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

Another school year is rapidly drawing to a close, but before the school bell rings for the last time this year, I hope you and your family will take a few minutes to reflect on the special times you’ve enjoyed through Camp Fire. In the hustle and bustle of club meetings, candy sale, and council fires, it’s easy to lose sight of what our youth are learning through Camp Fire. Here’s a short list: time management, goal setting, leadership, teamwork, social skills, appreciation for the environment, manners, self-discipline, confidence, and community service….and, oh, yes…..FUN!

We hope to see many of our kids at Camp DaKaNi (or their local community camps) this summer. There’s no better way to fill a summer day than cooking out, fishing, building a “home-in-the-woods” and making new friends. Sessions are filling rapidly, so send your registrations in right away.

Fall will be here before we know it, and we’ll begin the wonderful madness all over again. Until then, HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

WoHeLo,

Jan Robinson
Interim Executive Director
 

A Message from our NEW Board President

I am honored to have been selected as Council President for 2010-2011. These are exciting times! As we embrace this special 100th year of Camp Fire, our Council has weathered some difficult challenges, and we have boundless potential. I look forward to working together with everyone who supports Camp Fire's mission – youth, parents, volunteers, counselors, staff, board members, donors and alumni – as we accomplish great things. As we approach summer, I want to share some of the items at the top of our list.

Camp Fire Cares: In the coming year, special attention will be focused on club programs. We hope to increase membership and involvement in all areas by providing stronger support to volunteer club leaders and their clubs. Start thinking about who you will recruit into your club, or as a new club leader. Why keep the fun all to yourself?

Camp Fire Camps: Day Camp programs are strong - sessions at DaKaNi are filling up fast. The prospects for rehabilitating and re-opening Camp Cimarron are good. If volunteers come out and donations come in as projected from our successful Open House, resident summer camping at Cimarron could be returning in the near future.

Camp Fire Contributes: Our partnering programs with Positive Tomorrows and other outreach efforts will continue bringing the Camp Fire spark to kids in need.

Camp Fire Connects: One of our initiatives will be focused on building stronger relationships between members, volunteers, staff and the Council Board. To be sure that you get complete information, check and update your contact information with the main office – make sure you are subscribed to receive both the Smoke Signal and our periodic updates through "Constant Contact".

Thank You,

Leif Swedlow

Take Note...New Office Phone Numbers

The Heart of Oklahoma Council office recently had a new phone system installed. The main office number will remain 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

London Bridge         
(405) 254-2063

Cynthia Wilson          
(405) 254-2066

Terry Stilwell              
(405) 254-2064

Tracy Bowlware & 
Jessica Wells         
(405) 254-2068

Elizabeth Crawford    
(405) 254-2067

The Camp DaKaNi Brochure is Here

CLICK HERE to view and print your 2010 Camp DaKaNi brochure. Sessions are filling up quickly, so register soon to save your spot!

Camp DaKaNi News

Training Dates to Remember:

• Counselor Training - Saturday, May 8th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  (Reservations are required by May 5th.)  Call (405) 254-2066.
   
• Counselor Aide Training - Saturday, May 22nd, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This training is required if you are going into 7th, 8th or 9th grades and want to be a Counselor Aide this summer.  (Reservations are required by May 18th.)  Call (405) 254-2066.
   
• Make Up Training - If you are not able to attend the above Counselor or Counselor Aide Trainings, you will have one more chance to be trained on Saturday, May 29th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  (Reservations are required by May 26th.)  Call (405) 254-2066.

Camp DaKaNi Wish List

Below are some items that Camp DaKaNi needs for the upcoming summer camp sessions. Anyone interested in making a donation should contact Tracy Bowlware at (405) 254-2066. 

• school glue
• clean baby food jars
• pipe cleaners
• fun foam sheets
• yarn cotton balls
• acrylic paint
• masking tape
• craft/popsicle sticks
• kid scissors
   

Congratulations to our 2010 WoHeLo Recipients

CLICK HERE to view and learn about our 2010 WoHeLo Recipients.

2010 Candy Sale Awards

CLICK HERE to view our Candy Sale award winners!

Candy Sale 2010 Fast Fair Share Winners

Congratulations to our 2010 Candy Sale Fast Fair Share Winners! 

CLICK HERE to see a list of our Fast Fair Share sellers.

Nut Sale Top Sellers

CLICK HERE for the 2010 Nut Sale Top Sellers and T-Shirt Winners!

2010 National Art Competition Winners

CLICK HERE to view this year's National Art Competition winners. Congratulations to all of you!

President's Volunteer Service Award Recipients

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. CLICK HERE for a list of this years award recipients. Congratulations to all of you!

Congratulations to Our Adult Volunteer Award Recipients

CLICK HERE for a list of this year's recipients!

2010 Lifetime Member Award

A very big congratulations to Gwen Wilson for receiving this year's Lifetime Member Award!

Oklahoma State Fair

The deadline for entering items in the Oklahoma State Fair is August 15th. Before your club breaks for the summer, get your club display, progression in outdoors or Torch Bearer display boards ready for the Fair. Guidelines and requirements for completing your display or entry are in the Council’s Leader Manual. To request a copy of the competition guide and entry form, call the State Fair office at 948-6700, or watch for it online at oklahomastatefair.com after July 1. Individuals who are interested in entering itmes in the State Fair competition need to use the same competition guide and entry information as clubs.

The Camp Fire entries and displays in 2009 were awesome! Your challenge this year is to match or better last year’s presentations. This is our Centennial Year, so let’s celebrate! If you have any questions as to how, when or what to enter, feel free to call Helen Mehler at 282-7968.

Camp Fire USA Centennial Celebration

Please join us for the Camp Fire USA Centennial Celebration. We will have hot dogs, fellowship and program.

DATE:  July 31, 2010

TIME:  5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Camp DaKaNi Day Camp

Please be watching your mail for a personal invitation.

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.

HELP NEEDED TO LOCATE TORCHES!!!

We are missing all of our torches that are used at Grand Council Fire. Ms. Yvonne was gracious enough to make new ones for this year but we would really like to get the others back. They were stored in a clear storage tub at the office.

If someone ‘borrowed’ them for something, please return them. No questions asked.

Thank You,

Susan Williams

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. 
• 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.  

Calling All Clubs and Individual Members

Want to be a part of the Heart of Oklahoma Council’s history? If so, create a scrapbook page to be placed in the 100 hour fire scrapbook. You can show why you like participating in Camp Fire USA programs, show a favorite Camp Fire memory or create a historic display. Create your page on 8 ½” by 11” cardstock (either front and back or just front) and bring it to the Camp Fire office. By creating your page, you complete one or more requirements for the national Camp Fire USA Centennial Youth Project. 
 

Teens in Action News

The Teens in Action will celebrate the completion of the Positive Tomorrows library project and closing out the year by going to Perfect Swing on May 15th from 1 - 4 p.m. The cost is $11.00 per person and includes unlimited miniature golf, go carts, bumper boats, 2 slices of pizza and a soda. Everyone will need to bring their money with them, and for those of you who have money from working at the Chuck Wagon Festival last year, that money can be used to pay for this event. Those teens interested in attending must RSVP by May 7th at noon! I am very proud of everyone who worked on this project, and I hope to see all of you at Perfect Swing!

CLICK HERE to visit the Perfect Swing website.

May Program Tips - Club Ceremonials

As we approach the end of the school year, many of you will be thinking about your end-of-the-year ceremonials to present your club members with emblems and beads they have either earned throughout the year or since your last ceremonial. These types of ceremonies are both great and needed, but there are also other reasons you might want to have a ceremonial. In my tips article this month I will give you some ideas and suggestions on these other types of ceremonies. (Read More....)

Camp Fire USA Commemorative Brick Fundraiser

The Board of Directors of the Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council is sponsoring the Commemorative Brick Fundraiser to coincide with Camp Fire USA's 100th anniversary. There's still room on the plaza to add a brick with your name or to honor someone else.  (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.

Smoke Signal Takes Summer Break

The Smoke Signal is published ten times per year, taking a break during the months of June and July. 

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe summer!