Give a Gift to Camp Fire USA.

"Better Kids Make a Better World" is the motto of Camp Fire USA. This is why the people behind Camp Fire USA strive to build youth into caring, confident, future leaders. Through Camp Fire USA's many programs, boys and girls develop better social competency skills and learn to constructively use their time. Camp Fire USA and Camp Fire USA Central New York Council's Camp Talooli provide a diverse environment that enables children of various backgrounds to come together a sense od identity, and more importantly, a sense of community within Camp Talooli.. Camp Fire USA leaders strive to extend the ideas of identity and community further into their campers' lives. The diversity at Camp Fire USA spans from suburban to city lifestyles, and includes a range of abilities and children of all races. While these youth interact, they build a foundation for the understanding of diversity. Camp Fire USA offers a unique way for children to learn and challenge themselves.

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Camp Fire USA has been serving the families of Central New York area since 1925. Many generations have attended camp, which teaches children and teens life skills that will help them become competent adults. These life skills are acquired through activities that encourage environmental awareness, lasting friendships, fun, discovery, and challenges.

When compared to the national average of children with social competency skills, Camp Fire USA campers score significantly higher than the national average.

A few of the social competency skills that campers take away with them are the ability to:

          ● Appreciate many cultures and backgrounds
          ● Plan and make choices
          ● Solve problems nonviolently
          ● Have empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.

These abilities help build a sense of confidence and purpose in youth according to the Search Institute, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities (www.search-institute.org). From these skills, children will be less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors like using drugs and alcohol, or engaging in sexual activity. They will be more likely to succeed in school and volunteer in their community. Because of Camp Fire USA and Camp Talooli's diversity, children come to know one another as individuals, across lines of race, ability, and socioeconomic status.

The 2000 Census shows us an America that is becoming more ethnically diverse. However, researchers at the State University of New York note that children still live in largely segregates neighborhoods. For this reason, child development specialists recommend that parents choose camps or playgrounds that have children of different races, religions, and nationalities. (Childhood Segregation Increasing, Study Warns, by Sara K. Rea, CWK Network.)

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One of the largest and most successful ventures of Camp Fire USA in the Central New York area is Camp Talooli, located north of Syracuse. Camp Talooli provides positive role models, structured experiences, and a sense of belonging. Youth get to try new things, set and accomplish goals, and develop critical leadership skills. Opportunities for community service are an essential part of the Camp Talooli experience. Campers learn about community service starting with Camp Talooli.

Each year, the campers make an effort to keep the camp as they found it. Cleaning the cabins and pathways, and building benches are just a few of the ways that children learn to serve their community, even if it is the Camp Talooli community at first. An appreciation for the camp community cultivates into an appreciation for their home community in the future. An understanding and appreciation for the natural environment underlies everything that the campers learn.

Each season at Camp Talooli, over 1200 children grow as caring and confident persons while gaining leadership skills. Among the other abilities that campers learn, leadership skills can evolve greatly at Camp Talooli. A love of Camp Talooli develops into an aspiration to continue to serve and help the camp continue its excellence. Campers can become counselors-in-training and eventually counselors, assisting a new generation of campers. Youth repeatedly give back to Camp Talooli all that they have taken out, fostering a longevity that keeps Camp Talooli one of the best camps in the central New York area.

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Camp Talooli has been so influential in children's' lives that enrollment increased more than 50% for summer camp and a waiting list has been implemented so that everyone has an opportunity to go to camp. Camp Fire USA wishes to accommodate as many children as possible to do so, Camp Fire USA would like to:

          ● Double the capacity of the resident camp which includes a new dining hall, cabins, and shower
                    houses
          ● Increase program options with expanded challenge activities, environmental education, and arts
          ● Expand the use of Camp Talooli in the spring and fall
          ● Construct a staff residence to accommodate a full-time Camp Ranger

Clearly, the benefits gained from participating in Camp Fire USA are essential for the lives of all young people, and yet some are not able to participate because of limited space and resources. Significant waiting lists for summer camp, solid outcome data, and deepening needs for children and youth services are all indicators that it is time for Talooli and Camp Fire USA to grow. It is time to make the circle around the campfire larger, so that more children are able to benefit.

Your donation towards Camp Fire's $800,000 campaign would support the construction of a new dining lodge, new shower facilities, additional cabins, as well as road and utilities improvement. By reaching the additional $200,000 campaign challenge, Camp Talooli would be able to complete additional cabins, renovate an arts center, and construct a staff residence. Camp Fire programs will also be enhanced through options such as an expanded ropes course, improved art and nature areas, a new music program, and new equipment such as tents and archery.

In the past, community support at critical points in time made it possible for Camp Fire USA to grow and reach increasing numbers of children. You can help Camp Fire continue its record of excellence by offering your support to the Camp Fire USA Central New York Council. Through your gift, you will be building more than campfires - you will be building caring and confident youth, and future leaders who are equipped to face the challenges of our world.

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