Mission & Vision

Camp Fire invests in North Texas communities by providing out-of-school time and outdoor learning programs for children and youth while also offering workforce development programs for early childhood educators.

We envision a community in which every child has equitable access to the learning opportunities they need to succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Our Values

Inclusion

All are welcome at Camp Fire.

Data-Informed Practice

We collect and apply data to continually improve existing – and inspire new – programming.

Growth Mindset

We believe the learning process is equally as important as the learning outcome and that talents can be improved over time.

Collaboration

We go higher together by partnering within the communities we serve.

Hands-On Learning

Learning from experience is a hallmark of all our programs.

Whole Child Approach

We recognize that social-emotional, physical, creative, and academic skills are all intertwined and equally important in learning.

In Camp Fire, children and youth find a safe, fun and inclusive place – a place where they form lasting relationships, develop a sense of belonging and make positive contributions to the lives of their families and their community. Camp Fire youth have life-enhancing experiences and develop assets that are essential to their futures.

Our programs stand out for three key reasons:

  1. We are uniquely focused on the two periods of greatest brain growth and development: early childhood and early adolescence.
  2. We leverage the impact of the outdoor environment on the brain to educate and connect children to each other and the world around them.
  3. We intentionally maintain a continuous improvement loop through the Camp Fire Program Quality Assessment to maximize community impact.

Camp Fire First Texas was founded in 1914. For more than 100 years, the organization has shaped youth and families. From the early days of Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls, the organization has grown into one of the largest councils in the United States with programs for boys and girls that include everything from camping to school readiness.

  • Camp Fire serves Tarrant, Parker, Wise, Hood, Johnson and Denton counties.
  • Camp Fire has about 100 year-round employees and 60 seasonal employees. Each year, an average of 550 volunteers provide thousands of service hours to Camp Fire youth and families.

  • Camp Fire First Texas is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

  • View our Financials including IRS Form 990 and Annual Reports

Out of School / Youth Development                    Camp / Outdoor Programs
Early Education Workforce Development        Camp Fire Program Location

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Based on 2019 Participant data

Our Promise

Young people want to shape the world.

Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are. In Camp Fire, it begins now.

Light the fire within

happy kids

OUR PROGRAMS

Camp Fire programming allows participants to explore their sparks, learn to make healthy choices, develop social skills, build new talents and have fun. Our goal is to provide youth with opportunities to cultivate their inner passions, skills and attributes (or “Sparks”) to stimulate Thriving – a forward, purposeful motion toward achieving one’s full potential.

Group of People Planting a Tree

OUR HISTORY

Camp Fire First Texas was founded in 1914. For 100 years, the organization has shaped youth and families. From the early days of Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls, the organization has grown into one of the largest councils in the United States with programs for boys and girls that include everything from camping to school readiness. Read more about our history.

smiling children

OUR FUTURE

While our programs and services meet the needs of today’s world, they retain the values of self-sufficiency, service, outdoor appreciation, leadership and character that have been the foundations of Camp Fire from the beginning. And we’re ready for the next 100 years.

El Tesoro Foundation

The El Tesoro Foundation was established to create a permanent endowment fund to support all of the programs and services of Camp Fire First Texas, not just El Tesoro. The foundation is a perfect vehicle for support through an estate plan. For more information about how you can include Camp Fire in your estate plan, please contact us.

girl crossing a bridge