Camp Fire USA: Omaha, Nebraska

Our Programs

A Day in the Life of a Camp Fire Kid

Consider Henry: He’s eight-years-old, Hispanic and lives in a run-down rental house with his three siblings and his mom who makes $15,000 a year as a hospital aide. Before Camp Fire started a program at his school, Henry would usually hang around the playground after school until the security guard shooed him off. Today, he has a place he can count on…a club he belongs to…a purpose to strive for…

By the time the last bell rings, Henry’s stomach is grumbling. In the gym where Camp Fire meets, he gets his snack – a yogurt-cereal bar, an orange and chocolate milk. There are days, usually at the end of the month, when this is the last food he’ll get all evening.

Joe, the Camp Fire coordinator who has known Henry for a year, asks him about next Tuesday’s math test. Joe is working on his master’s degree in social work and has extensive experience working with at-risk kids. All Henry knows is that Joe is like a big brother to him. Together, they crack the books, working on long division – Henry’s least favorite topic besides dental hygiene.

With homework tackled, all the kids break up into small groups for their “self-reliance” activity. Today, they get to role-play different fights and figure out ways to solve them peacefully. It’s called “conflict resolution,” and Henry likes it a whole lot better than using his fists.

The kids then head outside where they play dodge ball. Good thing Camp Fire had brought the new coats, hats and mittens for all the kids earlier in the winter. Already, it’s 5:30, and Henry’s mom has come to pick him and his sisters up. “See you tomorrow!” Henry hollers to his Camp Fire friends and heads for home.

Henry’s story is not dramatic, but this is the point of Camp Fire – to provide the consistency, security and nurturing that every child needs and deserves in order to learn – both in and beyond the classroom.

Camp Fire USA’s programs are curriculum and outcome-based. In the metropolitan Omaha area, we offer:

For more information on Camp Fire USA and our programs, please contact us at 402-397-5809 or at www.campfireomaha.org.