MVNEOHCF: History

History

Council History (National)

Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 by Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D. and his wife, Charlotte. At this time there was a need for a program for girls of all races, all nationalities and religious beliefs, and all degrees of economic status. In 1975, the organization went co-ed. In 2001, the national organization's name changed to Camp Fire USA.

Council History (Local)

The first clubs were formed in 1912 in Newton Falls. The Youngstown Council of Camp Fire Girls, as it was originally known, received its national charter in September of 1920. Miss Claire McGuire was the only professional staff member and there were 200 girls and 15 leaders. The first office was in the basement of the public library. Some of the earliest board members were: Mrs. John Stambaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Strouss, Mrs. John Ford, Mrs. Fred Tod, Mr. and Mrs. John Chase and others.

By 1962 there were six districts working as "self administered" units within the framework of the total council. The local council came to include Mahoning and Trumbull Counties and, in order to be more inclusive, the name was officially changed to the Mahoning Valley Camp Fire Girls Council.

An important milestone was marked as the council celebrated it's 50th Anniversary locally in 1970. High point of the year's celebration was the Golden Anniversary Banquet held at Idora Park.

In 1975, the council allowed admission of all youth (boys as well as girls) birth to age 21 and the council dropped the word girls from its title.

In 1988, the Mahoning Valley Camp Fire Council empowered its older youth members and from there came the birth of Teens In Action.

On January 1st, 1997, the council name again changed with the addition of 8 new counties in its coverage area. Currently, the Mahoning Valley/Northeast Ohio Camp Fire Council covers the counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit and Trumbull.

In August of 2001, the council yet again experienced a name change becoming the Camp Fire USA Northeast Ohio Council.

In 2002, the Camp Fire USA Northeast Ohio Council added community family club. The concept of the community family clubs involves members of the entire family.