September 15, 2014 at 4:27 p.m.
Camp Fire USA to celebrate 100th anniversary
Camp Fire USA to celebrate 100th anniversary
By Kayla Thomason-
The 100th anniversary event is free and open to the public.
Campfire food will be served - brats, hot dogs and s'mores - with the option of cooking them over a fire. Desserts and sides will round out the meal.
Scott Kirby will perform for the crowd from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be children's games and activities including a scavenger hunt and arts and crafts. If the weather is mild, there may be canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
"[Camp Fire] is truly an amazing non-profit organization that has been giving back to the community that has been supporting it for 100 years," said Camp Birchrock co-director Erin Wallis. "I don't think Birchrock would still be going if it wasn't for the cohesive community that it's in, so this is our opportunity to say thank you. We're all out here to support our kids and help them create a better future, so what better way then to do that together."
"I think it is a huge accomplishment that camp has been around for 100 years and it is just incredible to see that the cabins still look as original as they did back in 1914," added camp co-director Johanna Sommers. "If you look at the pictures from back then it still has that feel to it and the rustic appeal that should never be forgotten from its original days."
Given the large number of people who have been involved with the camp over the years, Sommers hopes attendance will surpass 100 people.
"There have been a lot of people asking about the celebration so I'm hoping everyone makes it out," said Wallis. "I know Birchrock has positively affected the lives of hundreds of people."
Camp Fire Oneida Council's original charter is dated Jan. 20, 1914.
Over the last 100 years, the organization has provided children with immeasurable summer fun along with various programs and activities.
In 1947, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America started Camp Birchrock, operating it until 1961 when the Camp Fire organization took full control.
"Girl Scouts National said all camps had to be owned by Girl Scouts National and there would be no local control, and at that time most of the people associated with camp were Camp Fire and Girl Scouts," said Steve Sauer, president of the board of directors of Camp Fire USA Oneida Council Inc. "The Camp Fire organization took ownership of the camp in order to keep the control local."
Since 1961 the camp has been operated locally by the Camp Fire Oneida Council board of directors.
"The biggest change that you see is that it is now coeducational and there are different offerings, there are day camps, there are camps where you actually stay there for a week and the number of activities," board member Russ Jamison said.
Camp Birchrock transitioned from a girl's only camp to coed in 1978.
"Since then we have welcomed anyone and kind of pushed the goal of getting youth back to nature," Sauer said.
Camp facilities were quite different in the beginning. Children slept in tents rather than cabins and there were no flushing toilets, electricity or showers.
Despite the changing structures, the camp's core values have not changed, Sauer said.
The organization's core belief is that "children need to be outside."
"It's a wonderful world, let's learn how to respect nature," Sauer explained.
According to Sommers, enrollment tripled this summer. Thirty to 35 kids participated in day camp per week.
"As I have worked [at Camp Birchrock] the past three years, this is a huge improvement from the seven to 10 kids that attended our day camp program back in 2012 when I first started," Sommers said. "It has been such an incredible achievement for camp to have improved (so much) since I first started, and to have watched camper numbers grow throughout the years."
This summer, campers heard presentations from the Northwoods Wildlife Center, Sgt. Angela Mertz of the Rhinelander Police Department and K-9 Drago, and Wild Instincts.
When not participating in educational events, the children enjoyed swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, fileting fish, cooking over a fire, paddle boarding, hikes, overnight tent trips, archery, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and games.
"We really try to make sure the kids have a choice in what they are going to do because kids have very little control over the world that they live in," Sauer said. "Being independent and being an independent adult is making sure that they are able to make choices when they're young."
Those who would like to enroll their children in camp but don't have the funds to do so can apply for a campership.
"Camp Fire Oneida Council, Inc. is such an awesome organization that is truly out to benefit kids in the community," Wallis said. "We give out a lot of money in scholarships so any and every kid has the opportunity to attend camp."
"Our duty is to make sure that the kids that wouldn't normally be able to go can go," Sauer added.
Day camp is available for 11 weeks, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children 6 to 14 years old are welcome to attend.
Residental camp is available for four weeks starting mid-July through August. Children sign up for a week.
Children 9 to 17 years old can participate in this camp. They can enjoy overnight canoe trips, camping, fishing and more.
"There is nothing greater than watching a child build a fire for their first time, or learning to use a kayak knowing they don't have the opportunity do these kinds of activities every day," Sommers said.
Children and their parents have been thrilled with the skills they've learned and friends they have made at camp.
"You have no idea how often we hear from parents, 'this is the best summer they have had yet,'" Wallis said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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