Media Center
Members of the press who wish to make inquiries about the Camp Fire USA Midlands Council may contact Penny Parker by e-mail at pparker@campfireomaha.org or by phone at (402) 397-5809.
Learning Community Grant Recipient
Camp Fire is a proud recipient of two grants from the Learning Community to expand summer programs at our Gomez-Heritage and Liberty Elementary sites which will allow Camp Fire to serve additional kids at these locations throughout the summer. Though summer programs include exciting educational field trips, Camp Fire kids spend their days tackling academics through reading clubs, math enrichment and science projects to improve scores math and reading scores while receiving healthy meals and snacks to keep them nourished.
Message from Our Executive Director
Camp Fire continues to serve the children of the Greater Omaha community who need us most. And we serve these children when they are most vulnerable: out-of-school time. This is after school and on the days when school is not in session. Times when children are most at risk, home alone with little to eat and little to positively occupy their moments. This is often not because someone doesn’t care about them. It’s because this tough, tough economy has been hardest of all on the Camp Fire kids’ families – facilitating that a single, or both parents need to work when they can find work to provide as best they can.
Camp Fire is this community’s way of partnering with parents, children, schools and neighborhoods to raise confident, caring youth and future leaders – no matter what the circumstances or odds. We appreciate – more than words can express – your constant support and dedication to Camp Fire, and invite you to be a frequent visitor to see the difference your contributions make every day in the lives of our kids.
Please take a look at what is happening at Camp Fire. And, as always, thank you for your continued support!
Warm Regards,
- Penny Parker
Camp Fire Alum Gives Back
We are pleased to welcome Lisset, a former Camp Fire kid, as a staff member in our elementary after school programs. When Camp Fire’s program at Highland Elementary began in the fall of 2001, Lisset was one of the first kids to sign up. Lisset stayed in Camp Fire through middle and high school, serving on the Teen Advisory Board to assist with developing the teen program. She has held many leadership roles in her time with Camp Fire and we are very proud to welcome her as staff.
“Camp Fire staff have constantly showed me that they had confidence in me and believed that I could do great things,” says Lisset. “I am very excited to teach the kids all of the important lessons I learned while at Camp Fire. It is very cool that I get to be a positive role model in my own community and represent Camp Fire.”
Are you a former Camp Fire kid? We want to hear what great things you have been up to since leaving our programs. Contact Michelle at mzych@campfireomaha.org or 397-5809 ext. 213.
KETV Helps Camp Fire Feed Kids
Camp Fire kids LOVE their weekend backpacks!
KETV’s Julie Cornell
recently had the opportunity to interview two of Camp Fire’s families to discuss the impact of the current economy and Camp Fire’s Weekend Food Program has had on their everyday lives. Click here to read Julie’s story and watch the interviews.Since 1998 KETV’s 7 Can Help Kids has asked viewers to fill backpacks with school supplies to help local children go back to school prepared. Now, with your help we can fill backpacks with food for Camp Fire’s Weekend Food Program.
Your donation will ensure that local children do not go hungry. Find out how you can help by contacting Michelle at mzych@campfireomaha.org or 397-5809 ext. 213.
“A Good Fit”
As Camp Fire celebrates our first year in our new home at 2566 St. Mary’s Avenue, we had the opportunity to talk with Carol Bicak from the Omaha World Herald about what our presence means in the Park East Neighborhood. Read the full story.
Internet Safety is Crucial
Camp Fire encourages families in our community to learn more about social networking sites to increase internet safety. For more information about how Camp Fire’s Prevention Education program help kids become caring, confident youth and future leaders, contact Rachel Olive at 402-397-5809.
Food Program Receives Community Support
Thanks to a recent KETV Channel 7 story about our Food Program, Camp Fire has received an outpouring of community support through financial and food donations. This support is crucial to ensuring that Camp Fire can continue to feed kids seven days a week, every week of the year. If you are interested in learning how simple it is to sponsor and feed a child in our community, contact Michelle Zych at 397-5809 or mzych@campfireomaha.org.
Camp Fire Kids Reach for Their Dreams
Nearly 50 kids from Camp Fire USA will embark on an experience designed to teach the benefits of vision, teamwork and individual effort, while instilling a lasting appreciation for the arts thanks to Mutual of Omaha and local artist Kristin Pluhacek. This summer Omaha will host world-class swimming events and to commemorate this special time, Camp Fire kids will work with Pluhacek each week to create art masterpieces that express their understanding of “reaching for your dreams.”
Support Camp Fire USA in this initiative and watch for the exhibit at the Qwest Center during the world-class swimming events during the month of June. For more information, visit www.mutualofomaha.com/swim.
Ivonne Valentin – Volunteer of the Year
For the past year, Ivonne Valentin has spent time each week with the kids at Camp Fire’s After School program at Jackson Elementary. In this time, she has not only given of herself, but encouraged Creighton University’s Soccer Team, which she coaches, to do so as well. It is because of her time and dedication that the kids at Jackson have had the opportunity to attend Creighton soccer games, receive jerseys, and have positive role models in their lives while at Camp Fire.
Thank you, Ivonne, for all that you continue to give to Camp Fire and the kids we serve.
Physicians Mutual – Community Partner of the Year
When it comes to Community Partners, Camp Fire hit the jackpot with Physicians Mutual. Not only has the company provided strong and long standing support to our Board of Directors, but they continue to be just a phone call away when a need – big or small – arises. Their commitment to the children Camp Fire serves is evident when you look at their involvement during 2007.
