Camp Fire Compass - Fall 2018

COMPASS CAMP FIRE FIRST TEXAS

COVER STORY

❷ From Cradle to College

What began as a pizza party during pick-up time from child care 18 years ago turned into a life-long bond between families. A group of adults, many of them first-time parents, in the Camp Fire Child Development Center infant room were looking for the same things – resources and friendship. Fast-forward to today, as high school graduation approaches, six families credit their family-like friendships to Camp Fire. (continued inside on p.2)

❹ Summer Notes

and Quotes

❻ Report Card:

School Readiness Lessons Last

❼ New Topgolf

Fundraiser

FALL/WINTER 2018

Ann-ecdotes

October 2018

Planning. The mention of that word sometimes elicits a shrug, or a sigh, and occasionally an audible groan. But we plan every day in our personal lives, from small choices like what to wear to larger decisions such as the selection of a career or college. At Camp Fire, planning is also a part of our everyday work.

This is the first year of Camp Fire’s 2018 – 2020 Strategic Plan, which focuses on three interrelated strategic imperatives: ++ Viability – how do we ensure the long-term financial health of the organization? ++ Influence – how do we reinforce our respected position in the community? ++ Participation – how do we serve more in our community?

VIP – easy to remember, but not always easy to accomplish!

So we plan – for the long term, for the year, for the program or event, and for every day. These plans lead to what we do for youth and the community and it’s important to report on what we accomplish. For example, check out the stories in this edition of the Compass: ++ Viability – See the results of the new fundraiser for Camp Fire at Topgolf and learn about our program for planned giving.

The upcoming An Artists’ Christmas is our largest fundraiser; see what’s in store for the event this November. ++ Influence – The School Readiness story showcases third graders who are surpassing their peers in important skills.

“From Cradle to College” tells the story of a group of families influenced over almost 20 years by their ties to Camp Fire from infancy through high school graduation and beyond. ++ Participation – Highlights from Camp Fire summer camping programs, the Early Childhood Conference, and Teens in Action provide examples of participation by youth and adults in Camp Fire’s three focus areas of outdoor programs, professional growth, and youth development.

Great planning yields great results – and we’re very pleased to share that three Camp Fire individuals have been singled out for their hard work, dedication and results by three different organizations.

Congratulations to Camp Fire board member Travis Patterson, who was recently selected to be one of 20 young attorneys in Texas to be a part of the 2018 – 19 Leadership SBOT, sponsored by the State Bar of Texas. Kudos to the volunteer director of El Tesoro de la Vida, Denis Cranford, who was honored by the Fort Worth Business Press as the Corporate Philanthropy Outstanding Volunteer of 2018 for his twenty-five years of volunteer leadership.

Finally, we’re very proud that After School Coordinator Melanie Marshall has been chosen to participate in the American Express Leadership Academy’s Class, a highly selective training program which convenes 72 of the nation’s most promising emerging leaders in the non-profit sector for a year-long experience.

We’re pleased to share with you these stories and results that Camp Fire volunteers and staff have accomplished. Here’s to great planning for the future and even more positive results ahead!

Ann Sheets President/CEO

❷

Cradle to College For 25 years, the Camp Fire Child Development Center has served as a cornerstone for young families who not only need quality care for their children, but also seek a community of support. “Everything from the beginning was all about familycentered child care,” Cindy Hames, a parent of one of the Camp Fire infants – now high school graduate said. “That was the whole idea – that it wasn’t just day care or dropping your kids off to be watched. It was about a family-centeredness that helped parents understand the importance of early childhood education. I had no idea what that was going to turn into as far as developing life-long friends.”

Soon, the get-togethers at pickup turned into first birthday parties. Then playdates at each other’s houses. Holiday parties.

More birthdays. New Year’s Eve celebrations. Elementary school carpools.

As time passed, relationships grew.

their

Within a few years, the families weren’t just spending time together – they were moving homes to be closer to each other.

This year, the group of family friends adds “graduation party” to their list of milestones shared as all the children head off to college in the fall.

(continued from cover)

“This is what high-quality, family-centered child care does. These kids are all going off to really great things – they’ve all been successful. We credit that to early care and education. Camp Fire got us on the right path and we are all so very grateful,” Hames said.

Camp Fire Child Development Center continues the important work of educating children, families and early educators in our community. Watch the video at CampFireFW.org/CDC/ to see first-hand how this program lays the groundwork for successful outcomes.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the school in August 1993.

Did your child attend the Child Development Center? Follow Camp Fire’s Facebook page for “Where are they now?” features and celebrations for this milestone year.

Annual Early Childhood Conference Laughs, Dances and Sings In April, a record number (525) of early childhood professionals danced, learned and laughed along side the wildly popular and nationally recognized early childhood educator, Dr. Jean Feldman (pictured at right).

I’ve been in child care for over 30 years and after attending hundreds of trainings, the Camp Fire trainings are always quality trainings. I always learn something new.

– 2018 conference attendee Camp Fire’s Early Childhood Conference is the signature professional development event for early educators in the community featuring nationally known speakers and top-of-the line presenters who discuss recent research in early childhood and how to incorporate and use it to benefit children in the classrooms and beyond.

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Notes & Quotes from Camp 94% of youth feel happy, heard and supported by Camp Fire.

“No matter what your personality is, or what you look like, or how you act — you’re going to find a friend at camp.”

– El Tesoro camper

Camp Fire summer camps grew 8% this year, which means more youth experienced outdoor time, “I try to make something different each day in the maker space. If it doesn’t work, I just try again.”

self-discovery, growth mindset, leadership development and fun!

“I was really nervous to perform for the Diamond Hill Station talent show, but once I started singing with my friends, I felt better.”

– Westcliff day camper

– Diamond Hill Station day camper

“Being able to come to camp is essential for me to de-stress after school. Going for two weeks is something I need every year. It’s good for me.”

– El Tesoro camper

“There are so many activities at camp. If you don’t like one, you can try something else. You’ll always find something that works for you.”

– El Tesoro camper

❹

Teens in Action Camp Fire Teens in Action weaves together personal development, skill building, volunteering and career and college coaching to support teens attending Northside and Diamond Hill Jarvis High Schools, and Kirkpatrick and Meacham Middle Schools.

Odalys Camargo is one of five graduating Teens in Action this year, despite having a challenging junior year. Illness of a parent shifted her role from that of a National Honor Society, soccer playing student, to one of caregiver to her younger siblings.

When she began her senior year, she realized her extracurricular involvement was lacking for her to be a strong candidate for college acceptance. “I met the Camp Fire leaders at lunch and while I wanted my senior year to be fun and be able to spend a lot of time with my friends, I knew I needed volunteer hours and to be more involved.”

Over the course of the year, Odalys not only secured volunteer hours to support her NHS status, but discovered how good it felt to be of service to her community and to help those in her neighborhood and school. She

befriended the freshmen in the Teens in Action group and became a peer mentor for them too.

Her volunteering and mentoring were successful. She headed off to Texas Woman’s University this fall to pursue a degree rooted in the sciences. “I want to be a pediatrician, but there are many undergraduate degrees that support that. I am not sure which path I’ll take,” she shared.

What Our Teens Do

New Designation for Ongoing Learning Camp Fire First Texas’ influence in education and professional development is about to get bigger! Camp Fire has been approved as a continuing professional education (CPE) provider for the State of Texas.

Teaching our youth isn’t enough – educators are required to continue to educate themselves to ensure our children are receiving the best education possible.

CPE can be used by public and private school teachers to fill the requirements of mandatory annual continuing education hours which: ++ adds a new population of Professional Development participants to Camp Fire classes, ++ increases the likelihood that schools would use Camp Fire for Professional Development, and ++ increases the likelihood that teachers would attend our community Professional Development sessions.

❺

Report Card: School Readiness Lessons Last In 1995, Camp Fire embarked on a pilot program to improve children’s ability to learn by making sure they arrived at Kindergarten with the educational, social and emotional regulatory skills to succeed. To do this, Camp Fire maximizes the early learning experiences for children ages 0-5 when 85% of their brain development occurs. The program continues to show positive results.

0

40.8

Spring 2013

75 48.7 50 42.5 25

62.3 47.5 40.8

44.7 42.7

48.7 57.6 42.5

100

ITBS

ITBS

66.575 62.3

44.7

60.750 57.642.3

42.7

25

38.7

0 0 Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring 2013 2014 2015 2017 2016 2013 2014 2015 2016

Kindergarten Reading Achievement

CFSRP

CFSRP

COMPARISON

COMPARISON

100

SAT10

SAT10 66.575

Average Normal Curve Equivalent

25

47.5

Average Normal Curve Equivalent

Average Normal Curve Equivalent

75 50

SAT10

SAT10

Average Normal Curve Equivalent

100

100

51.4 60.750 47.5 25

42.3 38.7

49.1

51.4

46.1

47.5

ITBS

ITBS 61.5

61.4

61.5

57.7

57.6

49.1 57.6

46.1

0 Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring 20172014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2017 2016

Kindergarten Math Achievement

This year’s data showed children in Camp Fire supported programs continue to outperform their peers when entering school. The data also demonstrated that these early learning benefits continue through third grade, a benchmark known to many as a predictor of lifelong school success.

CFSRP

CFSRP

COMPARISON

COMPARISON

To read the full outcomes report, visit www.CampFireFW.org/School-Readiness

Family Jewels: Camp Fire Blog Excerpt It is a privilege to be on the listeningend of childhood tales of Camp Fire supporters in North Texas, but also from states coast-to-coast. When preparing for an Alumni Reunion, one proud grandmother shared she would be attending as a former Blue Bird, along with her daughter who is an El Tesoro alum and grandchild who is a current camper. This is a remarkable story

about the long-lasting impact of Camp Fire, but not an unusual one.

There are Camp Fire grandparents and parents who want to make sure their precious jewels—like the experience of Camp El Tesoro—will be passed down in their family for years to come.

Simply, that is the definition of a planned gift: a promise to preserve and support Camp Fire programs, for generations to

come. It is a legacy you create now, that will make an impact after your passing. A planned gift combines your desire to share the experience of Camp Fire with your overall financial, tax, and estate planning goals. You will plan ahead to make sure your family receives your most meaningful “things”, and if it is the experience of Camp Fire, then we can make is easy to give that gift to your children.

Read the full blog at www.CampFireFW.org/Blog/ and see how easy it is to set up a planned gift to support Camp Fire.

❻

S 2

Calling All Alumni

In April, 45 alumni and their families met at Camp El Tesoro for a day to reconnect and learn about the fledgling Alumni Association. More events will be happening soon, so get signed up and start taking advantage of the friendships and fun times still to be had – including a special alumni activity track at Camping Weekends at El Tesoro.

Go Golfing: New Fundraiser Success Thanks to the Board of Directors’ ingenuity, Camp Fire kicked off a soon-to-be repeated golfing event chaired by Travis Patterson.

The unique tournament concept was held at Topgolf Fort Worth. The fresh event and energy resulted in an evening of live music from Andrew Sullivan, long-drive competitions, “Beat the Pro” challenges and laughs. The 2019 event will be held on March 7.

Save the Date Camp Fire’s Report to the Community Event February 7, 2019 5 – 7 p.m.

Details to follow on CampFireFW.org/Events/

Check out the event photo album on Camp Fire’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/CampFireFW/

❼

Camp Fire First Texas 2700 Meacham Blvd.

Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4699

Non-profit org.

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CampFireFW.org

Fort Worth, TX Permit 2480

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Camp Fire 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.

Light the fire within

When finished with Compass, please pass along or recycle responsibly.

Kick off your holiday season

2018 Board Members CAMP FIRE BOARD NOVEMBER 10, 2018

AN ARTISTS’ CHRISTMAS

An Artists’ Christmas Art Auction & Gala Saturday, November 10, 2018 6:00 o’ clock • Black Tie Fort Worth Zoo, The Reserve at the New African Savanna

Tables & tickets available online at CampFireFW.org

Mark Your Calendars: An Artists’ Christmas...........................November 10, 2018 Breakfast with Santa...........................December 1, 2018 El Tesoro Trail Run...............................January 2019 Report to the Community....................February 7, 2019 Topgolf Tournament............................March 7, 2019 El Tesoro de la Vida Benefit Dinner......April 16, 2019

Chairman of the Board Bill McCoy Vice Chairman, Administration Jake Yarbrough Vice Chairman, Financial Development Jerri O. Akers Vice Chairman, Planning Drenda Williams Witt Treasurer Courtney Garner Lewis Secretary Kelli Walter Directors Katie Briggs Anne Carvalho Michelle Clark Dr. Jared Cobb Jim DeBacker Kimberly DeWoody Dianna Flores MA, LPC Jason Helton Clay Hooper Jay Jackson Donna James-Harvey Lisa D. Mares Randi Mitchell John Molyneaux

Chuck Mooney Russ Morris W. Travis Patterson Robert J. Reeb, III Goldie Rhone Evelyn H. Richardson Roland Schafer Jenene Schaffer Derrick Thomas Carlos Walker Brett Weeks Corey Marie Weeks Kay L. West EL TESORO FOUNDATION BOARD Chairman of the Board Kevin Garman Vice Chairman Nina Hutton Secretary/Treasurer Brandon Chase Bob Ferguson Linda Jacobson Adelaide Leavens Drew Springer PRESIDENT/CEO Ann Sheets