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FIRESIDENEWSCamp Fire

GULF WIND, INC. July-August-September 2016 PENSACOLA, FL

A New School Year! VPK & After-School Programs

Camp Fire is the place where kids can have fun while learning lots of cool things. The children are so excited to be back with their friends and planning new activities for the new school year. At Camp Fire, we don’t just babysit, we help your child to THRIVE! Camp Fire staff are Spark Champions, who believe in Positive Youth Development which recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youth’s strengths and interests and provides opportunities for youth to grow.

Camp Fire offers a safe, supportive, positive environment for children to play and learn. The staff welcomes the children with new games, stories and learning goals. Youth especially enjoy exploring the outdoors through Camp Fire and Project WILD program activities. Here children learn to work and play together! Camp Fire encourages families to get involved with their children through fun family meals and group events. As always, each Center has special activities that parents are invited to attend with their children. Join the excitement as Camp Fire kids and their families march in the Veterans’ Day and Christmas Parades. Sign up with your child’s Director or Leader. There is always something fun and interesting happening at Camp Fire! For more information about ages, activities, schedules and pricing, please contact each center. Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center 850-256-0953 Camp Fire PSC Child Development Center 850-484-1524 Camp Fire @ Longleaf Elementary School 850-476-1760

Are you a Camp Fire Alumni? We are looking for you!! What is your connection with Camp Fire? Whether you spent your summer at camp, discovered Camp Fire after-school programs, attended the child care or earned emblems in a club, you will always be a part of the Camp Fire family. Being a part of the Camp Fire family, means we share one Camp Fire experience. We invite Camp Fire Alumni to reconnect today and share your story. Sign up in the Wo-He-Lo Room on the Camp Fire website at http://campfirekids.com/.

Light the fire within!

CampFireKidsinCenturycommemorate9/11anniversary.

CampFirekids@PSCstudyNature.

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CALENDAR & EVENTS

Upcoming Dates and Reminders OCTOBER 10/1-31 Bully Prevention Month 10/12 Columbus Day 10/14 United Way Day of Caring 10/17 Boss’s Day 10/20 Lights on Afterschool 10/23-31 Red Ribbon Week 10/31 Halloween NOVEMBER 11/6 Daylight Saving Time Ends 11/2 Camp Fire Candy Sale Starts 11/8 Election Day – Get out & Vote! 11/11 Veteran’s Day & Parade –

Camp Fire Closed 11/24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday –

Camp Fire Closed 11/30 Camp Fire Candy Sale Ends DECEMBER 12/7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 12/10 Christmas Parade - Pensacola 12/ 21 Winter Begins 12/25-26 Christmas Holiday-Camp Fire Closed JANUARY 2016 1/1-2 New Year’s Day – Camp Fire Closed

COMING EVENTS

Camp Fire Salute to Veterans! Veterans Day Parade

Friday, November 11, 2015 9 am, downtown Pensacola

Camp Fire families help us honor our veterans by participating in the Veteran’s Day parade. Camp Fire Kids will march in a group and the younger children may ride in strollers or wagons. To sign up, please contact your child’s Director or Leader no later than October 7, 2016. We will be wearing our Camp Fire light blue t-shirt and carrying small US flags. Should you have any questions, please contact Camp Fire Headquarters at 850-476-1760. NOTE: No throws allowed.

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Camp Fire InterAction Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. is the recipient of a New York Life Foundation Grant for local programs that will benefit middle school youth in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Camp Fire InterAction teaches middle school youth about effective communication, a key skill to help them succeed now and in the future. InterACTION helps youth positively communicate with peers and adults in their life to more effectively solve problems and avoid conflict. Camp Fire Gulf Wind is committed to our promise to help youth lift their voices and shape the world, to light the fire within, and to help them develop to their fullest potential! To learn more about the InterACTION program, contact the Camp Fire Office at 850-476-1760 or email info@cfgulfwind.org.

Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc.

Candy Sale Peanuttles and

chocolate bars available! November 2 – November 30, 2016

For more information contact Camp Fire office at 850-476-1760.

Join the fun!!!

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In the News for 2016 . . . WILD & WISE Nature Camp This summer, Camp Fire kids learned new skills with archery drills and practices. The Camp Fire staff helped the campers learn archery safety and basic archery steps. After the campers applied their new skills, many children were hitting the target regularly. Program Quality Improvement In August, Camp Fire completed the Summer Program Quality Assessment with very high marks. The self-assessment reviews the Camp Fire summer program and assess four areas: safe environment, supportive environment, interaction and engagement with youth. The Camp Fire staff work very hard to bring an outstanding nature program to our campers each year; one that meets Camp Fire‘s highest standards. Day of Caring This year, Camp Fire is excited to participate in the United Way Day of Caring on October 10th. On the agenda for projects to be completed is the installation of more sand on the playground in Century and more kitchen storage for PSC Child Development Center. Additionally, we have some needs at the Camp Fire Headquarters. Camp Fire extends a heartfelt thanks to United Way of Escambia County for their support. Camp Fire – Christmas Parade Light your holiday spirit! Join Camp Fire for a festive time as Camp Fire families march in the Pensacola Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 10, 2016. This year, Camp Fire will have a float available for children to ride the parade route. Strollers and small wagons will be allowed for younger children. Children are asked to wear the Camp Fire red t-shirts. The Parade begins at 5:15 pm with everyone starting to line up at 4 pm. You will not want to miss the excitement! To participate, please sign-up with your child’s Director or Leader no later than November 28, 2016. More information will be provided to those families taking part in the parade. NOTE: More photos may be viewed on Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Camp-Fire-Gulf-Wind-Inc-1516028308662287/

Camp Fire, rising to tomorrow’s challenge!

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LEARNING CENTERS & AFTER-SCHOOL NEWS

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BeulahkidsatNationalNavalAviationMuseum.

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Century Youth Learning Center The Camp Fire After-school Kids are so excited to be back with their friends. The VPK children spent August getting to know each other and practicing writing their names. During September, the children celebrated Grandparent’s Day by sharing refreshments with their grandparents. Also, the Early Learning Coalition nurses came to check the children’s height, weight, vision and hearing. This fall, Camp Fire children will celebrating autumn and learning about nature. They will participate in Halloween activities at the Century Rehabilitation Center. Also, Camp Fire staff will share the Thriving focus with the kids and help them to find their SPARK.

Beulah WILD & Wise Nature Camp

New this summer! Camp Fire held a summer learning program at Beulah Elementary School. The WILD & WISE Nature Camp helped children, ages 5-12 years, explore nature with aid from games, hands-on activities and special guests. The Camp Fire Kids learned archery skills and practiced hitting the target. Also, they visited a music store and the National Naval Aviation Museum.

PSC Child Development Center With school starting again, the Camp Fire kids found their SPARK and focused on learning about each other. The VPK class enjoyed learning new songs, the alphabet and cooperative play.

The after-school students are looking forward to Science Fridays with fun experiments and hands-on activities. Additionally, Camp Fire kids will be working to earn Camp Fire emblems. Staff continue to offer homework help for students needing assistance.

In October, the children will trick or treat on PSC Campus, visiting the many different offices for treats. Come November, the Camp Fire Kids march in the Veterans’ Day Parade and then, learn about Thanksgiving and celebrate with a luncheon for their families.

Longleaf After-School Program The Camp Fire staff engage the students in finding their Spark and learning more about Camp Fire. Staff continues to offer students homework help and teach them new skills. This fall, the students are working on the Camp Fire emblems and planning to earn the Camp Fire Wise Old Willie emblem which teaches children and nature and the environment. In October and November, the Camp Fire Kids plan to learn more about autumn through fun hands-on activities and spending more time outdoors. Also, the students will create handmade thank you cards for the veterans, police and firefighters. Also, the students look forward to the upcoming Veteran’s Day and Christmas parades with great anticipation.

AtLongleaf,CampFirekidstaketimetoreadabook.

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CAMP FIRE CORE VALUES Children and youth are our most precious resources. We believe in an approach to youth development that builds assets and empowers individuals. We believe that the best youth development occurs in small groups where children and youth are actively involved in creating their own learning. We are committed to co-education, providing opportunity for boys, girls, and families together. We provide caring, trained, mentors to work with children and youth. We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of age, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, or other aspects of diversity. We respect and celebrate Nature. We foster leadership, engaging children and youth to give service and make decisions in a democratic society. We provide safe, fun, and nurturing environments for children and youth.

We enrich parents and other adult lives by expanding their skills and encouraging them to share their talents and to build relationships with children and youth.

We respond to community needs with our programs and expertise

We advocate on behalf of children, youth and families.

Developing Youth to Their Full Potential Camp Fire’s passion and purpose is to develop youth to their full potential. We are able to accomplish this by providing programs to youth through our community. Camp Fire youth engage in a fun, environmental summer program which introduces the campers to Florida wildlife and conservation. Yes, I want to help develop young people to their full potential and support the environmental summer camp program. If you would like to help with the development of youth, please complete the form below and return it to: Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. 1814 Creighton Road Pensacola, Florida 32504-7212

Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift for: ____ $25 _____ $50 _____ $75 ____ Other $_________ This gift is in honor of:_____________________________ Please send an acknowledgement to: Name_________________________ Phone:________________ Company Name_______________________________________ Address_____________________________________________ City__________________________ State:_____ Zip:_________ Email_______________________________________________ Are you a Camp Fire Alumni? _____ YES _____ NO

New/Increased gift Please list my gift as anonymous Please restrict my gift for: ______________________________(purpose/program) I would like more information about Camp Fire. I would like information about volunteer opportunities with Camp Fire.

Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc. thanks you for your support.

Published and produced by: CAMP FIRE GULF WIND, INC.

1814 Creighton Road Pensacola, FL 32534-7212

850-476-1760 Fax 850-476-6614

info@cfgulfwind.org www.campfirekids.com

Have some special news you would like to share with Camp Fire? Contact Camp Fire Headquarters

at info@cfgulfwind.org.

CampFireMotto:GiveService