Camp Fire Heartland

Camp Fire Heartland

Day Camp

As one of the nation’s leading youth development organizations, Camp Fire takes pride in its long-standing commitment to providing programs and services to all youth and families. Camp Fire Heartland works to realize the dignity and worth of each person and to eliminate human barriers based on all assumptions that prejudge individuals. All of Camp Fire Heartland’s programs are designed and implemented to reduce sexual, racial, religious, disability, and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive relationships. In Camp Fire, everyone is welcome.  

Camp and Environmental programs immerse youth in nature to learn, explore, and grow together while developing a lifelong respect for the outdoors. At camp, youth participate in carefully designed activities that spotlight the power of nature to awaken the senses and the desire to learn. Youth from diverse backgrounds develop important skills, such as self-reliance, self-regulation, and problem-solving (based on Camp Fire’s national curricula), while interacting with natural surroundings and enjoying fun physical activities, such as swimming, archery, hiking, and more. Participants are encouraged to make their own decisions, have fun, and seek adventure. These activities are important for every child – but it is especially important that young people who do not have access to outdoor activities, and those who have not had the opportunity to learn important skills, such as swimming. 

Camp Fire Heartland offers one-week day camps from 7:30 AM-6:00 PM Monday-Friday for seven weeks during the summer. Approximately 50 children per week are enrolled for one-week sessions, hosted at Camp Lake of the Woods in Swope Park through close partnership with the Kansas City, Missouri Parks, and Recreation Department where young people learn to turn off their screens and are active in nature.  The program also includes social/emotional lessons, while appreciating the outdoors.  Camp Fire Heartland’s summer program is accredited by the American Camping Association which requires the highest integrity and implementation of policies that ensure health, safety, and proper risk management.