Camp Fire News Archive
Violet is Back!
Tara "Violet" Markley will return as Outdoor Programs Director this summer.
January 15, 2010
Hello Tanadoona friends and families!
Greetings from Violet/Tara!
First, I just wanted to update you about camp. Sam Peterson has left Camp Fire to pursue other endeavors. We wish him well and good luck with the future. With his departure, we as a team have decided it would be a great fit for me to resume the post of full-time Outdoor Programs Director at Camp Tanadoona.
Although I said good-bye to many of you this past summer, I have stayed on as a camp consultant, so I'm up to speed and ready to make this our best summer yet! This summer will be my third summer working with the amazing staff, campers and families of Camp Tanadoona.
Read More.
Highlights From Camp Fire's Annual Meeting
Camp Fire USA Minnesota Council's annual meeting was held January 25, 2010. Along with a keynote speech given by Dr. Michael Resnick of the University of Minnesota, youth from Yorkdale Townhomes spoke about what Camp Fire means to them. Camp Fire also recognized the organizations and individuals who have gone above and beyond in devoting their time and resources in 2009. CEO Marnie Wells also presented a recap of 2009 and introduced Camp Fire's three-year strategic plan, which will guide our work as we strive to grow and improve.
Read more.
Remembering Ethel Shebeck
December 1, 2009
Ethel Shebeck, a longtime member and supporter of Camp Fire USA Minnesota Council, passed away November 14, 2009 at the age of 93. Ethel was a member of Camp Fire for over 40 years and served, most recently, as the treasurer for the Circle of Friends Camp Fire alumni group.
Read More.
New Sign Welcomes Campers to Camp Tanadoona
December 3, 2009
Camp Tanadoona just got a little easier to find with a brand new sign that went up earlier this month. While the old camp sign had served us well for at least 25 years, it was made out of wood and despite the best treatment and care, it just couldn’t survive another tough Minnesota winter. The new sign was built to last from sturdy aluminum that is impervious to rain, snow and bugs.
Read More.
We've Moved!
As we celebrate Camp Fire's 100th anniversary, the Minnesota Council is getting a fresh start on the next 100 years with a new location in the heart of Uptown.
New Address: 3100 West Lake St. Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416
New Office Phone: 612-285-6255
Toll Free: 1-888-335-8778 (still the same!)
Camp Fire Goes to D.C. to Help Inform Policy
May 18, 2009
Camp Fire USA Minnesota Council’s VP of Community Programs, Ge Xiong, was part of a four-person panel that presented at the American Youth Policy Forum’s “Improving the Quality of Extended Learning Opportunities” in Washington D.C. to an audience of nearly 100 congressional staff and nonprofit leaders.
Read More
Camp Tanadoona Featured in Metro Magazine
March 4, 2010
Camp Tanadoona was one of a select group of "boredom busting camps [that] will keep children active and engaged all summer long" showcased in the most recent issue of Metro Magazine's Eden Prairie magazine.
Read the article.
And who are those happy boys in the article's main picture? They're Tanadoona campers, of course!
Valentines for Veterans
March 1, 2010
Youth from three Camp Fire clubs made valentines for veterans at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis as part of Camp Fire's national Salute to Veterans in February.
Club members at Trail's Edge talked about what it means to be a veteran before making the valentines. Club leader Emilie said, "We talked about the many different ways someone can be a 'vet' and had the youth think about what kind of sacrifice it would be to leave home and all your family and friends to go to 'work' like our veterans do."
At Hayden Heights, the conversation about veterans was very personal: two of the club members have fathers who are veterans. To say thank you and show their support, club members made extra valentines to give to their friends' fathers.
Camp Fire's Salute to Veterans is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs National Salute to Veterans Week, which always occurs the week of Valentine's Day. Camp Fire youth pay tribute to veterans with the valentine cards.
Introducing the Lorraine E. Anderson Scholarship
February 4, 2010
We are excited to announce a new camp scholarship for our Northwoods trip to Camp Bluewater. The Lorraine E. Anderson Scholarship was created in memory of the woman many in Minnesota knew as "Mrs. Camp Fire."
Lorraine had a great passion for the outdoors. She knew first hand how empowering experiences with nature can be, and as a Camp Fire volunteer, it was important to her that Camp Fire youth have the opportunity to experience the outdoors and to learn to be self-sufficient in the woods and on the lake.
The scholarship covers the full cost of the Northwoods trip for one camper each year. As a tribute to Lorraine's leadership and love of the outdoors, scholarship recipients will be chosen through a competitive process for their desire to expand their skills in these areas.
For more information and to apply, visit our website or contact Tara Markley, Outdoor Programs Director at 612-221-7014 or taram@campfireusa-mn.org.
Family Night at New Village Brings Families Together to Celebrate
December 14, 2009
Family members of New Village Camp Fire Club members came together for a night of Bingo and to celebrate a successful first season for the new club. Many younger siblings of the club members were very excited to join the club when they started school.
Read More.
New Village Stats:
- Club Leader: Ashley Burke
- Club has been meeting for: 4 months
- Club member ages: Kindergarten - 6th grade
- Club meets on: Tuesday, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Club meets for: 2 hours
- Homework help time: First half hour of club time
Workshop Addresses Preconceptions about Youth on the Streets
December 5, 2009
Trudee Able-Peterson challenged negative stereotypes of youth on the streets in a workshop titled “The Devolution Process: Home to Street and What They Learn on the Way Down” sponsored by the East Side Network Café. Able-Peterson specifically focused on four groups of street youth: gang members, teen parents, drug dealers and sex workers. These youth are almost always portrayed in a negative light, but Able-Peterson argued that, like other youth on the street, these youth have faced barriers or adversity that contributed to their situations.
Read More.
Firewood For Sale
Quality firewood for sale at Camp Tanadoona. The wood is all hardwood - largely oak and maple. Keep toasty warm this winter while supporting Camp Tanadoona!
Car trunk bundles: $25
Minivan loads: $50
Pickup truck loads: $100
All wood will need to be picked up from Camp Tanadoona in Chanhassen. To arrange a time to pick up your wood, contact Bill Donald at 952-474-8085 (camp), 612-282-5989 (cell) or billd@campfireusa-mn.org.
