis Oil Company Langdon PublishingBambi LaTrayDave LindoMagellan Midstream Partners L.P.McNellie’s Group National Rifle Association Lori Zeller PhotographyPenny PricerQuikTripMichael RainesPhyllis RainesReasor’s Rib Crib Robert RobertsonKyle RoubidouxSusie RubyBill & LaVon RuedyDavid & Janita RuedySapulpa Daily Herald Traci SchaufSouth Lakes Plaza & StorageSouthern Agriculture Southwood Landscape & NurseryThis Land PressSusan ThrasherTi Amo Ristorante ItalianoDenise Wally Warehouse Market Whole Foods MarketWilliams CompaniesZebco Jeff Zumwalt

GovernmentCity of Tulsa Community Development Block GrantOklahoma Community Service Commission (AmeriCorps)Oklahoma State Office of Juvenile Affairs

In Honor of . . .Louise Bennett Lynette Bennett DanskinMeloyde Blancett Steve WrightJennifer and Anne Marie Croft Laurie CroftLisa Daubney Sherry ColdwellMr. & Mrs Glenn Elliott’s 50th Anniversary Mary Ellen MeansShea Gonzalez Gayle CampbellBobbie Henderson Jan Creveling Rebecca Kovin Craig & Carol KovinMaxine LaGrone Arden Lynn GreenLisa Daubney & Kirk Louthan Sherry ColdwellSherry Marcum Bobbie HendersonPhyllis Raines Charlotte HardgraveMarisa Randall Rita CaldwellLaura Taggart Roberts Glenn & Sally TaggartRachel Strassberger Gayle CampbellSteve Starnes Pat Starnes

“Guardians of the Fire” Legacy Society

Mary Alice & Karl AhlgrenTheresa BarnardLynette Bennett DanskinJohnnie & Judie CherblancDon & Bobbie Henderson

Mary Isaacson & Leanne GrossCheryl & Dennis JonesPenny PricerPhyllis Raines

2011 Total Public Support & Revenue: $1,269,789

56% Contributions & Grants -‐ $708,978

27% United Way -‐ $ 345,408

9% Camp, Program Fees & Member Dues -‐ $115,988

2% Special Events -‐ Just Plane Fun -‐ $31,988

4% Youth Sales -‐ $44,741

2% Other -‐ $22,686

2011 Total Expenses: $ 1,120,155

83% Program Services -‐ $924,824

10% Fundraising -‐ $114,668

7% Management & General -‐ $80,663



27% United Way -‐ $ 345,408




2% Other -‐ $22,686





2011 Financial Statements Year Ended December 31, 2011

Total Public Support & Revenue: $1,269,789

Total Expenses: $1,120,155

The annual financial statements for Camp Fire Green Country, Inc. are audited by Morse & Co., PLLC. A complete copy of those financial statements and accompanying footnotes, and an independent auditor’s report, is available for review at the Council’s business office, 706 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The most current IRS Form 990 is available on the website at www.tulsacampfire.org.



27% United Way -‐ $ 345,408




2% Other -‐ $22,686





Total Expenses: $1,161,721

Total Public Support & Revenue: $1,212,820



26% United Way -‐ $ 315,193




4% Other -‐ $44,739







26% United Way -‐ $ 315,193




4% Other -‐ $44,739







26% United Way -‐ $ 315,193




4% Other -‐ $44,739





2012 Financial Statements Year Ended December 31, 2012

Camp Fire Staff

Board of DirectorsPresident Gayle Campbell Past President Anne Daubney President-Elect Alice Helmke Vice-President Administration Jeff Zumwalt, PHR

Vice-President Program Services Patti Miller

Vice-President Fund Development Kathy Blank Treasurer Ryan McKnight

Secretary LaTreshia D. Thomas

Executive DirectorBobbie Walker Henderson, MHR Assistant Executive Director Julie Summers, MSW, LCSW

Program Director Mary Alice Ahlgren Community Relations Director Amanda Murphy, APR Camp & Outdoor Program Director Susan Bencke

Accountant Kathy Wilson

Administrative Assistant Stephanie Nourse

Program Services Coordinator Kay FidlerPaige Kennedy

Youth Leadership Coordinator Deric Williams

ACROSS-AGES© Coordinator Sarah Smith

Thrive Project Coordinator Lexi Brackett

AmeriCorps Members Kambria GivensKD TaylorJodi Watts

Graphic Designer Sherman D. Merchant

Technology CoordinatorTom Hammer

Sapulpa Community Resource CenterLisa Parker, Office Manager

Camp Site DirectorsMike Thompson, Camp OkiwaneeDenny Winters, Camp Waluhili

Board of DirectorsSuzette Beck-RamseyMeloyde BlancettAdrian BlancoAmber BlytheGerald BrownCynthia ClarkJorge DelgadoMonica DuperreTally FergusonMegan FulmerBreann GreenAmy Halliburton Cheryl Jones Denise LantTracye Love, LPC Sherry MarcumMichael Nalley Shelby NuckollsPenny Pricer Michael Raines Phyllis RainesRobert Ross

George Shahadi Madiha Shaikh, CPACandace StineBershunda TaylorAlyson Walker

Board InternsTammie Barron, TAUW New Voices InternCaitlin Boewe, Leadership TulsaBrian Long, TYPros InternMadhu Rajagopal, TYPros Intern

706 South Boston Avenue Tulsa, OK 74119 | 918-592-2267 | www.tulsacampfire.org

campfireannualreport

Documents

todays youth

best youth development

youth development leaders

way camp

engaging children

welcoming children

behalf of children

stem activities