A record of the Meetings and Goings-On of our Family Community Club
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Sewing patch on!
Paris, Adventure level, sews her patch on. She is working hard to get her seams as invisible as possible in the final product. After, she plans on starting to design her bead pattern.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Meeting idea
Tagteam race one child goes out at a time to find a puzzle piece. once all the puzzle pieces have been found they have to, as a group, put them together.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
December's Meeting - Homemade Gifts!
I'm especially excited about this month's meeting.
Firstly, and most wonderfully, we're finally getting the vests to the kids!
The Adventure level kids will be getting their first beads! For the meetings that they have already attended, credit for the trails that they've worked on. We'll show the vest example off, and explain how they can design their own pictures with their beads. Future meetings will have bead sewing as part of the on-going Early Bird activity.
The Starflight level kids have earned their first group of 4 stickers AND their first patch! We'll explain how it works, how it is different from Adventure level. Starflight earns more patches than Adventure, they'll start earning beads once they're Adventure.
The children will get their vest and whatever award items. For that meeting, however, they can just put their vest on. Once each child has been recognized, we'll move on to the main part of the meeting: Making Homemade Gifts!
Gifts from the heart and made by hand show so much love, especially when children themselves make them. We'd like to offer an opportunity for the children to make a few gifts of their own to give for Hannukah/Christmas.
There will be 3 stations, possibly 4 - different activities where the kids end up with gifts that they can then have for the holidays.
Early Bird Activity: Stamping wrapping paper.
Firstly, and most wonderfully, we're finally getting the vests to the kids!
The Adventure level kids will be getting their first beads! For the meetings that they have already attended, credit for the trails that they've worked on. We'll show the vest example off, and explain how they can design their own pictures with their beads. Future meetings will have bead sewing as part of the on-going Early Bird activity.
The Starflight level kids have earned their first group of 4 stickers AND their first patch! We'll explain how it works, how it is different from Adventure level. Starflight earns more patches than Adventure, they'll start earning beads once they're Adventure.
The children will get their vest and whatever award items. For that meeting, however, they can just put their vest on. Once each child has been recognized, we'll move on to the main part of the meeting: Making Homemade Gifts!
Gifts from the heart and made by hand show so much love, especially when children themselves make them. We'd like to offer an opportunity for the children to make a few gifts of their own to give for Hannukah/Christmas.
There will be 3 stations, possibly 4 - different activities where the kids end up with gifts that they can then have for the holidays.
Station 1: Card Making. We'll have the kids paint their hand & press it on the card- they can make a reindeer or mistletoe. There will be "Made with Love"
Station 2: Homemade Chia Pets Using stockings, seeds, and potting soil, the kids will be making a round shapes. From there, they can put a face on it with materials.
Station 3: Mini Succulent Planters w/Corks Using corks, the kids will plant a little succulent plant, glue on a piece of magnet to the cork.
The fourth station is still being worked on - it may be too expensive. We may have this station at an additional charge, or ask members to bring in a jar to use.
Station 4: Cowboy Cookie Mix The kids can fill a jar with the necessary ingredients to make cookies. They can tie the directions on to the jar, etc.
Kids can go from station to station making gifts so they can be ready for the season's gift-giving.
We'll then have the potluck, followed by the closing circle.
(Starflight - Trail to Family and Community, A Better Community, A Gift of Giving, p. 54. Adventure - Trail to Family & Community, A Gift of Giving, generic)
(Starflight - Trail to Family and Community, A Better Community, A Gift of Giving, p. 54. Adventure - Trail to Family & Community, A Gift of Giving, generic)
Friday, November 23, 2012
puppet theme meeting?
These spoons would make a super cute center piece to a puppet theme meeting. Another thought is to check out whether 2nd hand stores have wooden spoons that we could use. Or ask club members to check their kitchens for neglected spoons?
What could the performance part be?
Rainstick
Good meeting for Jan or Feb. When we have rain. Need tp or paper towel tubes. Things to decorate outside. Things on inside for rice to hit.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Dec. meeting planning ideas
Just posting to have a place to put my thoughts for the next meeting.
Early bird activity: painting: http://picklebums.com/2012/07/24/easy-art-for-kids-experimenting-with-water-colours/#
This meeting, I'd like to *finally* introduce the DARN VESTS! I want to hand out vests, hand out a patch or two (if I can get the camp fire patches ordered), PLUS hand out a few beads for each trail the kids have done something on. Then, give them some embroidery floss, needles, and have them learn how to sew them onto their vests.
Then I need something that lets the kids run around, get their wiggles out. Another scavenger hunt? Or...? Research ideas - review list created at parent meeting.
I'd love to have the kids make their own pizzas for dinner and get a couple of parents to bring in toaster ovens to cook them.
Early bird activity: painting: http://picklebums.com/2012/07/24/easy-art-for-kids-experimenting-with-water-colours/#
This meeting, I'd like to *finally* introduce the DARN VESTS! I want to hand out vests, hand out a patch or two (if I can get the camp fire patches ordered), PLUS hand out a few beads for each trail the kids have done something on. Then, give them some embroidery floss, needles, and have them learn how to sew them onto their vests.
Then I need something that lets the kids run around, get their wiggles out. Another scavenger hunt? Or...? Research ideas - review list created at parent meeting.
I'd love to have the kids make their own pizzas for dinner and get a couple of parents to bring in toaster ovens to cook them.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
November Meeting Debrief
There were many changes to this meeting this month.
Firstly, we skipped the tent set up activity all-together. It was delegated to me to do, as well as running the Early Bird activity. I was cleaning up from the moon tissue paper activity and by the time I was done with that, there wasn't enough time to do it. Besides, a couple of the dads were able to teach the kids a new knot.
We started with the moon tissue paper early bird activity. It worked out well, for the most part the kids enjoyed it and wanted to participate in it (kind of a challenge with our group at times).
During the meeting, we concluded that having the moon phases cookie activity would be better done at the end of the meeting, after the pot luck. Mostly because of the fact that it meant so many cookies for the kids right before lunch.
The low ropes activity was great. Bird Man did a great job. Had the kids working together, building team work, etc. Half of the group did that with Bird Man, while the other half learned this month's knot - a square knot.
Once they had the knot down, a club mom, Julia played ukulele & sang the Camp Fire Wish song with the kids, while club dad Nick accompanied on guitar. They seemed to really enjoy that.
Once both groups got done with the ropes, we had the pot luck. At the end, the phases of the moon with sandwich cookies project. Sang the Make New Friends song and then we were done!
I don't mind all the changes we had to the meeting this month, however, I do find it more stressful running meetings this way. I also feel less confident and more out of control during the meeting when things go this way.
All in all, a successful meeting, that can be improved upon in the future.
Until next time!
Alex
Firstly, we skipped the tent set up activity all-together. It was delegated to me to do, as well as running the Early Bird activity. I was cleaning up from the moon tissue paper activity and by the time I was done with that, there wasn't enough time to do it. Besides, a couple of the dads were able to teach the kids a new knot.
We started with the moon tissue paper early bird activity. It worked out well, for the most part the kids enjoyed it and wanted to participate in it (kind of a challenge with our group at times).
During the meeting, we concluded that having the moon phases cookie activity would be better done at the end of the meeting, after the pot luck. Mostly because of the fact that it meant so many cookies for the kids right before lunch.
The low ropes activity was great. Bird Man did a great job. Had the kids working together, building team work, etc. Half of the group did that with Bird Man, while the other half learned this month's knot - a square knot.
Once they had the knot down, a club mom, Julia played ukulele & sang the Camp Fire Wish song with the kids, while club dad Nick accompanied on guitar. They seemed to really enjoy that.
Once both groups got done with the ropes, we had the pot luck. At the end, the phases of the moon with sandwich cookies project. Sang the Make New Friends song and then we were done!
I don't mind all the changes we had to the meeting this month, however, I do find it more stressful running meetings this way. I also feel less confident and more out of control during the meeting when things go this way.
All in all, a successful meeting, that can be improved upon in the future.
Until next time!
Alex
November Meeting
Today's meeting is a prep for the camping trip coming up here in a couple of weeks. We'll be discussing the moon & phases of the moon. Because of the science nature of this month's meeting, it will count for a Trail to the Future credit.
Early Bird craft is a piece of paper that is cut into a moon shape. The kids will glue tissue paper squares to the moon, hole punch a hole in it and tie a string on it to hang up in their room. http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.jp/search/label/moon
Then we will see if anyone remembers the Camp Fire Wish and can recite it. We'll say it all together.
We'll learn about the phases of the moon via sandwich cookies. Run by a club member mom (Elizabeth).
At approx. 11 a.m. a low ropes activity will start, run by a Camp Fire employee (Bird Man). Half of the group will go with him. The other half will start a Tent Building activity, where they will learn how to put together a tent.
The groups will swap positions at some point.
Then we'll close the meeting and start the pot luck.
See you there!
Alex
(Starflight - Trail to the Future, Something Called Space, Fun With Science, p. 114. Adventure - Trail to the Future, Science Wonders, generic)
Early Bird craft is a piece of paper that is cut into a moon shape. The kids will glue tissue paper squares to the moon, hole punch a hole in it and tie a string on it to hang up in their room. http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.jp/search/label/moon
Then we will see if anyone remembers the Camp Fire Wish and can recite it. We'll say it all together.
We'll learn about the phases of the moon via sandwich cookies. Run by a club member mom (Elizabeth).
At approx. 11 a.m. a low ropes activity will start, run by a Camp Fire employee (Bird Man). Half of the group will go with him. The other half will start a Tent Building activity, where they will learn how to put together a tent.
The groups will swap positions at some point.
Then we'll close the meeting and start the pot luck.
See you there!
Alex
(Starflight - Trail to the Future, Something Called Space, Fun With Science, p. 114. Adventure - Trail to the Future, Science Wonders, generic)
Friday, October 12, 2012
Calendar for the 2012-2013 Club Year
Calendar
Monthly Meetings. Generally alternating monthly, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. & Mondays at 4 p.m.
| Sunday Morning Meetings | Monday Afternoon Meetings |
| November 4 | December 3 |
| January 6 | February 4 |
| March 3 | April 8 |
| May 5 | June 3 |
| Monthly Hikes - 3rd Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. |
| October | Volunteer at Spoocktacular in place of a regular monthly hike. |
| November | The hike will be held during the Epic Camping Trip on November 17+18. |
| December | Sunday, 16th |
| January | Sunday, 20th |
| February | Sunday, 17th |
| March | Sunday, 17th |
| April | Sunday, 21st |
| May | Sunday, 19th |
| June | Sunday, 16th |
Updated Manifesto
WoHeLo!*
You are invited to join Alex & Christina’s Campfire Family Club, a multi-aged (4-11) co-ed group that explores arts, environment, camping, crafts, business, community service and more. We’ll be meeting monthly at Camp Cahito, Campfire SD’s Balboa Park location.
Background on Campfire USA
Campfire USA provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. The organization’s mission statement is Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and future leaders. The motto is “Give Service.” Founded in 1910, Camp Fire's programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and child care. It has a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy: "We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth, and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or other aspects of diversity."
Camp Fire USA was established with a strong foundation and belief in providing positive outdoor experiences for youth. The Camp Fire USA mission, core values and the belief that children need a connection with the natural world is fundamental to all Camp Fire USA programs. You can read more about the organization’s program philosophy here: http://ww2.campfireusa.org/all_about_us/program_philosophy.asp
At the local level, clubs are led by adult volunteer teams who use/adapt Campfire’s progressive and flexible curriculum. Kids earn recognition awards, in the form of emblems and beads, for completing service projects and activities that are part of Campfire’s program “trails” – to Knowing Me, to Family and Community, to Creativity and to the Future.
How it works
The ToCo Campfire Club (Totally Cool) will convene once per month for our formal 2 hr. club meeting at Camp Cahito in Balboa Park. (See below for schedule.) There will be a more casual nature walk (hike) programmed once per month for families and any guests who members want to invite. We’ll have an overnight camping trip once or twice a year (once in the fall, once in the late spring), possibly at Campfire’s WoLaHi facility in the Laguna Mountains.
At the club meetings, the kids will be grouped by age to undertake age-appropriate projects, which will be adapted from the national Camp Fire curriculum.
Families will stay connected and conduct club business and event planning on the club’s Facebook group.
Expectations
- To participate in the club, all children must be active members of the local chapter of Camp Fire (Camp Fire SDI), at a cost of $60 per family per year.
- Because the club can only be successful with consistent participation by the children, attendance at regular monthly meetings will be mandatory. However, nature walks, field trips and other activities are optional.
- We are testing a Sunday-only attendance option for those families who are unable to attend the Monday afternoon meetings.
- Volunteer adult leadership is a key component of the Club Program. Parent participation is necessary for our club to be awesome. All adults will be responsible from time to time to run activities during meetings. Other adult responsibilities could include serving as treasurer, developing a project in conjunction with the trail that we are working on, shopping for supplies, running an activity station at meetings, being the bead/emblem diva, etc.
- As part of Camp Fire National’s requirements, we are normally required to participate in the annual candy sale. As our group will not promote the selling of candy, they are making an exception for us and we may sell other products TBD.
- As part of the local council service requirements, our group must volunteer for at least one council event (ex. Spooktacular, annual bday celebration, winter festival, Cahito clean up and work days, etc.) We will vote on which of these we would like to support.
Adult Participation and Behavior
Several parents will need to be present at each meeting to help out directing activities for all children. Together, we’ll develop a schedule for rotating parent participation that will enable the club to run smoothly.
Because of the rustic setting at Camp Cahito (where we meet), parents are expected to actively monitor children to ensure that they stay away from prohibited areas and do not engage in wild, dangerous play with sharp sticks.
Children’s Behavior
We want to maintain a positive and constructive environment. We will make every effort to help the children learn to work together and build a team. We want to foster a sense of inclusiveness, i.e. if a child isn’t being included, we, as adult participants, will work together to help include him/her. No bullying, name-calling, harassment and other forms of aggression will be tolerated. If your child is identified as having engaged in a hurtful behavior, we expect you to step in and work through this situation with your child to resolve it.
Food
At our monthly meeting we will be having a potluck meal using featuring healthy dishes made from all-natural ingredients.
- Bring nondisposable plates, cups, flatware and napkins for your family.
- We will have large vessel of water available to drink. Please don’t bring juices and sodas to the meetings
- Please take care to bring “real” food without artificial colors & flavors, high fructose corn syrup and other yucky additives.
Dues & other Fees
Membership to the local chapter, Camp Fire of San Diego & Imperial Counties, costs $60 per family annually and is separate, payable to Camp Fire SDI. Our Club dues of $20 first child/$15 siblings are payable once a quarter. This money belongs to the club and is used to pay for craft supplies, activities, and other club-related business. Club dues are payable in cash only. There will also be a fee of around $20 for uniforms.
Calendar
Monthly Meetings. Generally alternating monthly, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. & Mondays at 4 p.m.
| Sunday Morning Meetings | Monday Afternoon Meetings |
| November 4 | December 3 |
| January 6 | February 4 |
| March 3 | April 8 |
| May 5 | June 3 |
| Monthly Hikes - 3rd Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. |
| October | Volunteer at Spoocktacular in place of a regular monthly hike. |
| November | The hike will be held during the Epic Camping Trip on November 17+18. |
| December | Sunday, 16th |
| January | Sunday, 20th |
| February | Sunday, 17th |
| March | Sunday, 17th |
| April | Sunday, 21st |
| May | Sunday, 19th |
| June | Sunday, 16th |
Meeting Agendas & Documentation
A record of meeting activities is posted on a blog for posterity. Photos may also be posted from time to time. The blog URL is http://tococampfiresd.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Debriefing of October 2012 Meeting
Scavenger Hunt
The scavenger hunt portion of the meeting was a wild success. Parents loved the team building aspect. Should consider more active team building activities for future meetings.
Knot tying race
The knot tying race, while not thought out beforehand, and was done on the spot, was great. Here's what I came up with:
2 sets of 3 bags placed on the ground, with strings laying near them, spaced apart. The kids started at a bag, tied the Miller's knot then raced to the next bag to do the same. They raced each other to get it done. Someone (we had a knot expert dad there doing this) came behind and checked each knot after they finished it. He either decided it was a good knot, or declared it no good, and the child had to go back & redo their knot until they got it right. I was surprised by:
1. it took much longer to do this race than I thought. There were many "do overs"
2. even with this, the kids loved it. Meant the fastest did NOT always win, as their knot was often not quite right. Slow & steady wins the race!
How do firefighters get equipment quickly when they are one or more stories up in a building?
Our knot expert dad ended up showing the kids how firefighters bring equipment up stories of buildings quickly with rope and a couple of different knots - a clove hitch and a half hitch. We used a fallen branch as the equipment stand-in and pulled it up high using the crook of a tree as the example. It went very well.
The pot luck was great - one parent brought chili and others brought things to go with that, or other more substantial offerings. The last couple of months had seen a decline in our potlucks, so it was nice to see a return to something better.
Next month's meeting idea: Perhaps set up stations at 2-3 different trees where the kids can learn the clove hitch and half hitch and then hoist their object into the air.
(Starflight - Trail to Family and Community, Helping Others, Our Community. Adventure - Trail to Family and Community, generic)
The scavenger hunt portion of the meeting was a wild success. Parents loved the team building aspect. Should consider more active team building activities for future meetings.
Knot tying race
The knot tying race, while not thought out beforehand, and was done on the spot, was great. Here's what I came up with:
2 sets of 3 bags placed on the ground, with strings laying near them, spaced apart. The kids started at a bag, tied the Miller's knot then raced to the next bag to do the same. They raced each other to get it done. Someone (we had a knot expert dad there doing this) came behind and checked each knot after they finished it. He either decided it was a good knot, or declared it no good, and the child had to go back & redo their knot until they got it right. I was surprised by:
1. it took much longer to do this race than I thought. There were many "do overs"
2. even with this, the kids loved it. Meant the fastest did NOT always win, as their knot was often not quite right. Slow & steady wins the race!
How do firefighters get equipment quickly when they are one or more stories up in a building?
Our knot expert dad ended up showing the kids how firefighters bring equipment up stories of buildings quickly with rope and a couple of different knots - a clove hitch and a half hitch. We used a fallen branch as the equipment stand-in and pulled it up high using the crook of a tree as the example. It went very well.
The pot luck was great - one parent brought chili and others brought things to go with that, or other more substantial offerings. The last couple of months had seen a decline in our potlucks, so it was nice to see a return to something better.
Next month's meeting idea: Perhaps set up stations at 2-3 different trees where the kids can learn the clove hitch and half hitch and then hoist their object into the air.
(Starflight - Trail to Family and Community, Helping Others, Our Community. Adventure - Trail to Family and Community, generic)
Monday, October 8, 2012
October 2012 Meeting Itinerary
This month I'm attempting to roll with the intensity of what seems to be our typical Monday afternoon meetings. Our kids are feeling really rambunctious after school and are fired up and very wiggly (very different from Sunday morning meetings where things are calm, quiet, the kids are ready to learn and do less active activities). Here's the plan that will hopefully allow our kids to learn a little bit but also just plain have some fun.
Early Bird Activity: Led by Maria
The children will be asked to go find 5 different leaves and come back to the table. Maria will lead in helping the kids do some leaf rubbings.
Her backup activity is letting the kids glue some Halloween craft items to craft paper in whatever design they wish.
To start: We'll recite the Camp Fire Wish. Led by volunteer?
Ask: Can anyone do it from memory yet?
Knot Review: Led by Christina
Review last month's knot - The Miller's knot. Practice, spoiler alert: we'll have a race at the end of the meeting, so practicing now is important!
Main Activity: Scavenger Hunt! Led by Alex
Break the kids up into groups of 3, Adventure kids with Adventure, Starflight with Starflight. (don't mix Starflight & Adventure). Parents to go with Starflight to help with reading. Hand them their first clue, off they go!
Scavenger Hunt info file: download
Once back at home base, start teaching kids this month's knot, the half hitch.
Knot activity: Led by Christina & all parents
Learn Half Hitch. Practice.
End activity:
Knot race with Miller's knot.
Early Bird Activity: Led by Maria
The children will be asked to go find 5 different leaves and come back to the table. Maria will lead in helping the kids do some leaf rubbings.
Her backup activity is letting the kids glue some Halloween craft items to craft paper in whatever design they wish.
To start: We'll recite the Camp Fire Wish. Led by volunteer?
Ask: Can anyone do it from memory yet?
Knot Review: Led by Christina
Review last month's knot - The Miller's knot. Practice, spoiler alert: we'll have a race at the end of the meeting, so practicing now is important!
Main Activity: Scavenger Hunt! Led by Alex
Break the kids up into groups of 3, Adventure kids with Adventure, Starflight with Starflight. (don't mix Starflight & Adventure). Parents to go with Starflight to help with reading. Hand them their first clue, off they go!
Scavenger Hunt info file: download
Once back at home base, start teaching kids this month's knot, the half hitch.
Knot activity: Led by Christina & all parents
Learn Half Hitch. Practice.
End activity:
Knot race with Miller's knot.
- How many bags can you tie?
- How fast can you do it?
- If desired, race against a friend.
- For each bag tied, child gets one small piece of candy.
Pot Luck Dinner!
(Starflight - Trail to Family and Community, Helping Others, Our Community. Adventure - Trail to Family and Community, generic)
(Starflight - Trail to Family and Community, Helping Others, Our Community. Adventure - Trail to Family and Community, generic)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Purpose
Good and proper things start with a purpose. The purpose of this good and proper thing is to track the monthly meetings and goings on for the ToCo Camp Fire club, located in San Diego, CA.
Ours is a Family Community Club - something that can be a bit nebulous and thus, hard to define. This arises from it being something that the entire family is part of, all children within the family (once they are 4-5 years old) and at least one parent.
Our club's definition is still under refinement, and this is my perspective, one of two co-leaders of the club.
Co-leaders: Christina Abuelo and Alexandra Carter
This blog will offer as a resource to our planning future meetings and hopefully as a resource for other Camp Fire clubs in their meeting planning.
First, Christina and I came up with a core document for what we wanted out of the club and its future members. The document posted below is what we came up with, and is the purpose of our club.
WoHeLo!*
You are invited to join Alex & Christina’s Campfire Family Club, a multi-aged (4-10) co-ed group that explores arts, environment, camping, crafts, business, community service and more. We’ll be meeting monthly at Camp Cahito, Campfire SD’s Balboa Park location.
Background on Campfire USA
Campfire USA provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. The organization’s mission statement is Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and future leaders. The motto is “Give Service.” Founded in 1910, Camp Fire's programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and child care. It has a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy: "We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth, and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or other aspects of diversity."
Camp Fire USA was established with a strong foundation and belief in providing positive outdoor experiences for youth. The Camp Fire USA mission, core values and the belief that children need a connection with the natural world is fundamental to all Camp Fire USA programs. You can read more about the organization’s program philosophy here: http://ww2.campfireusa.org/all_about_us/program_philosophy.asp
At the local level, clubs are led by adult volunteer teams who use/adapt Campfire’s progressive and flexible curriculum. Kids earn recognition awards, in the form of emblems and beads, for completing service projects and activities that are part of Campfire’s program “trails” – to Knowing Me, to Family and Community, to Creativity and to the Future.
How it works
The ToCo Campfire Club (Totally Cool) will convene once per month for our formal 2 hr. club meeting at Camp Cahito in Balboa Park. (See below for schedule.) There will be a more casual nature walk programmed once per month for families and any guests that members want to invite. We’ll also plan to do an overnight camping trip once or twice a year, possibly at Campfire’s WoLaHi facility in the Laguna Mountains.
At the club meetings, the kids will be grouped by age to undertake age-appropriate projects, which will be adapted from the national Campfire curriculum.
Families will stay connected and conduct club business and event planning on the club’s Yahoo group.
Expectations
Adult Participation and Behavior
Several parents will need to be present at each meeting to help out directing activities for all children. Together, we’ll develop a schedule for rotating parent participation that will enable the club to run smoothly.
Children’s Behavior
We want to maintain a positive and constructive environment. We will make every effort to help the children learn to work together and build a team. We want to foster a sense of inclusiveness, i.e. if a child isn’t being included, we, as adult participants, will work together to help include him/her. No bullying, name-calling, harassment and other forms of aggression will be tolerated. If your child is identified as having engaged in a hurtful behavior, we expect you to step in and work through this situation with your child to resolve it.
Food
At our monthly meeting we will be having a potluck meal using nondisposable plates, flatware and napkins. Club members are asked to bring healthy dishes, featuring all-natural ingredients, to share. We will have large vessel of water available to drink. Please don’t bring juices and sodas to the meetings.
Dues & other Fees
Membership to the local chapter, Camp Fire of San Diego & Imperial Counties, costs $60 per family annually and is separate, payable to Camp Fire SDI. Our Club dues of $20 first child/$15 siblings are payable once a quarter. This money belongs to the club and is used to pay for craft supplies, activities, and other club-related business. Club dues are payable in cash only. There will also be a fee of around $20 for uniforms.
Calendar
Monthly Meetings. Generally alternating monthly, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. & Mondays at 4 p.m.
Monthly Hikes. Third Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m..
Locations to be announced at the monthly meeting.
Epic Camping Trip.
Weekend of Oct. 19-21
Ours is a Family Community Club - something that can be a bit nebulous and thus, hard to define. This arises from it being something that the entire family is part of, all children within the family (once they are 4-5 years old) and at least one parent.
Our club's definition is still under refinement, and this is my perspective, one of two co-leaders of the club.
Co-leaders: Christina Abuelo and Alexandra Carter
This blog will offer as a resource to our planning future meetings and hopefully as a resource for other Camp Fire clubs in their meeting planning.
First, Christina and I came up with a core document for what we wanted out of the club and its future members. The document posted below is what we came up with, and is the purpose of our club.
WoHeLo!*
You are invited to join Alex & Christina’s Campfire Family Club, a multi-aged (4-10) co-ed group that explores arts, environment, camping, crafts, business, community service and more. We’ll be meeting monthly at Camp Cahito, Campfire SD’s Balboa Park location.
Background on Campfire USA
Campfire USA provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. The organization’s mission statement is Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and future leaders. The motto is “Give Service.” Founded in 1910, Camp Fire's programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and child care. It has a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy: "We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth, and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or other aspects of diversity."
Camp Fire USA was established with a strong foundation and belief in providing positive outdoor experiences for youth. The Camp Fire USA mission, core values and the belief that children need a connection with the natural world is fundamental to all Camp Fire USA programs. You can read more about the organization’s program philosophy here: http://ww2.campfireusa.org/all_about_us/program_philosophy.asp
At the local level, clubs are led by adult volunteer teams who use/adapt Campfire’s progressive and flexible curriculum. Kids earn recognition awards, in the form of emblems and beads, for completing service projects and activities that are part of Campfire’s program “trails” – to Knowing Me, to Family and Community, to Creativity and to the Future.
How it works
The ToCo Campfire Club (Totally Cool) will convene once per month for our formal 2 hr. club meeting at Camp Cahito in Balboa Park. (See below for schedule.) There will be a more casual nature walk programmed once per month for families and any guests that members want to invite. We’ll also plan to do an overnight camping trip once or twice a year, possibly at Campfire’s WoLaHi facility in the Laguna Mountains.
At the club meetings, the kids will be grouped by age to undertake age-appropriate projects, which will be adapted from the national Campfire curriculum.
Families will stay connected and conduct club business and event planning on the club’s Yahoo group.
Expectations
- To participate in the club, all children must be active members of the local chapter of Campfire, at a cost of $60 per family per year.
- Because the club can only be successful with consistent participation by the children, attendance at regular monthly meetings will be mandatory. However, nature walks, field trips and other activities are optional.
- Volunteer adult leadership is a key component of the Club Program. Parent participation is necessary for our club to be awesome. Adult responsibilities could include serving as treasurer, developing a project in conjunction with the trail that we are working on, shopping for supplies, running an activity station at meetings, being the bead/emblem diva, etc.
- As part of Camp Fire National’s requirements, we are normally required to participate in the annual candy sale. As our group will not promote the selling of candy, they are making an exception for us and we may sell Growums (information located here: http://store.campfireusa.org/) instead (they are mini herb gardens for kids).
- As part of the local council service requirements, our group must volunteer for one council event (ex. Spooktacular, annual bday celebration, winter festival, Cahito clean up and work days, etc.) We will vote on which of these we would like to support.
Adult Participation and Behavior
Several parents will need to be present at each meeting to help out directing activities for all children. Together, we’ll develop a schedule for rotating parent participation that will enable the club to run smoothly.
Children’s Behavior
We want to maintain a positive and constructive environment. We will make every effort to help the children learn to work together and build a team. We want to foster a sense of inclusiveness, i.e. if a child isn’t being included, we, as adult participants, will work together to help include him/her. No bullying, name-calling, harassment and other forms of aggression will be tolerated. If your child is identified as having engaged in a hurtful behavior, we expect you to step in and work through this situation with your child to resolve it.
Food
At our monthly meeting we will be having a potluck meal using nondisposable plates, flatware and napkins. Club members are asked to bring healthy dishes, featuring all-natural ingredients, to share. We will have large vessel of water available to drink. Please don’t bring juices and sodas to the meetings.
Dues & other Fees
Membership to the local chapter, Camp Fire of San Diego & Imperial Counties, costs $60 per family annually and is separate, payable to Camp Fire SDI. Our Club dues of $20 first child/$15 siblings are payable once a quarter. This money belongs to the club and is used to pay for craft supplies, activities, and other club-related business. Club dues are payable in cash only. There will also be a fee of around $20 for uniforms.
Calendar
Monthly Meetings. Generally alternating monthly, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. & Mondays at 4 p.m.
| Sunday Meetings | Monday Meetings |
| May 6 | April 9 |
| July 15? | June 4 |
| September 9 | August 6 |
| November 4 | October 8 |
| December 3 |
Monthly Hikes. Third Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m..
Locations to be announced at the monthly meeting.
Epic Camping Trip.
Weekend of Oct. 19-21
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sept Club Meeting
September's meeting was held on the 9th. A Sunday meeting.
The meeting wasn't scheduled until a week after school started. I felt that it was important for our kids to address the anxiety and pressures of starting school, or going back to school. The Friday before school started, members who could, met at a park and made courage power bracelets - to be worn the first day of school. We used twine and beads. The kids really enjoyed it. Then they played on the playground.
Meeting Plan:
Sunday’s Camp Fire Meeting: Courage
Start with the Camp Fire Wish - hand out photo copies (for parents? younger kids won’t be able to read. All those who can read may do so, others can take their copy home and memorize it with help)
Early Bird Activity - Make paper boats - bring origami paper, example, printed instructions
Early Bird Activity - Work on tying knots - bring rope, printed knot typing instructions. Need parent to lead to show how to tie.
Notify parents that they must sign up to host a craft project. Bring sign up sheet. (Let’s wait until we calendarize the activities. We can do this online.)
Wendy lead whole group in yoga exercise - parents participate to make sure kids pay attention
Break into small groups. Discuss your courage drawing, the week at school, how things went the first day, how they are going now.
Small Group Activity: Courage Shields. Split shield into 4 quadrants. In each quadrant they draw one:
- favorite animal
- favorite food
- favorite color
- favorite activity/thing to do
Actual Meeting:
Started with paper boats. Worked well, as the kids trickled in and I was able to show the children 1 or 2 at a time how to make their boat.
Then we went to the Yoga exercise, which went brilliantly.
Then back to the tables where a club dad taught the kids a basic knot - the Miller's knot. He did a fantastic job telling a story about the history of the knot, then on to the actual knot.
After that, the kids made courage shields, which a parent helped turn into actual shields, by taping strips of paper on the back of it. The kids then ran around playing with them. The end. :)
(Starflight - Trail to Knowing Me, Feelings are OK, My Family and Me, p. 10 Adventure - Trail to Knowing Me, Friends and Feelings p. 27)
The meeting wasn't scheduled until a week after school started. I felt that it was important for our kids to address the anxiety and pressures of starting school, or going back to school. The Friday before school started, members who could, met at a park and made courage power bracelets - to be worn the first day of school. We used twine and beads. The kids really enjoyed it. Then they played on the playground.
Meeting Plan:
Sunday’s Camp Fire Meeting: Courage
Start with the Camp Fire Wish - hand out photo copies (for parents? younger kids won’t be able to read. All those who can read may do so, others can take their copy home and memorize it with help)
Early Bird Activity - Make paper boats - bring origami paper, example, printed instructions
Early Bird Activity - Work on tying knots - bring rope, printed knot typing instructions. Need parent to lead to show how to tie.
Notify parents that they must sign up to host a craft project. Bring sign up sheet. (Let’s wait until we calendarize the activities. We can do this online.)
Wendy lead whole group in yoga exercise - parents participate to make sure kids pay attention
Break into small groups. Discuss your courage drawing, the week at school, how things went the first day, how they are going now.
Small Group Activity: Courage Shields. Split shield into 4 quadrants. In each quadrant they draw one:
- favorite animal
- favorite food
- favorite color
- favorite activity/thing to do
Actual Meeting:
Started with paper boats. Worked well, as the kids trickled in and I was able to show the children 1 or 2 at a time how to make their boat.
Then we went to the Yoga exercise, which went brilliantly.
Then back to the tables where a club dad taught the kids a basic knot - the Miller's knot. He did a fantastic job telling a story about the history of the knot, then on to the actual knot.
After that, the kids made courage shields, which a parent helped turn into actual shields, by taping strips of paper on the back of it. The kids then ran around playing with them. The end. :)
(Starflight - Trail to Knowing Me, Feelings are OK, My Family and Me, p. 10 Adventure - Trail to Knowing Me, Friends and Feelings p. 27)
Monday, August 13, 2012
August Club Meeting
ARCHERY!
We scheduled August's meeting to have archery, followed by a bon fire at Camp Cahito. It was held on Aug. 13.
It was ridiculously warm for a bon fire, I remember that much. We had hobo packs, that club members brought items to put inside them, and then cook on the fire.
The Early Bird activity was Tiger Eyes (Ojo de Dios). It was a very relaxed meeting, with no clear start to it. The kids really, really loved the meeting and got to run around and play A LOT.
(Starflight & Adventure - Trail to the Future, generic.)
We scheduled August's meeting to have archery, followed by a bon fire at Camp Cahito. It was held on Aug. 13.
It was ridiculously warm for a bon fire, I remember that much. We had hobo packs, that club members brought items to put inside them, and then cook on the fire.
The Early Bird activity was Tiger Eyes (Ojo de Dios). It was a very relaxed meeting, with no clear start to it. The kids really, really loved the meeting and got to run around and play A LOT.
(Starflight & Adventure - Trail to the Future, generic.)
Monday, July 2, 2012
July Club Meeting
The details are sketchy - I'm adding as I remember them.
Was a Sunday meeting.
We worked on mosaics. We looked at a number of books from the library on the subject to see different media that can be used to achieve different effects.
The early bird project was supposed to be gluing tissue paper on to cups, making a mosaic paper cup that would be used for water during the pot luck. We had to change this on the fly...as the cups didn't make it to the meeting.
We took a little walk to select our natural found objects. Using a square piece of plywood, we glued those objects to the board, using lots and lots of glue to glue it all in place.
At the end we had an art show where each child discussed their artwork and shared their thoughts and anything else they wanted to share about the work.
(Starflight - Trail to Creativity, generic. Adventure - Trail to Creativity, TC237 Use materials such as broken china, pebbles, seedpods, colored sands or other nonfood, nonperishable materials to make a symbolgram mosaic.)
Was a Sunday meeting.
We worked on mosaics. We looked at a number of books from the library on the subject to see different media that can be used to achieve different effects.
The early bird project was supposed to be gluing tissue paper on to cups, making a mosaic paper cup that would be used for water during the pot luck. We had to change this on the fly...as the cups didn't make it to the meeting.
We took a little walk to select our natural found objects. Using a square piece of plywood, we glued those objects to the board, using lots and lots of glue to glue it all in place.
At the end we had an art show where each child discussed their artwork and shared their thoughts and anything else they wanted to share about the work.
(Starflight - Trail to Creativity, generic. Adventure - Trail to Creativity, TC237 Use materials such as broken china, pebbles, seedpods, colored sands or other nonfood, nonperishable materials to make a symbolgram mosaic.)
Monday, June 4, 2012
June Club Meeting
Camp Fire ToCo Meeting #3
Email to Parents
Outline meeting details. Remind parents to bring wide mouthed glass jars for craft project. Tell them to help their children select two small items to glue to the talking stick that signifies them. Piece of glitter, small piece of yarn, a button, feathers, string, beads, etc. Give info about potluck food - hobo packs, hot dogs, on-a-stick food, etc.
Requests:
- A parent to volunteer to break away from small group to start fire a little early (if needed).
- Help with parents input on Nature Pledge, to be the ToCo Club Pledge.
- Parent volunteers to help run small groups.
- A parent pick & organize a craft for the next meeting. Mention availability of craft resource notebook.
- A parent to prep Camp Fire Logo puzzle activity for this month. (Cut paper into puzzle pieces).
- A parent to cut out red & blue felt vests for the paper person project
Early Bird Activity
Jar Lantern - glue around inside of jar. Place on window screen, upside down to let drip dry.
Start, hand out sheets with Camp Fire Wish on it. Read it out loud to group. Then teach it to the group, to say together. To start each meeting.
Talking Sticks - Explain how it works. Camp Fire clubs are fun, but order must be kept to stay safe and respectful of all members. One of the most important things is to respect others when someone is talking. The club will make a Talking Stick that will be used to make sure only one person talks at a time. The only person who can speak is the one holding the talking item. It is important that EVERYONE helps make it in some way, It’s very important that adults use this item as an example when they would like to speak to show youth the rules don’t apply just to “kids” and that everyone will respect the item.
Each child brings in 2 small items from home. They can share the items, why they decided to bring them and then glue it on the talking stick. One talking stick is for the big group, the second is for their individual groups.
Have children name the talking stick. Pick 3 names they can choose from to make this go faster. They can elect to change the name of the Talking Stick in a future meeting.
- Big Bertha
- Mighty Maxx
- Talking Talulah
Club Kid Jobs - Have kids brainstorm jobs that need to be done for each meeting. Some ideas:
Greeter: Greet each member as they arrive to the meeting.
Attendance: Reading role or marking who is there at each meeting
Early Bird Setup: Arrives 20 mins. before meeting
Leader Assistant: Helps leader however they need, passing out supplies, holding things, etc.
Opening: Leading club through opening, can be broken down by individual parts of opening, i.e. one person for “Nature Pledge”, one person to lead song, etc.
Closing: Leading club through closing, can be broken down by individual part of closing.
Clean Up Meal Areas
Check bathrooms: Make sure trash is inside trash can, there isn’t water on the floor, etc.
Line Leader: Leading club when they go outside the main meeting area
Helping Pack Up & Put Away
Separate into small groups - go find the right color table cloths.
SMALL GROUPS
Start with Game.
PING, PONG, ZAP
All players stand in a circle with one person in the middle. The person in the middle closes their
eyes and spins in a circle while everyone else counts to three. On “three”, the spinner opens
their eyes and says one of the commands below. If the person pointed to responds correctly, the
spinner continues, if not, that person becomes the new spinner.
Ping: Must say the person’s name on their right
Pong: Must say the person’s name on the left
Zap: Must say their own name
PEEK-A-WHO
Supplies: 1 blanket or dark sheet
Form two teams. Have two non-participants (adults or leaders) hold up the blanket by two
corners so it is hanging like a wall between the two teams. One volunteer from each team
crouches facing the blanket. When the blanket is dropped, each player tries to say the name of
the crouched person on the other team first. Whoever loses joins the opposing team. Play until
all players are on one side on the blanket.
Small Group Talking Stick
Same as with large group. Kids talk about item they brought, glue it on. “Did you pick this item for a different reason that the other one?”
Camp Fire Logo. Pass out Camp Fire logo puzzle and have the club work together or in small groups to complete it. Discuss the symbolism of the Camp Fire USA logo. The flames symbolize fire as the center of the hearth (home) and community. It is open on all sides to represent Camp Fire USA‟s commitment to inclusiveness. Discuss what inclusiveness means. The colors are red, white and blue, the same colors on the United States flag. These colors are symbols of Camp Fire members‟ patriotism. The Camp Fire uniform is also red, white and blue.
Discuss how each child will get a uniform that they are encouraged to wear at each Camp Fire club meeting. The vest is red for Little Stars/Starflight and blue for Adventure (remember red, white and blue for Camp Fire colors?). Have each club member pick a paper doll and color it to look like them. Use yarn or other string for the hair. Vests can be made out of felt and decorated or cut from the paper pattern. Make sure the vest is made in the proper color! Once completed, display all of these in your meeting location (you may choose to laminate them before displaying them). It’s very important to do this as a group and not to collect these as the leader and post them yourself. Tell youth that they should remember to wear their Camp Fire vest at all meetings. If they wear it at most of the meetings, they can get the “Camp Fire Pride” emblem at the end of the year. (As a leader, make sure you follow up on this and order emblems!)
Finish wire portion of lanterns, give children bags with sand and their candle, so they can finish their lanterns at home once the glue dries.
Gather together as a big group again. Sing “Make New Friends” song twice, followed by hand squeeze all the way around the circle. July’s meeting agenda will be exploring the 5 trails. July’s meeting will be held on July 15, due to leader vacation schedules.
Pot Luck!
Meet for pot luck. Start fire ½ hr. before ending small groups.
(Starflight & Adventure - Trail to Family and Community, generic.)
Sunday, May 6, 2012
May Club Meeting
Email that was sent out:
Dear Campfire Clubbers,
The May meeting of the ToCo (Totally Cool) Campfire Club is tomorrow morning! Here's what we have planned:
At 10:30am we'll begin by putting on the name tags we made last month and starting our Early Bird Activity. We will then separate into small groups - Little Stars (pre-schoolers), Starflight (K-2nd grade) and Adventure (3rd-5th grades) -
and do some ice breakers, then launch into the main activity. (Details below.)
We'll need a minimum of 2-3 parents per group to be actively engaged in leading the activity, ensuring that the activities flow smoothly, and returning any unused materials to Alex.
While the children are engaged, we will sneak around and distribute some paperwork and collect dues.
At noonish, we'll adjourn for our potluck lunch, to be held near the snack shack. The last 5 minutes of the club meeting will be spent cleaning up - all kids and adults will clean up until the area is at its former glory (no trace left behind!). This includes the small group areas. Then the kids will run around for a bit and get all dirty.
Since we're just getting started as a club, there will be forms to fill out and dues to pay. There will be the first quarterly installment of club dues due tomorrow. These funds will cover program books for each child, supplies and craft activities. It is $20 for one child and $15 for each additional sibling age 3+.
Tomorrow, you'll be receiving the Family Registration Form and a Parent/Guardian Expectation Agreement. There is a $60 annual family membership fee, payable by check or cash to Campfire SDI, our local council. The only other upcoming expense would be for Campfire uniforms; we are unable to estimate costs for these right now, since we'd like to save $ by having some families sew the vests (any volunteers?).
For tomorrow, please bring:
-your child(ren) at 10:30am
-club dues, in cash ($20 first kid, $15 each additional age 3 and up)
-a yummy potluck dish with serving utensils
-nondisposable utensils, plates and cups for your family (Unfortunately, we don't have enough of a stash built up yet to supply a place setting for everyone.)
-We'll have mint-cucumber water to quench your thirst
Volunteers needed:
-We need a treasurer - someone who can collect dues, make reimbursements for supplies and keep an online spreadsheet detailing our financial activities
-Parents to lead tomorrow’s activities within the subgroups
-One or two sewers who would like to make vests for our group
One more thing: We have to do lots of behind-the-scenes setup, so please let us know if you can’t make it.
Thanks and see you tomorrow.
Alex & Christina
Fearless Founders
ToCo Campfire Club
P.S. Here are the activity details:
The Early Bird Activity:“My Own Trail,” where the kids will draw a meandering trail on a piece of paper. They will draw pictures of four things - two that they enjoy doing now and two they would like to do in the future.
Ice Breaker #1: “Get to know you” game: A parent will start the game, take the ball, toss it to one child. The child will say their name, then toss it to the next child. The next child will say the first child’s name, then their name, etc. At the end, the child who went first, will go again, saying everyone’s name in the group.
Ice Breaker #2: “More about you” game: A parent will follow the questions listed, asking the children different things about themselves. (“stand up if you have a pet.” and then, “those standing, one at a time tell us what it is and it’s name and then hop up and down on one foot three times before sitting down.”)
The Main Event: “Nature Bracelet” - Mama Marie Meek has graciously stepped up and planned out an exploring activity. Parents will help the children find the items on the list located at each small group table. (Starflight - Trail to the Environment, Outdoor Fun, Exploring My World p. 88. Adventure - Trail to the Environment, generic)
Dear Campfire Clubbers,
The May meeting of the ToCo (Totally Cool) Campfire Club is tomorrow morning! Here's what we have planned:
At 10:30am we'll begin by putting on the name tags we made last month and starting our Early Bird Activity. We will then separate into small groups - Little Stars (pre-schoolers), Starflight (K-2nd grade) and Adventure (3rd-5th grades) -
and do some ice breakers, then launch into the main activity. (Details below.)
We'll need a minimum of 2-3 parents per group to be actively engaged in leading the activity, ensuring that the activities flow smoothly, and returning any unused materials to Alex.
While the children are engaged, we will sneak around and distribute some paperwork and collect dues.
At noonish, we'll adjourn for our potluck lunch, to be held near the snack shack. The last 5 minutes of the club meeting will be spent cleaning up - all kids and adults will clean up until the area is at its former glory (no trace left behind!). This includes the small group areas. Then the kids will run around for a bit and get all dirty.
Since we're just getting started as a club, there will be forms to fill out and dues to pay. There will be the first quarterly installment of club dues due tomorrow. These funds will cover program books for each child, supplies and craft activities. It is $20 for one child and $15 for each additional sibling age 3+.
Tomorrow, you'll be receiving the Family Registration Form and a Parent/Guardian Expectation Agreement. There is a $60 annual family membership fee, payable by check or cash to Campfire SDI, our local council. The only other upcoming expense would be for Campfire uniforms; we are unable to estimate costs for these right now, since we'd like to save $ by having some families sew the vests (any volunteers?).
For tomorrow, please bring:
-your child(ren) at 10:30am
-club dues, in cash ($20 first kid, $15 each additional age 3 and up)
-a yummy potluck dish with serving utensils
-nondisposable utensils, plates and cups for your family (Unfortunately, we don't have enough of a stash built up yet to supply a place setting for everyone.)
-We'll have mint-cucumber water to quench your thirst
Volunteers needed:
-We need a treasurer - someone who can collect dues, make reimbursements for supplies and keep an online spreadsheet detailing our financial activities
-Parents to lead tomorrow’s activities within the subgroups
-One or two sewers who would like to make vests for our group
One more thing: We have to do lots of behind-the-scenes setup, so please let us know if you can’t make it.
Thanks and see you tomorrow.
Alex & Christina
Fearless Founders
ToCo Campfire Club
P.S. Here are the activity details:
The Early Bird Activity:“My Own Trail,” where the kids will draw a meandering trail on a piece of paper. They will draw pictures of four things - two that they enjoy doing now and two they would like to do in the future.
Ice Breaker #1: “Get to know you” game: A parent will start the game, take the ball, toss it to one child. The child will say their name, then toss it to the next child. The next child will say the first child’s name, then their name, etc. At the end, the child who went first, will go again, saying everyone’s name in the group.
Ice Breaker #2: “More about you” game: A parent will follow the questions listed, asking the children different things about themselves. (“stand up if you have a pet.” and then, “those standing, one at a time tell us what it is and it’s name and then hop up and down on one foot three times before sitting down.”)
The Main Event: “Nature Bracelet” - Mama Marie Meek has graciously stepped up and planned out an exploring activity. Parents will help the children find the items on the list located at each small group table. (Starflight - Trail to the Environment, Outdoor Fun, Exploring My World p. 88. Adventure - Trail to the Environment, generic)
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