Camp Fire USA turns 100, Camp Killoqua hosting celebration

Students from Twin City Elementary take part in Camp Fire USA as “The Flying U’s.” They are: (front l to r) Phoebe Houston, Oliver Hartwig, Eleni Zarkades, Rylee Masonholder, Lauren Niegemann, Kayla Beld, Courtney Beld, (back l to r) Ella Jeffcott, Preston Pierce, Ashlyn Williams, Camron Everett, Malena Reyes and Karli Niegemann. Not pictured: Samantha Pierce. Young boys and girls have enjoyed the “good, old-fashion camping experience” at Camp Killoqua in Stanwood since 1941.

Year-round programs focused on youth, including summer resident and day camps, outdoor and environmental education, as well as leadership programs, fall under the direction of Camp Fire USA Snohomish County.

The county’s Camp Fire USA council was founded in 1930 and “has been a leading youth-serving agency in this community for 80 years,” said Elizabeth Douglass, special events coordinator.

Last year, Camp Fire provided nearly 300,000 hours of program services for more than 8,000 children throughout Snohomish County.

Approximately 500 volunteers and a 36-member volunteer board of directors work to instill Camp Fire’s mission: “To build caring, confident youth and future leaders.”

“We have a ton of support in our community,” said Douglass.

It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t participated in or supported the program in some way, she added.

Nationally, Camp Fire USA is turning 100 years old and the local council is hosting a centennial celebration at Camp Killoqua on Sat., July 31.

The free event takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to tour the 182-acre site, participate in activities, view historical pictures, enjoy a barbecue dinner and take part in a commemorative campfire.

At 7:30 p.m., Snohomish County will be one of 42 councils across the nation lighting a central campfire.

“Speakers from every decade will share their camping memories,” said Douglass. “It is our opportunity to celebrate the promise of a legacy that has left an indelible mark on millions of alumni, many locally, and hundreds of communities throughout the country.”

While the event is inspired by Camp Fire, it remains a community-wide celebration, open to anyone interested in the program.

More than $2.5 million was raised in a capital campaign in 2009 to make improvements to the Killoqua site, including three new building.

The updates allow the camp to service an additional 4,000 youth each year.

Kena Masonholder of Stanwood has been leading groups of kids through Camp Fire for 13 years. She remembers attending camp as child, and works to create that “special feeling” for the youngsters in her current group, the Flying U’s.

“Camp Killoqua is a magical place where you can be whatever you want to be,” she said.

In addition to attending camp, the group of Twin City Elementary students works within the community throughout the year.

Every Christmas they sing to residents at Josephine care center and last spring, the kids help collect donations for the Stanwood-Camano Foodbank.

“The kids learn leadership by having the opportunity to be in charge of something,” she said. “And, it’s a lot of fun along the way.”

Clubs, like the Flying U’s, follow Camp Fire’s objectives to increase participants’ self-esteem by teaching them to make good decisions and helping them learn new skills while becoming self-reliant and responsible adults.

Douglass said there are programs for all ages, needs and income levels. Programs that focus on getting the whole family involved are also available.

She hopes generations of alumni come together at the centennial celebration to commemorate the longstanding tradition that is Camp Killoqua.

For more information, contact 425-258-5437 or visit www.campfireusasnohomish. org. Camp Fire USA and Camp Killoqua alumni are encouraged to join the alumni group through the Web site.