Camp Fire Kids—A Story to Tell
Posted: January 15th, 2007
Tears and laughter united as Erin Gruwell told her students’ stories of courage and determination to more than 400 Camp Fire supporters. Gruwell took a group of seemingly “unteachable” teens in Long Beach and transformed them into critical thinkers, aspiring college students, and citizens for change. Building upon the stories of Anne Frank and Zlata Filipovic, Gruwell encouraged her students to pick up their journals and tell their stories…the resulting diary was made into both a book and a major motion picture starring Hilary Swank as Gruwell.
The Camp Fire Guild brought Gruwell to not only our supporters, but to our kids as well. Looking at the bleachers at South High, Gruwell could have imagined she was dreaming. Before her sat 790 kids, ranging from tiny PreKindergarteners to ready to graduate 12th Graders, each proudly wearing their Camp Fire t-shirt and ready to share their story with her. Throughout the night, with Gruwell’s encouragement they learned that their stories were not uncommon, though they were definitely not the typical American experience. Camp Fire kids learned that they were not alone in witnessing violence or watching members of their families use drugs. Gruwell challenged them to write their stories, which are just as important as the ones that are depicted in the book and the film…in journals provided by the Guild. Energized by Gruwell’s story, Camp Fire kids ended the night sharing a hot dog dinner served by the Guild with her, eager to begin telling their own stories of courage and triumph with their brand new journals.
