Camp Fire Central Ohio

Our Mission

“Camp Fire USA builds caring confident youth and future leaders .”

Our Vision

“Reuniting children and nature; 10,000 kids in the woods by 2010.”

Core Values

Camp Fire USA adheres to 12 core values that guide the development of programs and the organization as a whole:

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

The Central Ohio Council’s eight points of professionalism

• INCLUSIVENESS – We will be open to every person in the communities we serve, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity. We will act to reduce sex-role, racial and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships.
• RELIABILITY- We will be responsible for the quality of our work and strive to be resourceful, creative, and innovative to assure our goals are met in a timely and professional manner. We will always be prepared and on time to events and meetings. We will return phone calls and e-mails promptly. We will renegotiate deadlines prior to the due date if we can’t meet them.
• TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP – We will always be supportive, fair, courteous, and respectful when working with others. We respect everyone’s individual talents and perspectives and lend our strengths whenever needed.
• COMMUNICATION – We will express ourselves as positive, friendly, and knowledgeable individuals through our words, dress, and actions. We will practice empathic listening and express appreciation for the work of others. We will communicate our expectations, needs, and constructive criticism clearly and respectfully. We will keep up to date with in-house communications. We will always be sincere and honest with our words, and will avoid non-productive communication such as gossip.
• TRUST & INTEGRITY – We will be honest, fair, and candid in everything we say and do. We will perform all council roles with an attitude of trust and trustworthiness.
• INITIATIVE – We will demonstrate independent actions and support independent thinking in others by creating our own work plans and helping others understand and meet the council goals.
• EMPOWERMENT – We will empower each other by believing in others and ourselves, removing obstacles so individual and council goals can be reached, and recognizing everyone’s efforts and achievements.
• ALIGNMENT – We will always align our actions with the council’s values and goals.