October 2009 Calendar

October 3 -   Czech Festival in Yukon, OK
October 3 -   Teens in Action, Rock Climbing
October 4 -   Recruitment Event at Camp DaKaNi
October 6 -   Basic Leader Training
October 9 -   United Way Day of Caring
October 10 - Be a Reader Camp
October 11 - Teens in Action Meeting
October 12 - All Metro Area Leader Meeting
October 15 - Metro Area Nut Sale Begins
October 16 - Ada Area Nut Sale Begins
October 24 - Haunted Forest, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
October 27 - Haunted Forest, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
October 29 - Haunted Forest, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
October 30 - Club Area Rebate Deadline

November 2009 Calendar

November 1 -   Perry & Duncan Area Nut Sales Begin
November 5 -   Gown & Tunic Workshop, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
November 8 -   Teens in Action Reflection, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
November 8 -   WoHeLo Book Review, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
November 15 - Metro & Ada Area Nut Sale Ends
November 15 - Ardmore Area Nut Sale Begins
November 15 - Warm Hands, Warm Hearts, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
November 20 - WoHeLo Award Application Deadline
November 21 thru 29 - Office Closed for Thanksgiving
November 26 - Shawnee Area Nut Sale Begins
November 30 - Perry & Duncan Area Nut Sales End

1st Annual Camp Fire USA Nut Sale

For all of the details on the Camp Fire USA Nut Sale, including a link to the permission form and the order form, please go to http://tinyurl.com/yc9tkyo.

For more information, please call Susan Williams at (405) 478-5646.

Haunted Forest Hayride 2009

Haunted Forest 2009 T-Shirts Now Available

This year the Heart of Oklahoma Council will offer a Haunted Forest Hayride t-shirt.  Pre-ordering your shirt is recommended, as there will be a VERY limited quantity for sale at the event.  Those who pre-order a shirt will receive $2 off the Haunted Forest admission, as well as two tickets good for two FREE carnival games! 

To order your Haunted Forest t-shirt, please call London at (405) 478-5646 no later than October 12th at 5 p.m.  We accept cash, check or credit cards, and payment is required at the time the order is placed.  T-shirts will be available for pick-up on October 24th at the Haunted Forest, or from the office that following week.

Haunted Forest Help Needed!!!

Plans are under way for this year's Haunted Forest which is scheduled for October 24, 27 & 29. Volunteers are needed to build scenes, spread mulch, run lights, prepare costumes and much more. We will also need volunteers to help run the event when the time comes.

Haunted Forest set-up days will be on October 15th & 16th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers. In order to have enough lunch for everyone, please RSVP to London at (405) 478-5646 by October 13th.

If you have another evening or weekend available to help with set-up, please contact Michaelanne Stilwell at (405) 478-5646 or email michaelanne@campfireusa-ok.org.

Magazine Sale

Instead of having an annual magazine drive, the Council has 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.

"Moving Toward 100 Years of Service to Youth" Membership Campaign

ATTENTION CLUB LEADERS & ADULT VOLUNTEERS
For nearly a century, Camp Fire USA has helped children grow into respectful, tolerant and responsible citizens, while making friends and having fun. You can share the fun of Camp Fire and help the Heart of Oklahoma Council grow while earning a reward for yourself or your club. All you have to do is start a new club in your community, mentor them throughout the year, and you will receive a $25 Camp Fire USA store credit to be used for books, awards or merchandise for your club.

REWARD REQUIREMENTS
The new club must meet the following requirements:

• At least 2 adult volunteers in leadership roles (leader & assistant leader).
• 6 youth members (5 for Little Star), at least 4 of them new to Camp Fire.
• Registrations must be turned in as an "official club" by October 31st.
• Commit to a minimum of a 1-year membership in Camp Fire USA.
   

"Unlock the Mystery" at Bee a Reader Camp

• When: Saturday, October 10th
• Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Camp DaKaNi
• Who: Pre-K through Horizon and their club leaders and/or parents

Cost is $5 per participant and includes the "Bee A Reader" emblem. Age appropriate activities are planned so that everyone attending will be able to earn their emblem.

PAID RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED at the Camp Fire USA office by October 5th. No money will be accepted on the day of the event. When making your reservation, please have the youth member's grade and whether they will need the 1st or 2nd year (and up) "Bee" emblem.

HELP IS NEEDED TO LEAD ACTIVITIES AT BEE A READER CAMP, Saturday October 10th at Camp DaKaNi. If you are interested in helping please contact Cheryl Mengwasser at 340-8310.

Basic Leader Training 2009

It is time for our annual training for NEW Leaders and those Experienced Leaders who missed the August training.

• When:   Tuesday, October 6th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Where:  Camp Fire USA - Yordi Training Center, 3309 E. Hefner Road (Approximately 1 mile West of I-35 on Hefner Road)

Please bring your grade level program book, the Camp Fire USA Leader Guide, your Leaders' Manual and paper to take notes.

A light supper will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with training starting promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Please call London at (405) 478-5646 to make your reservation no later than Thursday, October 1st at 5 p.m. We will need to know which program level and grade level training you would like to attend and if you will be eating with us. We will also need to know if you need babysitting*.

The Camp Fire USA store will be open beginning at 5:00 p.m. for you to purchase books and uniforms. To save time, orders can be phoned in ahead of time, and picked up at the training.

*Babysitting will be provided for those people who make reservations in advance. Cost is $5 per child. Bring something for them to eat and play with. The babysitting service is only available for children ages 3 through 11 years old.

All Metro Leader/Volunteer Meeting

All metro area leaders and volunteers are invited to attend the First Quarterly Leader/Volunteer Meeting of the year.

• WHEN: Monday, October 12th
• TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
• WHERE: Camp Fire USA Office/Training Center

This is a great time for you to network with leaders and volunteers from the other areas in the metro.

We will discuss the Nut Sale which begins on October 15th in the metro. We will have order forms and sample kits to pass out. If anyone in your club asked for “Direct Sale Items”, they will be available for pick-up that night.

*Babysitting for ages 3 to 11 years old will be available IF you call the office BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9th to make a reservation. They must be potty trained, and it is recommended that you bring something for them to do. Cost is $5.00 per child. 
 

Celebration Station Fundraiser!

Please support Camp Fire USA by taking advantage of this terrific fundraiser!

If you have any questions, contact Susan Williams at (405) 478-5646.

Camp Fire USA Store News

With our recent collaboration with a top promotional design company, the possibilities for Camp Fire merchandise are endless.  For more information about creating one-of-a-kind Camp Fire apparel or gear for your club, or to suggest items you'd like to see in the store, please contact London at (405) 478-5646.

Now, even the smallest members of your families can show their Camp Fire pride with our brand new baby line!  Our Camp Fire onesies and bibs come in either white, pink or baby blue.

The store would also like to announce the availability of nearly 50 NEW Centennial items that can be ordered from the Camp Fire National Headquarters.  Contact London today for further details, and remember....the Centennial items can only be ordered through the Centennial year!

REMINDERS:

• Did you take swim lessons this summer?  If so, don't forget to pick up your swimming progression emblem at the store.
• If you attended the Camp Fire USA 99th Birthday Bash, or if you celebrated the birthday on your own, you are encouraged to come by the store to purchase your 99th Birthday Party emblem for only $1.50 plus tax. 

Scout Day at Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center presents "Scout Day" Friday October 16, 2009. This special program will run from 10:00 AM through 2:00 PM.

The Oklahoma History Center hosts Scout Days to honor all youth organizations and their members such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, 4-H, and more. Members in uniform will be admitted to the History Center for just $1.00 per youth and $3.00 per adult.

The youth groups are invited to enjoy this special educational program during fall break. Get for a hands-on adventure into Oklahoma’s past and a day filled with exploration. Investigate the museum with the help of gallery guides, follow along with our scavenger hunt, take part in hands-on demonstrations, and enjoy a variety of living history programs.

Students will find activities throughout the museums galleries as living history characters and museum staff bring the past to life through hands-on demonstrations. Discover life on the cattle drive, explore pioneer life and the tools of the day, play turn of the century games at the museum, and more! There will be activities for students of all ages. Special living history programs will take place each hour beginning at 10:00 AM.

Scout Day is designed for social organizations and groups to come, experience, and do! No registration is required and you can join the activities at any time. Best of all admission is just $1.00 for those who wear the uniform!

For more information on "Scout Day" pleasecontact Jason Harris at (405) 522-0785 or by email at jharris@okhistory.org .

Camp Fire USA "Race for the Cure" Team

Camp Fire USA has formed a 5K race team for the 2009 Komen Oklahoma City Race for the Cure® which is scheduled for October 10th.

One in eight women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more we help raise awareness, the more Central Oklahoma Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure can give back to fund vital breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community, and support the national search for a cure.

Please join us in the fight by joining our race team or pledging your support of our participation in the Race for the Cure®. You may do either of these things by going to http://tinyurl.com/yekj82x. If you have any questions, please contact London at (405)478-5646.

Camp Fire USA "AIDS Walk OKC" Team

Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma has formed a team to participate in the 2009 Aids Walk of Oklahoma City to help raise awareness and funds for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

When: 
Sunday, October 11, 2009
12:30 p.m. - Registration & Entertainment
2:00 p.m. - Walk begins
 

Where:
Myriad Botanical Gardens
301 West Reno Avenue
Downtown Oklahoma City
No Pets Allowed (Oklahoma City Ordinance)

To print out a registration form visit www.aidswalkokc.org. Under team name put "Camp Fire USA". It is free to participate in the walk, but we do encourage everyone to get donations. For additional questions contact London at (405)478-5646.

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

Jingle Bell Jamboree

Mark your calendars now for a fun filled holiday party at Camp DaKaNi!

• What: Jingle Bell Jam
• Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
• Time: 2:00 to 4:00 pm
• Cost: $3.00 per person (Activity Fee)
• Place: Camp DaKaNi & Nature Center
   

We will be collecting items for the Red Andrews Christmas dinner.

Needed items are:

• new unwrapped toys
• bags of wrapped candy
• books
• hats, scarves and gloves
• school supplies (crayons, markers, pencils, paper etc)
• new underwear and socks 

High Adventure Club

Do you like to learn new camping skills, plan exciting outdoor activities, pitch a tent, cook outdoors, paddle a canoe, climb a rock wall, etc.? If so, then High Adventure Club is for YOU! Outings will resume in September, and will be held at various locations around the state. Participants must be registered Camp Fire USA members and must be in 6th-12th grade. For more information on High Adventure Club, please contact Terry Stilwell at dakani.ranger@campfireusa-ok.org , or visit the High Adventure Club Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/highadventureclub.

Archery Club

Camp Fire USA members in 3rd through 12th grades are welcome to join Archery Club. In Archery Club, members will experience the joy and learn the skills involved in archery, and will help raise funds for the Camp Fire USA Archery Club by participating in various fundraisers throughout the year. Archery Club meets the first and third Sundays of each month, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Camp DaKaNi archery range located at 3601 E. Hefner Road (Gate 3).  Please dress appropriately for the outdoors.  Closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, shirts that cover the torso and shoulders, any long sleeves should be fitted and pants should fit properly.  Please also bring a water bottle, bug repellant, and sun block.

For more information on getting involved in Archery Club, please contact Jenifer Waggoner at (405) 752-4315.

Program Tips - SPARK PROJECT - Fire Prevention Awareness

Since we are heading into the month of October, I wanted to remind everyone about a very important local project that all club levels can take part in. October is Fire Prevention Month and the perfect opportunity to work on the Spark Project. Below you will find the requirements of the project. Some have been revised from the Leaders’ Guide.

INSTRUCTIONS

• By completing 3 of the 5 steps listed, members will be eligible to purchase the Spark emblem.
• Work on this project during October which is “Fire Prevention Month”.
• This project also combines well with other community service projects.

OUTCOMES

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th graders will:

• Gain new knowledge and appreciation of firefighters as community servants.
• Have a sense of value as a person who contributes to a community and believes in the power of individual action.
• Demonstrate positive behavior in public.
• Be able to demonstrate and apply new knowledge of fire safety techniques.
• Practice civic responsibility.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Honor Firefighters
      
a. Contact the local fire station in your area to schedule a tour. The Oklahoma City Fire Stations typically hold open houses each Sunday in October. Check your local paper or call for details.
b. Have youth members make appreciation cards and decorate posters that say “Camp Fire USA Appreciates Firefighters”, “Spark An Awareness of Fire Prevention with Camp Fire USA”, etc.
c. Make and take refreshments.

2. Distribute Fire Prevention Door Hangers
    
a. Prepare your club by going over the fire prevention handouts and home escape plan, etc. These may come from several different sources, such as fire marshals, insurance companies, American Red Cross, etc.
c. Pick a day or afternoon to distribute door hangers in various neighborhoods in your community. Take rubber bands to fasten door hangers to doors, fences, mailboxes, etc.
b. Make sure your club goes over safety precautions that need to be adhered to when being out in the community:

• Always have an adult close by.
• Always go with a buddy, never go alone.
• Never go inside a house or apartment.
• Never enter a fenced yard. Put your door hanger on the gate.
• Practice traffic safety rules.

3. Collect and Donate 9-volt Smoke Detector Batteries

Clubs may purchase batteries to donate to fire stations or come up with ways to encourage the public to make donations of batteries to your Camp Fire USA club. 

• Put a note in your church newsletter and have a certain time to collect batteries.
• Set up a table outside your local “Dollar” Store (if they carry 9-volt batteries) and decorate with posters explaining what Camp Fire USA is doing.

4. Promote Camp Fire USA
        
a. Whether you are visiting a fire station, distributing door hangers, or collecting batteries, you should ALWAYS wear your uniform or a Camp Fire USA uniform, T-shirt or sweatshirt.
b. Contact the local newspaper that services your community. Let them know about the project and activities you are doing. Ask them if they can come and take a picture of your fire station visit, door-hanger distribution, 
and/or battery collection.
c. Contact the local “Dollar” store about setting up a time to collect batteries in front of the store. Decorate table in red, white and blue and have a box for collection. Make handouts or posters to let the public know what
you are doing.

5. Visit The Firefighter’s Museum
        
a. The Firefighter’s Museum is located at 2716 NE 50th in Oklahoma City, near the Zoo and Oklahoma Science Museum (formerly the Omniplex). This is a fun and educational trip for all ages.
b. Call (405) 424-3440 for current hours and admission costs.
 

Teens in Action Update

Teens In Action is off to a great start!

Here's a list of important dates to remember:

• October 3rd - Rock climbing at Rocktown, and lunch at Falcone's., 11:30 - 3:00 p.m.
• October 11th - Teens in Action meeting, 2 - 4 p.m. in the Yordi Training Center. Please RSVP to Cynthia or London by October 5th if you are able to come to this meeting. At this meeting we will begin getting ready for the Spook House! The Spook House will be October 24th, 7:30-9:30 p.m., October 27th, 7:00-9:00 p.m., and October 29th, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Please let Cynthia know what days you can work, and we will also need help with set-up and tear-down.
• November 8th - Teens in Action Meeting, 2 - 4 p.m. in the Yordi Training Center.  Please RSVP to Cynthia or London by November 4th if you are able to attend this meeting. 
• December 13th - Teens in Action Meeting, 4 - 6 p.m. in the Yordi Training Center. Please RSVP to Cynthia or London by December 7th if you are able to attend this meeting.
  
  Your Help is Needed!!!
  
  We have started the Teens In Action project of reorganizing Positive Tomorrow’s library and clothing area. Thanks to those who helped on September 13th in getting the project started! Everyone did a wonderful job, and I was very proud of what we were able to accomplish. This project is BIG, so we need everyone to come out and help! Please join us at our once-a-month work day to help with this important project, and don't forget, your friends are welcome to come as well! Be watching for more information on when the next work day is. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Wilson at (405) 478-5646. 
   

WoHeLo Award Application Deadline!!!

Friday, November 20th at 4:00 pm is the DEADLINE for turning in your WoHeLo Award Application. Please contact Susan at susanw@campfireusa-ok.org or
478-5646 to have an application emailed to you.

ONLY those who turn in their application will be eligible to receive the award at Grand Council Fire this year.

WoHeLo Reflections and Book Assistance

9 through12th grade teens are eligible to participate in monthly reflections concerning serious issues that affect them every day. During these reflections, youth will be completing highlights that pertain to that month's topic.

Upcoming WoHeLo Reflections and Book Assistance Dates:

• November 8, 2009, 2 - 4 p.m., Reflection and 4 - 5 p.m. Book Assistance. RSVP by November 2nd to London at (405) 478-5646.