Welcome to the November 2004 edition of Camp Fire USA's Youth Connection! This newsletter is brought to you by members of the National Youth Advisory Cabinet (YAC) and other youth around the country.

We welcome any feedback or thoughts you have about the newsletter because, after all, it is created for youth by youth and we want it to be as useful as possible. If you would like to share feedback or ideas, please contact Youth Connection.

A Community Connection
When devastation due to a particularly harsh hurricane season left many Florida residents homeless and hungry, Camp Fire USA teens decided to do something about it. A Teens in Action group from the Camp Fire USA Patuxent Area Council in Bowie, Maryland, started collecting money to donate to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.

The project, entitled "Hundreds for the Hurricane," asks people to collect 100 of any denomination of coins or dollars to be given to the Red Cross. As part of the National Youth Campaign to fight hunger and homelessness, the teens plan to deliver the money to the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. when their drive ends at the end of December. So far, the teens have raised over $1,000 and are looking to raise even more before their drive ends.

Congratulations to the Patuxent Area teens on an outstanding effort to help those in need. If you have any questions or comments, or if you would to see how you can help, please contact Patuxent Council at: CampFirePatuxent@aol.com.

The Spirit of Camp Fire USA is a Year Round Affair
"Imagine spending eight weeks in the deep woods of the Willamette Valley using the skills within you to try to impact another young person's life. This is what my summer consisted of; I was the head program and archery instructor at Camp Fire USA Wilani Council's Camp Wilani located in Veneta, Oregon.

"I have been attending this camp for the past 14 years of my life, and it has almost become a second home to me. My experience this summer was unlike any other, and it all happened in just one week with just one young camper.

"His name was Josh*, and what set him apart from every single camper that I have ever seen was the fact that he was blind. Josh's inability to see did not stop him from being extremely enthusiastic with a willingness to try anything and everything. On the first day of camp it was time for Josh and his group to go to archery. Being the instructor, I explained to them the safety rules and procedure, all the way up to how to shoot a bow. The whole group was really excited to get to shoot except for Josh, who tried his hardest to slip away into a corner unnoticed by the rest.

"I approached Josh and invited him to learn to shoot, after much pleading he finally agreed. He took the bow into his hands as I slowly guided his fingers over all the parts and I showed him how to put an arrow on the bowstring. Josh pulled back and released, sending the arrow flying through the air only to hear the other kids in his group laughing at the fact that he shot over the target. Being very frustrated he refused to try again. Once more after much pleading Josh stepped back up to the shooting line. This time I took a balloon and stuck it onto the target so Josh could hear that he had hit the target. Time and time again I would stay with Josh trying as best I could to coach him.

"On the last day of camp Josh tried for his last time only to hit the balloon, not just once but again and again. All of his hard work had finally paid off, and Josh told me that this was the best day of his life. Seeing first hand the positive impact I made on one person's life reminded me of why I have stayed involved with Camp Fire USA for all of these years. I look forward to next summer at camp and the adventures it has in store for me."

Andrew Neill
Camp Fire USA Wilani Council, Eugene, Oregon

*Name has been changed.

Making a Difference, One Can at a Time
"My name is Spencer, and while attending the National Youth Leadership Forum in San Diego this past July, I thought of a great service project to do in my local council. I wanted a way to help connect my local council with the national issue of Hunger and Homelessness, and here is one way I came up with to do that.

"As president of the Camp Fire USA Green Country Council (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Lamp Lighters group, I am working with members to collect canned food and toiletry items to donate to local homeless shelters.

"Lamp Lighters is a service organization in my council, and, as a part of the Lamp Lighters dues, I have asked members to bring canned food and toiletry items with them to each meeting. All of the donations we collect at our meetings will then be donated to local shelters. "This is a very simple project that you can use to get your local teens involved in the national issue. If you have questions or comments, please e-mail me at yac@campfireusa.org."

Spencer Mayberry
Camp Fire USA Green Country Council, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Youth Venture Grants
Do you have a great idea for a long-term project? Could you use up to $1,000 to make an important difference in your community? Of course you can: you're in Camp Fire USA!

Youth Service America wants to encourage your creativity and initiative with Youth Venture Grants. The grants are designed to help motivated, community-minded youth like you start new and exciting projects that will continue to make a difference for a long time. They want you to do it as long as you can dream it.

Don't let the word "grant" scare you away. The application process will help you and your partners define your idea. Be realistic with your budget and tell them why your project deserves their money. Check out the grant information at www.youthventure.org.

Just ask WoHeLo Legacy, a group based in the Camp Fire USA Balcones Council in Austin, Texas. This group applied for and received a $700 Youth Venture grant to start an alumni association for their council. Check out WoHeLo Legacy at www.campfireusabalcones.org/alumni and ask them about how they got involved with Youth Venture.

Good luck!

Know YOUR Camp Fire USA!
1) How many different colors of beads currently represent the trails of the Camp Fire USA program?
a) 8 (red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, purple, brown)
b) 7 (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple)
c) 5 (red, yellow, green, light blue, brown)
d) 3 (red, white, blue)

2) Finish this lyrical line (hint - ask your friends who went to Forum!): "Friends are nothing 'til they…"
a) Laugh together
b) Sing together
c) Play together
d) Work together
e) Cry together
f) Camp together
g) All of the above

Answers: 1) c 2) g

Check back next month for the next issue of Camp Fire USA's Youth Connection. If you would like to receive subsequent issues by e-mail, please contact Youth Connection.