It was a typical afternoon with my three boys (yes, I have all boys) in the kitchen talking about something when my 14-year-old said, “Man, this scar just keeps growing. It is huge.”

The overthinker I am continued to wrestle with this. My little boy at the age of four was permanently and irrevocably changed by this one cut from a clamp that held together the above-ground swimming pool filter. It did not fade away. It grew. It lengthened. Something that seemed so insignificant at the time became a permanent part of who he is and forever will be. I should note that this scar is one of his badges of childhood and he is quite proud of it.

Isn’t that how it goes? One encounter that seems insignificant in the moment, permanently alters a life.  I would wager many of us in that moment – especially as a child – aren’t even aware of HOW or WHAT impact was made – but there it is, nonetheless. Sometimes it fades, other times it becomes a permanent part of a child’s “story.”

Each time a child is registered for a Camp Fire program I think about what aspect of our programming or which encounter will become a part of this child’s “story.” Will their moment fade or be a lasting, impactful change that grows with them?

Thankfully, there is insight to that end.  Camp Fire uses surveys, research and outcomes data to gauge the impact of programming. Each year for the past four years in pre and post test data, our teens report their knowledge and ability to:

  • Be Empathetic
  • Include Others
  • Find Their Purpose
  • Resolve Conflict
  • Be Confident

improves after being in a Camp Fire program.

The best part of this? Many of these teens are not new to Camp Fire. So, each year the bar is raised and each year they report continued growth in these areas. This growth is achieved through purposeful, but small daily or weekly moments.

What an impactful way to add to their unfading story!

It isn’t just teens, though. All youth at Camp Fire are adding environmental awareness, goal setting, empathy, bravery and growth mindset to their stories. Each through unique and different programming, but year-over-year these youth report Camp Fire is why they have these skills and awareness. As Camp Fire continues to grow the number of children and families in these programs, the greater the opportunity exists to positively, authentically and unfadingly contribute to stories everywhere.

If you want Camp Fire to share you or your child’s story, let us know.

Christy Jones is the vice president of marketing and communications at Camp Fire First Texas. She brings extensive marketing communications experience to Camp Fire, having previously served as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Martin Fletcher, Communications/PR Manager for Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, as well as Associate Communications Manager for the American Heart Association’s national center headquartered in Dallas. Christy holds a Bachelor of Science in communication from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. She lives in Fort Worth with her husband and three sons who have been active participants in Camp Fire programs including the Camp Fire Child Development Center, Camp Fire Day Camps and Camp Fire Camp El Tesoro.