April 2010 Calendar
April 1 - National Art Competition entries due
April 2 - RSVP deadline for Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
April 9 - Voluteer Appreciation Dinner
April 17 - Annual Meeting
April 18 - Camp DaKaNi Open House
May 2010 Calendar
May 2 - Grand Council Fire
May 8 - Counselor Training
May 22 - Counselor Aide Training
May 29 - Make up Counselor Training
May 29 - Chuck Wagon Festival
Executive Director's Corner
Spring has arrived AT LAST! In the Camp Fire world, that means our thoughts are turning toward summer and camp. The Camp DaKaNi brochure is going to press as I write so families will be able to make summer plans right away. Those of you whose children have attended before know what a wonderful experience a session at day camp can be for every child. Campers come together from all over the metro area, and everybody is on equal footing when it comes to decorating their own “home in the woods”, eating “bismarks” cooked over an open fire or cheering for their group’s turtle as it crosses the finish line in the weekly frog and turtle races. For a number of our campers, fishing in the pond is a new experience as well…and many moms are introduced to a new shade of red…Camp DaKaNi dirt!
A week at Camp DaKaNi is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child. The learning and FUN go on forever. My daughters (grown and married) still talk about their summers as campers. In his book entitled Camp, Michael Eisner, former CEO of the Disney companies, attributes all of the knowledge, insight, and skills he used in business to his experiences in summers at camp. That’s a pretty good recommendation.
Our outlying areas also have camping programs, and families looking for a resident camp experience are invited to attend Camp Walihili…the Green Country resident camp.
So watch for your family’s camp brochure, visit our website for ongoing information, and INVITE A FRIEND to come to Camp DaKaNi.
Jan Robinson
Interim Executive Director
Take Note...New Office Phone Numbers
The Heart of Oklahoma Council office recently had a new phone system installed. The main office number has remained the same (478-5646), but each staff member now has their own direct line. If you call the main number, you will be greeted by an automated system which will list each person's extension. If you know who you need to speak to, you can bypass the automated system by calling that person's direct line. Below is a list of each staff member's new phone number.
Jan Robinson
(405) 254-2069
Linda Little
(405) 254-2070
Susan Williams
(405) 254-2071
Michaelanne Morgan
(405) 254-2065
London Bridge
(405) 254-2063
Cynthia Wilson
(405) 254-2066
Terry Stilwell
(405) 254-2064
Tracy Bowlware
(405) 254-2068
Elizabeth Crawford
(405) 254-2067
Camp Fire USA 100 Hour Fire Thank You
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the 100 Hour Fire during Birthday Week. All of your contributions were noticed and appreciated!
A very special thank you to Jannie Matlock and Joella White for all their hard work in organizing the event. It was a wonderful and very meaningful way to celebrate Camp Fire’s 100th Birthday!!!
Read the 100 Hour Fire story published in The Oklahoman by clicking HERE.
Notice of Annual Meeting
Saturday, April 17, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Yordi Training Center
Camp Fire USA Office
An official notice will be mailed to all Camp Fire USA members. Eligible voters will be notified by regular mail along with all pertinent information, including the 2010 Slate of Nominees.
Board Nominations Being Accepted
If you or someone you know would be interested in being nominated to the Heart of Oklahoma Council Board of Directors, please CLICK HERE
to print a copy of the Board Nomination Form. The Board is looking for expertise in finance, fundraising, property management, community and government relations in particular. Complete the form and submit it to the Board Governance Committee c/o the Council office.
It's Time to Appreciate Our Groovy Volunteers
We want to honor the hard work of our volunteers, so put on your sandals, bell bottom jeans and tie-dye tank tops and join us for a groovy good time!
Here's the skinny on the event.....
Who: All of our hardworking, dedicated volunteers
When: Friday, April 9th, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Camp Fire USA Office - Yordi Training Center
Theme: Retro 60's & 70's-Style (Dress in the theme...'Best Dressed' will win a prize!)
We will be serving a far out buffet of foods that were popular in the 60s & 70s, including a salad bar and drinks. Throughout the evening we will play games from the time period, and the annual volunteer recognition awards will be presented. It's gonna be a gas!!!
Be sure the RSVP to London at the Camp Fire office at (405) 478-5646 by April 2nd!
No Youth....Adults only please!*
*Babysitting will be available for all potty trained children ages 3 to 11 years old. Reservations must be made by April 2nd. Cost is $5 per child.
CATCH YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE!!!
Grand Council Fire 2010
It's once again time for Grand Council Fire, and this year's theme is "Celebrating 100 Years of Camp Fire". We hope to see all of our members (as well as their families and friends) at this year's ceremony.
CLICK HERE for more details on Grand Council Fire, including rehearsal time, club parade information and gown & tunic information.
Attention Graduating Seniors and 13 Year Camp Fire USA Members
If you are a graduating senior OR a 13-year member of Camp Fire USA and you plan to attend Grand Council Fire, please contact London at the office at (405) 478-5646 by Monday,
April 26th.
Staff Scholarship
Each year the Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council staff awards a scholarship to a graduating senior. CLICK HERE to download an application and the scholarship criteria. The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, April 15th
by 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Williams at (405) 254-2071 or email susanw@campfireusa-ok.org.
President's Volunteer Service Award
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the opportunity for youth and adults to be recognized for their participation in community service. Honoring volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award sets a standard for service to others. (Read More.....)
Summer Job Opportunities with Camp Fire USA
Do you like kids, and would you like to make extra money working with them at a summer job? If the answer is 'YES' to both of these questions, have we got a position for YOU!
(Read More....)
Annual Chuck Wagon Festival
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Chuck Wagon Festival is scheduled for May 29th - 30th (Memorial Day Weekend). Camp Fire youth in 6th grade and above are invited to work a shift in one of the Coca Cola booths, however this year, the youth will not receive any money in their scholarship funds for working. For more information about this change, or to sign up for a shift, please contact Cynthia Wilson at the Camp Fire office at (405) 254-2066 or email cynthia@campfireusa-ok.org.
Camp Fire USA Volunteer Opportunities
Each month in the Smoke Signal, Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council will post volunteer opportunities that are currently available. Make sure to check each new issue of the Smoke Signal to find ways that YOU can help the Council!
- Are you a retired Camp Fire leader and miss all the fun of working with a club of kids? CLICK HERE for an opportunity for you to reconnect.
- The Camp Fire USA store needs a fresh coat of paint on the drawers and shelving, as well as new matching drawer pulls installed. Anyone interested in tackling this project should contact London at london@campfireusa-ok.org.
- Camp DaKaNi Day Camp is needing volunteers for the 2010 camp sessions. There are week-long opportunities available working as an office assistant or in the camp store, as well as 1-2 day opportunities helping with arts & crafts, fishing or serving hot dogs on Fridays. For more information on volunteering at Camp DaKaNi this summer, please email Tracy Bowlware at tracyfx4@yahoo.com.
Your Help is Needed
The Council is currently looking for pictures taken throughout the past year to possibly include in the Grand Council Fire slide show. If you have any pictures of your club doing projects, going on field trips, etc., please copy them to a disk and bring them to Michaelanne at the office. Pictures must be turned in no later than April 9th by 4 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Michaelanne at (405) 254-2065 or email michaelanne@campfireusa-ok.org.
Camp DaKaNi Day Camp Dates Announced
CLICK HERE to check out this year's camp dates and prices.
April Program Tips - Earth Day Project
April is the time to start thinking about getting back into the out-of-doors, and Earth Day on April 22nd is a great way to start. CLICK HERE
to go to the Council’s Earth Day Project which any age level can work on. This project can be completed while on a campout or during an outdoor day or field trip with your club. The Earth Day project can also be piggy-backed with other projects in your program level curriculum under the Trail to the Environment. Another plus is, youth and adults can earn service hours for completing the service project portion.
Have fun by celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd, and don’t forget - everyday can be Earth Day if we remember to conserve and protect the environment in which we live.
Teens in Action News
Our next TIA work day at the Positive Tomorrows Library will be April 24th from 1-4 p.m. Please eat lunch before you come. You must RSVP no later than Wednesday, April 21st at 5:00 p.m. by calling London at the office or you can email Cynthia at cynthia@campfireusa-ok.org. Everyone has been doing a fantastic job on this project, and I hope to see you all there!
CLICK HERE to check out the photos of our most recent work day at the Positive Tomorrows library that were published in The Oklahoman.
Training Opportunity for All Adult Leaders and Volunteers
CLICK HERE for details on a wonderful FREE training (including lunch) for anyone interested. The topic of the training is how to talk to your teens about sex, along with other issues and is being presented by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The training is taking place at the request of Central Oklahoma Turning Point and the United Way.
If interested, complete the registration form attached to the flyer and send it to the email address attached, or you can register by calling the number listed.
Camp Fire USA Store News
The new Centennial Emblem has arrived!
CLICK HERE to download the Camp Fire USA National Centennial Project requirements.
CLICK HERE to see a computer mock-up of the Centennial emblem.
Camp Fire USA is Pleased to Announce its Commemorative Brick Fundraiser
The Board of Directors of the Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council is please to announce the Commemorative Brick Fundraiser to coincide with Camp Fire USA's 100th anniversary. (Read More......)
Magazine Sale
Instead of having a dedicated time for the annual magazine drive, we have decided to leave the magazine sale open year round. The Heart of Oklahoma Council will continue to receive 40% of the total price of every magazine subscription and music selection ordered online.
CLICK HERE to go to the QSP website, enter our organization number 425067754, and click SHOP NOW to insure Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council benefits from any purchases made.
Camp Fire USA Day at Johnnie's
The first Sunday of each month is Camp Fire USA day at all Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler locations. When placing your order, let them know that you would like 10% of the cost of your meal to go to Camp Fire USA, and they will send the Council a check each month.
Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler Locations:
Oklahoma City:
2652 W. Britton Road
6629 N.W. Expressway
421 S.W. 74th Street
Edmond:
33 E. 33rd Street
620 W. Danforth
|
