Camp Fire USA: Omaha, Nebraska

More than 250 supporters joined Camp Fire USA for our Open House this November.  Greeted by our Board of Directors, each guest was offered a guided tour by members of our Teen Advisory Board and dedicated Camp Fire staff. 

The garden level burst with activity as kids cooked dinner and savory snacks in our Kids’ Kitchen and provided the entertainment in our Multipurpose Room with their choreographed renditions of popular kids songs and Science Project presentations.  In the Florence Lakin Community Room, Camp Fire kids personified the need for a safe place for them to “just be kids,” playing board games and constructing crafts using materials donated by the Camp Fire Guild throughout the year in anticipation of our onsite program.

The Open House provided a first hand look into the lives of the youth impacted by Camp Fire’s innovative community based out-of-school programs.

Camp Fire USA - Midlands Council was named Nonprofit of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Omaha for our commitment to youth in the Omaha and Council Bluffs communities.  Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  Camp Fire Board Chairman-Elect, Kathy Broniecki accepted the award and Executive Director, Penny Parker provided an impromptu in-depth look into the past, present and future of Camp Fire USA.  Youth from Camp Fire’s After School Program at Jackson Elementary designed the centerpieces for the Tribute Dinner, showcasing their talents as budding artists.

Though Camp Fire’s programs have evolved beyond beads and badges, we consider it an honor to have the rich tradition of “Camp Fire Girls” with which to base our foundation.  To bring our programs full circle, Camp Fire welcomed former members into our new building at 2566 St. Mary’s Avenue for the Inaugural Reception of the Beyond Beads Society.  This exclusive society brings “Camp Fire Girls” from years past into the Camp Fire of today.  Chaired by Lynne Boyer and Sunny Lundgren, both Camp Fire alum, the reception served as a springboard to provide a history wall at our new home and a reason to bring old memories to the surface.  Guests shared their favorite stories about their time in Camp Fire and the lasting friendships they made while at Camp Harriet Harding.

If you are a former “Camp Fire Girl” and would like to join the Beyond Beads Society, contact Penny Parker at 397-5809 or pparker@campfireomaha.org and keep the history of Camp Fire burning bright.