Camp Fire USA

1100 Walnut Street, Suite 1900
Kansas City, MO 64106-2197
phone: 816.285.2006
website: www.campfireusa.org

Camp Fire USA Heartland Programs mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. Everything done at camp goes back to promoting the mission. Programs are specifically designed to reduce sex-role, racial and cultural stereotypes, and to foster positive intercultural relationships.

Camp Shawnee gives children a traditional camp experience. Children are taught outdoor skills to compliment the knowledge they gain about the natural world. Also included are traditional camp activities: swimming lessons and recreational swimming, archery, crafts, fine arts, low ropes challenge course, drama, hiking, cooperative games, and of course, campfires. Camp Shawnee provides ample opportunity for “camper choice” which allows the camper to choose from a variety of activities. This allows campers to take ownership of their camp experience.

Camp also serves many children and youth from the urban core of Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. Particular attention is given to immersing all children and these in particular, in a thoughtful and deliberate outdoor encounter. For many children, this is the only exposure they have to healthy, outdoor experiences.

Staff members are trained in child development, risk management, CPR/First Aid, and promoting youth leadership. In addition, there is a nurse and/or doctor in attendance or on call during each camp session. Camp Shawnee also has a Counselor in Training program to promote leadership and job skills for young people 15 to 17 years old.

We will seek accreditation by the American Camp Association this summer. Camp Shawnee was most recently accredited in August 2008, which re-accredited Camp Shawnee for three years. Due to the sale of the property it was not able to obtain accreditation in 2010. However we anticipate being renewed for accreditation with this summer’s program. Camp Fire USA Heartland Programs has been reviewed and funded by United Way.


Program Outcomes: How are participants changed by this program and how do you measure that change? Research indicates that quality summer camps (especially residential camps) help campers grow in positive identity, social skills, physical and thinking skills, positive values. If these are not included in your program outcomes, please indicate what outcomes you measure AND summarize the results of your most recent outcomes analysis. Use as much space as you need.

Camp Shawnee’s programs and activities reflect the organization’s watch word: WoHeLo (work, health, love). Camp Shawnee stresses teamwork, respect, personal growth, and environmental awareness, all of which are included in the above listed outcomes. As campers build friendships with other children and the adult staff, they grow in their respect and understanding of others (caring), increase their confidence by learning new skills (confident), and benefit from an ability to lead by example (leaders).

Camp Fire USA has created an evaluation framework for its programming that annually measures real-life outcomes. Camp Fire USA is unique among youth development organizations in its regular use of measurable outcomes which keep the organization focused on the mission while continually seeking to improve the quality of its programs.