My Top 10 2023 “Camp Fire Wrapped”

It's been a busy December! My family just finished celebrating Hanukkah, and now my kids are trying to coerce their friends who celebrate Christmas to get Santa to drop a little something extra off for them too.?

Meanwhile, I’m in reflection mode as the Camp Fire office is about to close for the year. Inspired by “Spotify Wrapped” and the TikTok trend “Dating Wrapped”, I thought I’d try it for work. It’s hard to believe we were able to do this all in 12 months. I can’t help but be filled with gratitude!

Here are my top 10 highlights:??

1. Building a partnership with National Indian Education Association?

and moving from appropriation to reparations

Camp Fire is on a continuous journey to become a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible organization. Since we began conversations with NIEA, I have been in awe of their generosity and willingness to have open, honest dialogue. My team and I have already learned so much from Diana Cournoyer and Casie Wise, Ed.D. and I am excited to keep building on our progress in the months and years to come.?

2. Seeing equity in action

At Camp Fire, we want everyone to have what they need to thrive and we are committed to taking action toward that end. Across our national network, affiliates are increasing inclusion and accessibility with equity in mind. We know that it matters to staff, campers and families alike.?

3. Collaborating across sectors for young people’s success

I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to work with and learn from leaders in the U.S. Department of Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Aspen Institute to promote young people’s holistic thriving. I even got the chance to speak at the National Partnership for Youth Success Summit. Together, we are developing playbooks and action plans to make sure that youth have what they need to be successful and well.?

4. Growing our team

As Camp Fire grows and evolves, so does our team. I couldn’t be happier to have these five new talented folks on board: Catherine Koons Hubbard , Manager of Nature and Outdoor Programming; HK Gilbert , Training and Development Manager; Zach Wheatley , Director of Fund Development; Nav Deol-Johnson , Director, Strategic Initiatives; Alexis Oyediran ,? Short Form Video Content Creator.

5. Creating a just organization through inclusive leadership

It’s no surprise to me that leadership shows up everywhere in an organization, not just from people with titles. But it’s still been exciting to see how a dynamic group of employees is influencing Camp Fire for the better. Just HQ is a voluntary, employee-led group of leaders focused on championing the inclusive, equity-driven organizational culture and learning environment we want and seek.

6. Prioritizing child safety and youth protection

Young people’s safety has always been foundational at Camp Fire. It’s our top priority. To keep our safety practices and strategies stay up to date, Nikki Roe Cropp , Program Effectiveness Director and certified Praesidium Guardian, leads Camp Fire’s efforts in training, resource development, policies and procedures. This year, we developed a new Child Safety and Protection page on our website complete with an anonymous reporting button. I am so grateful to have Nikki at the helm of this important work.

7. Listening to youth voice

Something I love about Camp Fire is that we’re not just a youth-serving organization. We’re also youth-led. We regularly get ideas and feedback from our Youth Advisory Cabinet (YAC). I am regularly inspired by YAC members like Khalilah and Lydia who push us to embody our organizational values. I am also energized by work being done at camps like Camp Fire Columbia that is embracing developmental relationships to advance equity.?

8. Partnering with Playworks to bring safer, healthier play to schools

This fall, we launched Playworks TagTeam, a new youth development program that harnesses the power of play to benefit students and educators. The program will start with Camp Fire Alaska in Anchorage, AK, and with Camp Fire Heartland, in Kansas City, MO. The program and partnership plan to expand both nationally and locally over the coming year. I'm thrilled to be partnering with great leaders in the field like Elizabeth Cushing , who is reframing the conversation around collaboration in so many ways (check out her latest SSIR article on the topic)!

9. Expanding STEM programming

Science, technology, engineering and math have been part of Camp Fire programs formally and informally for years. Now, we’re taking a more focused approach through a new collaboration with Imagine Science and with support from 3M and AT&T. Camp Fire and Imagine Science are going to build a community of practice across Camp Fire affiliates, with an initial pilot group of five that launched this fall. Over time, we will share best practices and evaluate for continuous improvement. I am so excited to see all the creative ideas and implementation over the next months and years.

10. Camp Fire National Leadership Conference

The work we do is all about relationships and it was so rewarding to gather recently in DC with colleagues, affiliates and partners. I was honored to be part of a conversation about centering youth thriving with Karen J. Pittman and Merita Irby from KP Catalysts - Knowledge to Power Catalysts and National Youth Advisory Cabinet Member Kazumi Haag. Throughout the week, we learned about innovative technology and award-winning programs that support campers. And we sent every attendee home with a copy of Stephanie Malia Krauss ' amazing new book, “Whole Child, Whole Life.”

Thanks to everyone who has had a hand in making 2023 such a banner year at Camp Fire.

What was your 2023 Wrapped? Share it with me in the comments! Wishing you and your loved ones a?meaningful end of year.