[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 28 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2000-S2001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE CAMP FIRE BOYS AND GIRLS OF AMERICA

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Camp Fire Boys and Girls of America on the occasion of the 88th 
anniversary of its founding in March 1910.
  The Camp Fire Girls, now the Camp Fire Boys and Girls since being 
incorporated in 1978 to include boys' programs, was started in 1910 by 
Dr. and Mrs. Luther Halsey Gulick of Sebago, Maine. The Gulicks founded 
this nonprofit organization to encourage girls to reach beyond 
traditional limitations. Across the country, Camp Fire was integral in 
developing America's view of children as an investment in the future of 
our nation. Within two short years, the new organization of Camp Fire 
Girls, Inc. was organized in 42 states, one of which was my home state 
of Minnesota.
  Camp Fire clubs grew quickly in Minnesota, making headlines when 
girls marched off to camp at Square Lake near Stillwater. With groups 
consisting primarily of high school and university students, nearly 400 
girls were involved in Minneapolis Camp Fire. A 1912 article in the 
Ladies Home Journal inspired a group of girls from St. Paul to start 
their own chapter. Dr. F.S. Cone, pastor of the St. Anthony Park 
Methodist Church, agreed to sponsor this group of eight girls and their 
21-year-old leader.
  Currently serving approximately 670,000 participants annually, 45 
percent of whom are male, Camp Fire Boys and Girls is organized in 42 
states and the District of Columbia. In 1997, the Minnesota Lakes 
Council alone served 10,865 youth, aiming to provide them with the 
necessary tools to live their lives productively in an ever-changing 
environment.
  The Camp Fire Boys and Girls is centered on three concepts: Work, 
Health and Love (WOHELO). The organization's objective is to provide 
opportunities for youth to realize their potential as caring, 
responsible and self-directed individuals. This objective is achieved

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by providing three main categories of youth development programs: club 
programs, outdoor programs and Self Reliance programs. Through these 
efforts, the Camp Fire Boys and Girls offer a variety of courses to 
provide youth with an opportunity to build their self-esteem, develop 
leadership skills, practice cooperation and conflict resolution skills 
and provide service to their community.
  None of this would be possible were it not for the adult volunteers 
who are the foundation of the Camp Fire Boys and Girls. Currently there 
are more than 571 men and women in Minnesota who, in the spirit of Dr. 
and Mrs. Gulick, invest their time and talents to ensure that our youth 
are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Adult volunteers touch the 
lives of young people by serving as excellent role models and teachers, 
as well as caring friends.
  Mr. President, for 88 years the Camp Fire Boys and Girls of America 
has been teaching our youth the skills they need to become effective 
leaders and responsible citizens. This is truly grounds for 
celebration.

                          ____________________