Fireside News April, May, June 2018 FIRESIDE NEWS PENSACOLA, FLORIDA April, May, June 2018 To the Family of Camp Fire Times are changing and they will continue to change. Camp Fire, an organization founded in 1910, is deeply committed to young people wanting to shape the world. We are just as deeply rooting in our 108-year-old history of youth development. Ms. Trish Highland, a former Camp Fire member in the 1960s, reminds us of her many fond memories in Camp Fire, and by extension, our own as well. Ms. Highland sent a beautiful wood-framed display of her earned emblems on her Camp Fire navycolored vest. As she requested, we found a special place to display this piece of history: in the lobby at Headquarters. We are prepared to examine and evaluate our most cherished traditions through the 21st century lens and beyond as we move forward. This is not to devalue the traditions or their previous impact, but to view them though the present lens. Camp Fire is a tradition that has been powerfully life-changing in the past and will be Camp Fire Strong in the future. WOHELO, La-Vonne Haven Executive Director/CEO April is Child Abuse Prevention Month will recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month by displaying yard signs, stickers, and pinwheels at each of the centers and at headquarters. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, Camp Fire encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Northwest Florida a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by making meaningful connections with children, youth and families in our communities. Page 1
Fireside News April, May, June 2018 Calendar of Events April 2018 April 1 Easter Day April 1-30 Child Abuse Prevention Month April 3 Santa Rosa Juvenile Justice Council Youth Success Celebration April 5 Interaction begins at Escambia Christian April 7 Archery training for Camp and Program Directors Panama City April 12 Escambia Juvenile Justice Council Youth Success Celebration April 20 Volunteer Appreciation Day April 22 Earth Day April 25 Secretaries Day April 27 Arbor Day May 2018 May 10 Camp Fire PSC VPK Graduation May 11 Camp Fire Century VPK Graduation May 13 Mother s Day May 19 Armed Forces Day May 23 Escambia Schools Last Day May 29 Summer Day Camp Begins Escambia June 2018 June 1 Last Day of School Santa Rosa County June 4 Summer Day Camp begins for Santa Rosa June 9 World Oceans Day Field Trip to Perdido Key Association June 14 Flag Day June 21 Father s Day June 21 Summer Begins May 5 Day Camp /Thrive{ology} training May 6-12 Teacher Appreciation Week Volunteer Appreciation Day April 20, 2018. Arbor Day is April 27, 2018. To celebrate, centers will plant trees and flowers to create a more beautiful environment. Page 2
AIKD 2018 Dear AIKD Volunteers and Supporters: What a success we had, and we could not have done it without you. This year the Gulf Wind Council distributed over 2700 AIKD letters to every child at OJ Semmes, Brentwood, Rhodes and East Milton Elementary Schools. Camp Fire Teachers and Staff also presented letters to the children in our programs at Longleaf and Scenic Heights Elementary After- School, and Pensacola State College and Century Child Development centers. This is in addition to those who took to social media with #AIKD. Tremendous gratitude to Kenny Holt from TLC Care Givers, Barbara MacNeil from Central Credit Union of Florida and Mary Wilson RSVP Coordinator at United Way of Escambia Westminster Village, Pathways for Change, WSRE/ PBS- Kids, Rotary Club of Milton and Washington HS. Sincerely, Tammy Byrer Program Director Here are some Semmes elementary kids with their AIKD letters! Mr. Frank, Why a random card from Bob Culker? During Lent, I start my day in prayer and readings and reflection. Then I write a Lenten card/letter to someone I believe is a difference maker in the world we live in. Today I picked you. On Saturday March 17, St. Patrick's Day, (I never know who I will pick, of course) I thought I would be picking someone named Patrick today or at least an Irishman. In today s reading, it spoke to kindness, courage and service to others. An Image of you dressed as the Man in the Yellow Hat came to mind. How in the world can Captain America change to the Man in the Yellow Hat. Only Mr. Frank can do that and make it stick. Attending your class for more than a drop off or pick up was a real pleasure for me. The diversity, caring, love and craziness (in a good way) in your class is much like a vibrant community. You are the Mayor (a likeable mayor), you are the educator, you are the mentor, a friend, Captain America, and the Man the Yellow Hat. You are teaching your kids great virtues. Core values that will be the foundation of excellence for them always. Keep up the great work. You are a Difference Maker. And they too will be difference makers, because of you. Peace, Bob. Bob Culker, general manager at WSRE, participated in our Dr. Suess Day at PSC Child Development Center this year. His grandson is a member of Camp Fire. Page 3
Our Annual Meeting, on February 22, was full of fun and excitement! We are lighting the flame! WOHELO! Camp Fire Valentines to First Responders were happily received! We took valentines to the Naval Veteran's Clinic, to the Escambia County Sherriff s office, and to the Emergency Management Services of Escambia County. Camp Fire Scenic Heights Elementary participated in the annual Children s Week Give us a Hand This campaign encourages children across Florida to create and share uniquely decorated hand artwork in an effort to remind policymakers to consider the children during the 2017 legislative session. Camp Fire staff attended CPR training at the Camp Fire/PSC Youth Development Center. Congrats to Vanna English and April Brantley for completing Camp Fire Level 1 learning lab training in February! Camp Fire Longleaf Elementary Afterschool had a wonderful time learning about teeth and dentistry recently. Dental students from the PSC Warrington Campus came and gave demonstrations of proper brushing and flossing. It was great fun and everyone learned a lot. Page 4
Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center January : We celebrated our 100th day of school by dressing up as 100 year olds. We made an ice snow man, had a snow ball fight, to helps us learn about winter. We also celebrated literacy week in January by making an effort to red as many books as we could. February : We learned about Groundhogs Day, Celebrated Valentine s Day by exchanging Valentine cards. We learned about some of our Black leaders, in observance of Black History Month. March : We Celebrated Dr. Seuss B- day by reading his books all week long and learning to rhyme. We will be learning about spring, by observing all the different changes that happen around us, such as weather, leaves budding and turning green. March 21st we go to the Century Rehabilitation Center to hunt Easter eggs that the residents have hidden for the children. On Friday March 22nd we will have a big Easter egg hunt here at the center for all the children. Camp Fire Scenic Heights Afterschool January: we did STEM activities including building bridges with toothpicks and licorice. The bridges were judged by creativity, durability, and uniqueness. The Pensacola Ice Flyers came by and did a Q&A with the children about hockey safety and the rules of the game. February: We celebrated Mardi-Gras with creating our own floats and celebrating with our own parade. Also we taught the children the benefits of meditation to decrease anxiety. Page 5
Be sure to follow us on social media: @CFGulfWind, CampFireGulfwind and @CFGulfWind! Our social media accounts are full of pictures, information and the latest messaging from Camp Fire! October was Bullying Prevention month and we posted videos of role playing, communication tips and conflict resolution information. November the theme was CAMP FIRE STRONG, and in December Thrive{ology}. Also in December, we posted lots of videos from national about Camp Fire programs. They are really cool, and still viewable! In the coming months we will focus on Goals, Reflection and AIKD, and you don t want to miss the fun! If your kid is in Camp Fire, please follow us, like us, and repost us! These are the accounts to follow: Instagram: CampFireGulfWind and CampFireNHQ Twitter @CFGulfWind and @CampFireNHQ Facebook: @CFGulfWind and @CampFireNHQ YouTube: CampFireNHQ Camp Fire National HQ blog is at http://campfire.org/ blog Published and produced by: CAMP FIRE GULF WIND, INC. 1814 Creighton Road Pensacola, FL 32504 850-476-1760 info@cfgulfwind.org www.campfirekids.com Have some special news you would like to share with Camp Fire? Contact Libbi Crowe at LCrowe@CFGulfWind.org. Page 6