Celebrating 115 Years: How Camp Fire Thrives as a Values-Led Organization
As one of the first youth organizations in the U.S. to welcome everyone—regardless of race, religion, gender, or background—we’ve always believed in the power of inclusive, values-led programming. This foundation that began in 1910 still fuels us today.
Celebrating our 115th year isn’t just a way to mark time; it’s an opportunity to reflect on our legacy of impact, equity, and growth. As we consider our past and look ahead to the future, we’re sharing the stories of five current Camp Fire staff members and leaders who also happen to be alumni. Their experiences with the organization span decades, and their unique perspectives from both sides of the coin give us a fun and insightful glimpse into what makes Camp Fire special.
Read more about Camp Fire’s History here.
From Campers to Changemakers: Leading with Lived Experience
Sara Lemke, VP of Development & Communications, Camp Fire Minnesota
For Sara Lemke, Camp Fire wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan, but it actually turned out to be life-changing. She only attended her first winter camp with Camp Fire Heart of Iowa in 8th grade because her dad asked her to be her younger sister’s buddy. But something clicked—and she never looked back.
From that point on, Sara immersed herself in everything Camp Fire had to offer: summer and winter camps, after-school programs, wilderness canoe trips, and a teen leadership apprenticeship program. In 2008, she capped off her youth journey as a camp counselor.
“Camp was the first place where I realized you could be both silly and responsible,” she says. “In everyday life, those qualities don’t always go together, but at camp, young people are trusted to grow their leadership skills—while still getting to goof off. It was a magical world where I could build confidence, discover who I was, and just be a kid.”
Her personal journey came full circle when she met her husband Eric at camp. Today, Sara leads with the same mix of joy and integrity that shaped her youth experience.
“I was drawn to Camp Fire Minnesota because of its commitment to accessible programs for all. Camp and time in nature helped me grow into myself, and now I get to help create that same space for today’s youth.”
Owen Ballard: Carrying Forward a Camp Fire Legacy
For Owen Ballard, Camp Fire is more than a job—it’s family tradition. Now CEO of Camp Fire Heart of Iowa, Owen’s connection to the organization runs generations deep.
“My mom was my club leader from 1st through 12th grade,” he shares. “She led my older sister’s club too, and her mom had been her club leader. Camp Fire is kind of a family tradition—my mom went to Camp Hantesa, and so did my aunt, uncles, sister, and cousins.”
Owen himself grew up attending clubs, day camps in Des Moines, and summers at Camp Hantesa. His love for Camp Fire only deepened when he joined the seasonal team as a young adult—and met his future wife there in 2016. “My wife jokes that Camp Fire is my whole life,” he laughs. “She might not be wrong.”
The impact Camp Fire has had on Owen’s life can’t be understated.
“Camp shaped so much of who I am,” he says. “It’s a place where kids gain confidence through real experiences—whether it’s climbing a rock wall, leading a group, or just surviving Iowa weather. Camp teaches resilience, perspective, and scrappiness.”
Owen stepped away from the organization for a few years to work in youth treatment, affordable housing, and fundraising—but during the pandemic, he felt a pull to return.
“I missed the work. At camp, you can have an immediate impact. It’s not just about programming—it’s about fixing what’s broken, showing up for kids, and building confidence through real experiences.”
He credits Camp Fire with shaping his perspective as a leader. “Living in a cabin with no A/C, managing a group of kids—then going back to college and thinking, ‘This is nothing compared to what I just did.’ That resilience, that ability to adapt, has stayed with me.”
Now, Owen leads efforts to expand Camp Fire’s reach across Iowa, especially to rural communities and immigrant families with limited access to youth programming. “It’s not always a moneymaker—but it’s a vital service. We’re meeting kids where they are and making sure no one is left behind.”
Cheyenne Bennett: Growing Up and Giving Back
Cheyenne Bennett’s Camp Fire journey began in 2004 with Camp Fire Samish in Bellingham, Wash. Her mom was the group leader, and the program quickly became a central part of Cheyenne’s childhood.
“It was a part of my home life and a huge way my mom and I spent time together,” she shares.
Through school-based meetings and seasonal camporees at Camp Kirby in Bow, Wash., Cheyenne formed lifelong friendships and developed skills that would shape her future.
“Even though we went to different schools, my Camp Fire group friends felt like sisters. We learned about ecosystems, different cultures, religions, and money management through candy sales—haha. It was another way of connecting to school and community through fun and learning.”
Cheyenne also completed Camp Kirby’s Counselor-in-Training program and finished her Wo-He-Lo project by the time she graduated high school. Her experience growing up as the group leader’s daughter brought both responsibility and opportunity.
“I had to be at every event and set an example—but it also gave me chances to do community outreach and build leadership skills early on. In high school, I even got awards for volunteer hours just from helping run our group’s annual events.”
In 2015, Cheyenne joined the staff at Camp Kirby, and today she works year-round for Camp Fire Samish in the Bellingham office.
“It feels so gratifying to help families and make it possible for any kid to find community,” she says. “Camp Fire gave me a place to grow and make mistakes in safety. Now I want to be that safe space for others.”
Gina "Sprout" Sanders: Growing Into Leadership with Camp Fire Columbia
For Gina Sanders, known to many as "Sprout," Camp Namanu in Oregon was a place of transformation. Starting at age 7, she attended camp for 11 summers, eventually becoming a Counselor-in-Training and staff member.
“Camp was a safe place for me growing up,” Gina says. “I always used to say that I grew more in my one week of camp every summer than I did the rest of the year.”
Those summers helped her find her voice, build leadership skills, and form deep friendships—including with her partner. Gina’s early Camp Fire experiences shaped her entire career path: After working as a camp counselor, she changed majors, transferred schools, and dedicated her career to youth development.
Now Executive Director at Camp Fire Columbia, Gina brings the same values she learned at camp to her leadership: step up/step back, intentionality, and creating space for growth.
“Camp Fire continues to be a place I can learn new skills, lead amongst my peers, and create new connections,” she says. “It’s where I found community—and still do.”
Pearl Verbon: Finding Her Voice, Building Her Future
Pearl Verbon’s Camp Fire story began in Southeast Iowa, when a community parent started a Camp Fire club. After a school year full of club adventures, her leader handed her a camp pamphlet—and that summer at Camp Hantesa changed everything.
“I got to try lapidary, rock climbing, did so many arts and crafts, and swam three times a day. It was amazing,” Pearl recalls. “I went home after that week and told my mom I was going to be a camp director when I grew up.”
After years of attending and working at Camp Hantesa, Pearl realized she didn’t want to just visit camp, she wanted to make a career out of it.
She shifted from studying education to majoring in Leisure Youth and Human Services, and later completed her internship at Camp Fire Snohomish County, where she now serves as Deputy Executive Director.
“Camp Fire built me and my personal philosophy from the ground up,” she says. “Through Camp Fire, I found my voice, learned how to lead, and discovered how much I loved being part of a team that made space for everyone to be themselves.”
Working her way through a variety of positions within Camp Fire also contributed to her personal leadership style and philosophy.
“I worked nearly every camp job over the years, and now help lead the organization,” she said. “That path taught me that no job is too small, and that the best leaders are servant leaders.”
What It Means to Be a Values-Led Organization
Being values-led isn’t just something Camp Fire says—it’s something we live. For over a century, we’ve put equity, inclusion, and connection at the heart of everything we do. We center youth voices. We build programs that reflect our communities. And we lead with authenticity and purpose.
Our leaders aren’t just administrators—they’re alumni, former counselors, and lifelong campers who get it. They know what it means to be that kid who needs a place to belong, to be themselves, to grow. They carry that understanding into every program, every decision, and every relationship.
Looking Ahead: Our Vision for the Future
As we move into our next 115 years, our vision is clear: We’re committed to expanding access to all youth—especially those who have historically been excluded or underserved. That means:
- Bringing Camp Fire programs to rural and low-resource communities
- Creating culturally responsive experiences for youth of all backgrounds
- Investing in equity-centered leadership development
- Continuing to innovate with joy, fun, and resilience
Camp Fire has always evolved to meet the needs of the moment. But we’ve never lost sight of who we are: a place where young people can be themselves, try new things, and grow into confident, capable leaders who are connected to themselves, to others, and to the outdoors.
Help Us Thrive for the Next 115 Years
We’re proud of our legacy—and even more excited about the future. But we can’t do it alone.
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