Camp Fire National Friendship Fund

Program Type: Financial and community resource assistance program

Purpose

Fills in funding gaps throughout the national Camp Fire network, extends existing scholarship programs, and supports projects that remove barriers to accessibility and participation in camp and outdoor programs.

Focus Areas

• Financial assistance/scholarships for campers with limited incomes
• Accessibility improvements to camp facilities
• Outdoor gear and equipment for campers with financial need
• Gender-inclusive and gender-neutral facilities and policies
• Programs serving Indigenous youth and other marginalized communities
• Workforce skills training and stipends

Historical Context

The modern Friendship Fund re-launched in 2022 with $20,000 from a seed donor. It has historical precedent as Camp Fire's emergency relief source from the 1950s-1970s, notably supporting recovery efforts in Prince William Sound, Alaska after the 1964 earthquake.

Recent Project Examples (2022)

• Tuition coverage for families with limited incomes
• Purchasing outdoor gear (hiking boots, sleeping bags, water bottles, jackets)
• Installing automatic door-openers at dining halls and community centers
• Buying gender-inclusive swim shirts
• Upgrading water systems and bathrooms
• Supporting Leader-in-Training programs for Indigenous youth (free tuition, stipends, workforce skills training)

Camp Tuition Range

$400 to $1,800 depending on location, session length, and activities offered

Application Process

1. Application Window: Applications for Friendship Fund projects open early each year
2. Submission: Affiliates submit applications for specific barrier-removal projects
3. Planning Session: Selected affiliates participate in a planning session with the DEI Specialist
4. Finalization: Once the project plan is finalized, requested funds are distributed
5. Maximum Request: Up to $5,000 per affiliate per funding round

Required Elements

Applications should describe:

• Specific barriers to camp access or participation
• Proposed project to remove identified barriers
• How the project aligns with accessibility and inclusion goals
• Expected outcomes and impact

Contact for Applications

Check with your local Camp Fire council or contact Ben Matthews at ben.matthews@campfire.org for application details and timelines.