A little reason to celebrate
Camp Fire Girls Day
History ยท March 17
Camp Fire Girls Day honors the American youth group now called Camp Fire, known for camping, outdoor skills and learning by doing.
Camp Fire Girls Day falls on Wednesday, March 17, 2027. That is 141 days away.
Camp Fire Girls was an American youth organization that gave girls a place to camp, learn crafts and spend real time outdoors. Today the group is simply called Camp Fire, and it welcomes young people of every gender. The older name still hangs on in family stories, scrapbooks and the memories of anyone who once earned a bead for tying a decent knot.
The heart of the program has always been hands-on learning. Members picked up practical skills like building a fire safely, cooking over coals, identifying plants and finding their way on a trail. Clubs met in living rooms and church basements as much as in the woods, so a lot of the work was crafts, service projects and the slow business of learning to cooperate with other kids.
Many former members remember the ceremonial gowns decorated with beads, each bead standing for something learned or done. Others remember the boxed candy sold door to door, which kept clubs running and put mint chocolate in a great many kitchen drawers.
People mark the day by looking back and by getting outside. Some dig out old photos and patches, others ask a parent or grandparent what their club did on weekends. It is also a natural moment to try one of those outdoor skills yourself, even if the campfire is just a candle and the trail is a neighborhood park.
A box of old craft beads in an attic can hold a surprising amount of someone's childhood.
Ways to celebrate
- Ask an older relative whether they belonged to a Camp Fire club.
- Learn to tie one useful knot, like a bowline.
- Take a short walk and identify three local plants or trees.
- Look through old family photos for scouting or club pictures.
- Cook a simple meal outdoors where fires or grills are permitted.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, March 17 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, March 17 |
| 2028 | Friday, March 17 |
| 2029 | Saturday, March 17 |
| 2030 | Sunday, March 17 |
Also on March 17
Categories: History days