Absolutely Incredible Kid Luncheon

Meet the New President/CEO

Camper Spotlights

SUMMER 2015

Compass

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Letter from Ann:Meet the New President/CEOThe first few weeks in a new job can be exciting, scary, and overwhelming – just to name a few of the things I have felt since the first of July. Although I’ve been employed here for thirty-eight years, stepping into the role of President/CEO has meant seeing this council in a very different way. With that change in perspective, I have had the chance to see many of our programs first hand and to visit with most of the board of directors individually, all of whom have been enthusiastic about where we are headed as an organization. When asked about the opportunities for Camp Fire First Texas in the near future, board members have mentioned a variety of things – expansion of child care quality-related training, growth in after school programming, and opportunities for a multitude of programs at El Tesoro. We have a bright future ahead!

This would not have been possible without the long, successful and influential leadership of Zem Neill, who retired at the end of June after having been the President/CEO of Camp Fire First Texas since 1978. During Zem’s tenure, First Texas grew from a council focusing on two programs (club and camp) with twelve staff to a multi-program agency with a hundred staff. Zem’s influence on the youth and families in this area has been far-reaching and her leadership was felt throughout the Camp Fire system as a trainer, conference presenter and national board member. Her accomplishments included leading three major capital campaigns which resulted in outstanding facilities for both the local headquarters and at El Tesoro. She has left us with a legacy of attention to detail and an unrelenting quest for quality in all that we do.

Thank you, Zem, for your years of service, for your vision and for guiding the growth and impact of Camp Fire First Texas. You will be missed!

Together with outstanding volunteers and a great staff team, we are looking forward to continuing the legacy of innovation and excellence at Camp Fire First Texas.

WoHeLo,

Ann SheetsPresident/CEO

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Cathy Tisdale, President and CEO Camp Fire National Headquarters and Zem Neill

Camp Fire Event Planning Committee with Zem

Fare Thee Well One June 2, community members, friends, volunteers and colleagues congratulated Zem Neill on her retirement from Camp Fire First Texas after 37 years as President/CEO. The event was held at River Crest Country Club, which held special significance, as it was also the location of Zem’s interview for the CEO job in 1978. Lauri Cutis Hadobas, Board Chairman, announced that the headquarters building will be renamed the “Zem Neill Camp Fire Resource Center for Youth Development” in honor of her outstanding contributions during her tenure. Congratulations and best wishes to Zem!

Ribbon Cutting at New Cabins

From left to right: Guy Mabee, Sarah Topham and David Nolet

On July 15, Camp El Tesoro welcomed Guy Mabee, from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, and David Nolet and Sarah Topham of J.P. Morgan Private Bank representing the Joe & Jesse Crump Foundation, to cut the ribbon on two new cabins their support made possible.

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Summer Highlights Summer 2015

Camp El Tesoro Partners to Create MemoriesFor the third year, Camp Fire partnered with the Presbyterian Night Shelter to offer a unique camp experience for homeless children and youth. Each camper receives a fully stocked camp trunk of items that they picked out packed with what they needed to enjoy camp.

Raising of America ScreeningCamp Fire, together with the Miles Foundation, Texas Association for Infant Mental Health (TAIMH), Lena Pope, United Way of Tarrant County, Educational Alignment for Young Children, Rainwater Charitable Foundation and Community Foundation of North Texas is helping to facilitate ongoing discussions about early childhood education and quality in our community through the Raising of America film series. Check out theraisingofamerica.org to watch the full series!

AmeriCorps VISTA Joins Camp Fire this SummerCamp Fire partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to help provide an extra helping hand for all of our summer youth. Two VISTA workers, Thomas and Brianna, worked out of Camp Fire Diamond Hill Station. They assisted with activities and programming stemming from Camp Fire’s core values of WoHeLo (work, health, love). Both Brianna and Thomas say they enjoy working with VISTA because it allows them to do what they really love – work with children. As incoming college freshmen,

both volunteers are grateful for the opportunity to develop and refine their skills and appreciate the amount of responsibility the program has instilled in them. Janice, our third VISTA worker, had the opportunity to work with our Step Up youth. A senior at Texas Tech, Janice was excited to partner with Camp Fire because it has given her the opportunity to work with older youth. She has taken to the Camp Fire message of “finding your spark” and enjoys being a spark champion to youth.

From the CoverSam Teagarden is one of this year’s Absolutely Incredible Kids that will be featured at the luncheon. He may be young, but through his actions he shows that your age does not determine the kind of difference you can make. Learn more about Sam, and the other Absolutely Incredible Kids, at this year’s luncheon. Details are on page 2. Sam is featured on the cover with his older brother, Max.

Camper SpotlightsBelow are camper stories that have been featured in the Camp Fire blog. Learn more about each of our Camper Spotlights and what camp means to them by reading more at CampFireFW.org.

Olivia is a third-year El Tesoro camper whose love for camp reaches back an entire generation.”

Ramiro lives more than 400 miles away from Camp Fire, but that doesn’t stop him from being an El Tesoro Camper.”

Taylor’s favorite Parker County Day Camp field trip had him feeling like one of the pros.”

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Fall Activities are Here!

After School Programs Get Ready for Back-to-SchoolCamp Fire is getting ready to go back to school with our after school program. Each of our seven locations provide programs that go beyond being a safe place, but excel at providing nurturing environments that help youth develop life-long skills to connect with one another, identify their goals and map out how to achieve them! Registration opened in August.

Fall Camping on Fall Creek

Save the date of October 23-25 for the annual Fall Camping on Fall Creek weekend.

Camp favorites such as archery, hiking, canoeing and s’mores are on the agenda along with special programming for the Pre-K set. Plus! With six new cabins added this year, more guests will be able to enjoy the updated facilities. Registration is now available. See you there!

Texas Parks and Wildlife – BOW Event Camp El Tesoro was chosen as one of the 2015 host sights for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program offered by

TDPW. Workshops span a weekend and are divided into four sessions.

Class topics are diverse such as: shooting sports, fishing, kayaking, and non-harvest activities like birdwatching and plant identification. As much as possible the classes are taught with the “hands-on” approach. More information and registration details are available on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

Child Care Locator Support is Only One Call AwayFall is a key time for families to look for early childhood programs, after school options or other child-centered services. One call to Camp Fire Resource & Referral connects them with a specialist who will help identify options for care based on the criteria of the parent/guardian. As an added bonus, they are provided resources to better navigate the sometimes daunting task of selecting safe, quality care for their children. One call to 817-831-2111 is all that is needed.

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Step UpStep Up youth had a busy summer full of volunteer projects, educational activities and field trips. Once a week, the group met to discuss Camp Fire Thrive{ology} and learned to apply the theories to their lives as students. They learned about finding their spark, creating a growth mindset, building goal management skills and the importance of reflection. On Fridays, the high school group held true to the WoHeLo values of Camp Fire and visited local Fort Worth hot-spots for volunteer activities. Our group sorted food at the Tarrant Area Food Bank for families in need, planted flowers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and received job training from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. During one of their meetings, Councilman Sal Espino met with the youth and shared his special connection with North Fort Worth and stressed the importance of education. Many participants said they enjoyed coming to Step Up every week because it is their “safe place.”

Special Guests Visit Diamond Hill StationTCU Head Coach, Gary Patterson, made a special visit to the youth at Camp Fire Diamond Hill Station Summer Day Camp. He shared with them the importance of setting a goal and creating a plan to achieve it. He was joined by wife, Kelsey, and two distinguished players and TCU alumni, Coach Joseph Turner and Principal Chad McCarty. The Gary Patterson Foundation also provided the program with a surprise gift of $1,000 to support the needs at Diamond Hill Station.

Your Next Shopping Trip Could Benefit Camp FireSince 2014 by participating in shopping card donation programs Camp Fire First Texas has received more than $950 and 2015 isn’t even over.

Help Camp Fire programs while you shop by taking advantage of these rewards programs Camp Fire First Texas is linked to. I bet you’ll see some retailers YOU know.

Tom Thumb If you have a Tom Thumb rewards card, link the Camp Fire Good Neighbor number (2742) to your card. Just stop by customer service at your local Tom Thumb store to complete!

Kroger Add Camp Fire as your Community Rewards organization (number is 84338) at customer service or online at krogercommunityrewards.com.

smile.amazon.com When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Camp Fire First Texas. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same Amazon as you would expect, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Camp Fire. Type this link into your browser to get started: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/75-0851201.

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Contributors May 1, 2015 through August 7, 2015

INDIVIDUALS Mr. and Mrs. John E. AckerLisa AustinKathleen and D.R. BalesMr. and Mrs. Jim BarberKaren Haun BarlowMs. Michele BarrowAnne T. and Robert M. BassMrs. Carolyn W. BellahMr. Turner BettisMrs. Jeanne BoatmanMs. Bridget BrewerBrianna BroussardMs. Blanca Elena BurciagaMr. and Mrs. Mark ByarsMs. Leticia M. CaraveoMrs. Judi ChisamMr. Paul K. ChitwoodSkyla ClaxtonCindy ClinesMr. Christopher G. CoatesLisa A. CookMr. and Mrs. Danny CorbeilleMalinda Murphey CowanMs. Erin CoxMs. Peggy Jean CraftNikki Roe CroppMr. and Mrs. Winfield CrumleyMr. and Mrs. Dan CustredMs. Carlene DaileyMs. Mecole DardenMr. and Mrs. Phillip G. DavisMs. Karol Genovese Del RealMr. and Mrs. William J. DiehnaltVirginia Clay DormanNancy DozierLisa and Bruce EppsMr. and Mrs. AJ EsquivelMr. and Mrs. S.K. FergusonGreg FrenchMaren GibbsJohn C. GilbertMrs. Nancy Romine GillisLydia A. GoetzMr. and Mrs. Harry GoolsbyMr. and Mrs. Steve GuessMr. and Mrs. Jerry L. HalbertDorothy and Gary HamesMs. Lisa HamiltonMrs. Ellen R. HarrisMr. and Mrs. Chris A. HintonMs. Linda HixonMrs. Janice Howe Mrs. Lisa Hull Mr. and Mrs. Joe V. JacksonConnie JacksonMr. and Mrs. Jake JacobsonDiane Lochtrog JohnsonChristy R. JonesMr. Tommy JudsenMs. Joanie KeaysMs. Jackie KeeferMrs. Christi Key

Wendy KingMr. Jeremy KlassenMr. Jim LandonMr. and Mrs. Tim LandonMr. and Mrs. Lee LastMr. and Mrs. Michael LeightyMr. and Mrs. James J. LeslieMr. and Mrs. Chris LokeyLyn and Brad LucasMrs. Jeanne MabeyMr. and Mrs. William MassadMr. Matt MaxwellMr. Victor McCallErin and Jason McDonaldMr. Todd McEvoyMr. and Mrs. Andrew McGarrahanPat McLaughlinMr. and Mrs. William C. MilamMr. and Mrs. Matthew MitchellCheryl Y. MixonMr. and Mrs. John MollisonDr. and Mrs. Willis H. Murphey, Jr.Ludi NavarroMs. Danielle E. NeedhamZem NeillMrs. Janiece Simmons NolanMs. Stephanie OelkersMrs. Rita V. O’FarrellMrs. Nikki OrdonezSylvia and Donald OttoJane ParrisShannon L. PenaBecca PickernMr. and Mrs. Butch PotvinMr. Mick RobinsonMrs. Barbara RogersDr. and Mrs. Tom Rogers, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Jon ScarboroughMr. and Mrs. Robert L. SchroederMs. Becky ScogginsHortencia SernaMs. Sheryl SewellMr. Eric ShearmanAnn and Jim SheetsMr. and Mrs. Scott R. SheltonMrs. Jackie ShrodeMr. and Mrs. Grady ShropshireJamie Davis and Cory SimpsonMr. and Mrs. Brooks SmithMs. Susan Lucky SmithMr. and Mrs. Steve R. SnowMr. and Mrs. James SpillerMr. George E. SteenMr. and Mrs. Terry StewartChris StilloMr. Earl L. Stone IVMrs. Diana SullivanMr. and Mrs. John G. ThornhillLydia TovarMr. and Mrs. Richard C. TraylorMs. Nancy TurnerMs. Traci UncelDorothy M. Vaught

Mr. and Mrs. James S. WallaceKristi WedgeMr. and Mrs. Mark WelbornDeVonna L. WicksDorothy WingLeah WingardDrenda and John WittMs. Mary C. Wysong

CORPORATIONS / ORGANIZATIONS

Baylor L. Agerton TrustAlbertson’s Community Partners

ProgramAlbertsons SafewayAmazonSmileAT&TBank of TexasBen E. Keith FoodsBernau Family FoundationBNSF Railway CompanyC.B. Baird, Jr. FoundationCotton Patch CafeCross Timbers Chapter Texas Master

Naturalists, Inc.James A. “Buddy” Davidson

Charitable FoundationJ.E.S. Edwards FoundationThelma, Emil and Edmund

Fahrenkamp Memorial TrustFirst Presbyterian ChurchFort Worth Art Dealers AssociationThomas V. Giddens, Jr. FoundationJPMorgan Chase BankJunior League of Fort Worth, Inc.Legacy Texas BankLockheed Martin AERO ClubMcAfee Matching Gifts ProgramThe Miles FoundationThe Gary Patterson FoundationPier 1 ImportsRainwater Charitable FoundationThe Roach FoundationThomas M., Helen McKee & John P.

Ryan FoundationSabre Silicon Valley Community

FoundationFrances C. and William P. Smallwood

FoundationSouthside BankTexas Health ResourcesTom Thumb Good Neighbor

ProgramElizabeth Toon CharitiesUnion Pacific FoundationUnited Way of Central New MexicoUnited Way of Hood CountyUnited Way of Tri-StateWells Fargo FoundationWhite Settlement Police Officers

AssociationWilliams Trew Real Estate ServicesWomen’s Leadership Council,

United Way of Tarrant County

HONORARIUMSDenis Cranford James B. Landon Zem Neill’s retirement Virginia Clay Dorman Jane Parris Dorothy M. Vaught Williams Trew Real Estate Services Drenda and John WittAnn and Jim Sheets Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. TraylorAnn Sheets, new CEO Drenda and John Witt

MEMORIALSWeldon B. Hatch III Cross Timbers Chapter Texas

Master Naturalists, Inc. The Drigallas Family The Fisher Family Ms. Sandra Fountain Mr. and Mrs. William C. Milam The Sewel Family Mr. and Mrs. Terry Stewart Mr. and Mrs. James S. WallaceLouisa Wilson Haun Karen Haun Barlow Nancy DozierAlexis Householder Ms. Lisa HamiltonAdele Klein Mr. Paul K. ChitwoodLynn Klein Judi Chisam Jan Drysdale Zem Neill Ann and Jim Sheets Mary C. WysongJudith Lokey Ann and Jim Sheets

CAPITAL CAMPAIGNMrs. Jamy BakerBNSF Railway FoundationJill and Todd BoydstonLisa A. CookJ.E.S. Edwards FoundationVincent Genovese Memorial

FoundationDiane Lochtrog JohnsonMr. Gautam RoyAnn and Jim SheetsWard VealeMr. Jeff Williams

IN-KINDGlobal PrairieHome DepotNell and Herbert JohnsonMr. Gordon LockhartMr. James R. PratzMr. Jesse Roiz

Camp Fire First Texas2700 Meacham Blvd.Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4699CampFireFW.org

Non-profit org.US Postage

PAID Fort Worth, TXPermit 2480

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Our PromiseYoung people want to shape the world.Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find theirspark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.In Camp Fire, it begins now.

Light the fire within

Council BoardCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Lauri Curtis Hadobas

VICE CHAIRMAN, ADMINISTRATION

Bill McCoy

VICE CHAIRMAN,FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Jerri O. Akers

VICE CHAIRMAN, PLANNINGJake Yarbrough

TREASURERJenene Schaffer

SECRETARYGeorge W. Bean, Jr.

DIRECTORSMonica BalboJennifer BlackHeidi Coombs

Kimberly DeWoodyJennifer GarciaDolores GarzaMarilyn Gilbert

Michele HahnfeldThomas HookNancy Hooper

Edward C. LangeBrant C. Martin

Winjie MiaoTod M. Miller

Randi MitchellJohn Molyneaux

Cheryl MooreBrit Phillips

Judd PritchardEvelyn H. Richardson

Roland SchaferChuck SheridanLinda Springer

John StrongLynda Tiedtke

Jared G. VitembKelli Walter

Andrew WardKay L. West

Lori West

FOUNDATION BOARDKevin Garman, Chairman

Daly R. Bales, Jr.Nina Hutton

Linda JacobsonAdelaide Leavens

Drew SpringerPatricia Vaughan

PRESIDENT/CEOAnn Sheets

FORT WORTH

Art Auction and Gala

SATURDAYNOVEMBER142015

Art Auction, Cocktails, Dinner, Live Music, Animal Showcase

and so much more!

At the

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#AnArtistsChristmasCampFireFW.org | 817.831.2111

2015 BOARD MEMBERS