Program Philosophy | Core Values | Contact Info | Sponsors | Board and Staff
Camp Fire USA Balcones Council has a long tradition of serving youth in central Texas. Founded in 1966 as an outdoor program, we continue the tradition of building confidence in youth through camping and other outdoor skills, as well as other programs. The Camp Fire USA curriculum is based on developing the whole child and strengthening the family through diverse service-learning programs. The Balcones Council encompasses 10 counties in central Texas: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, De Witt, Hays, Lavaca, Llano, Travis and Williamson. Since its inception, our council has provided youth in central Texas with service learning opportunities, and hands-on experiences with leadership and outdoor skills. The Balcones Council was the first youth organization in the area to provide all-inclusive, nondenominational small group programs.
Program Philosophy
Nearly a century of experience as a leader in providing programs and services to youth and their families has allowed Camp Fire USA to carve out a unique niche in the youth development movement in America. In 1999 Camp Fire adopted a new mission statement and set of core values that firmly embrace our unique mission and assure that we continue to meet the needs of young people and families into the 21st century. We serve youth of all races, religions, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity. Camp Fire USA's coeducational programs help both girls and boys cultivate their unique talents and skills. More importantly, Camp Fire offers all families, whatever family may look like in today's society, life-enhancing experiences and the opportunity to serve, play and grow together. We believe that the best youth development takes place in small group environments where youth have an opportunity to interact with adults and other youth in a safe, fun environment that allows them to develop personal skills.
Camp Fire USA'S Core Values
Camp Fire USA adheres to 12 core values that guide the development of programs and the organization as a whole:
- We believe that children and youth are our most precious resources.
- We believe in an approach to youth development that builds assets and empowers individuals.
- We believe that the best youth development occurs in small groups where children and youth are actively involved in creating their own learning.
- We are committed to coeducation, providing opportunities for boys, girls and families to develop together.
- We provide caring, trained mentors to work with children and youth.
- We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity.
- We respect and celebrate nature.
- We foster leadership, engaging children and youth to give service and make decisions in a democratic society.
- We provide safe, fun and nurturing environments for children and youth.
- We enrich parents' and other adults' lives by expanding their skills and encouraging them to share their talents and build relationships with children and youth.
- We respond to community needs with our programs and expertise.
- We advocate on behalf of children, youth and families
Contact Information
For your convenience, you may also submit comments via our Contact Form.
ADDRESS
1603 East 38th 1/2 Street
Austin, TX 78722-1505
Phone: (512) 349-2111
Fax: (512) 220-2360
OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to please call the office in advance.
DIRECTIONS
From Interstate Highway 35 North: Take Exit 236—A (or Exit 237—A on the lower deck), which is the 38 ½ Street exit. Turn east onto 38 ½ Street, and go under Interstate Highway 35. You will see a Fiesta Food Market on the north side of 38 ½ Street. Drive five blocks east, cross the railroad tracks and continue for one more block. We are located near Maplewood Elementary School in the house next door to the Asbury United Methodist Church.
From Interstate Highway 35 South: Take Exit 236—B, on the lower deck, and continue northbound for two and a half blocks. Turn east onto 38 ½ Street. You will see a Fiesta Food Market on the north side of 38 ½ Street. Drive five blocks east, cross the railroad tracks and continue for one more block. We are located near Maplewood Elementary School in the house next door to the Asbury United Methodist Church.
Rebecca Benz, Executive Director at rbenz@campfireusabalcones.org.
Sponsors
Community Partners
- Amalfi Designs
- Annie E. Casey Foundation
- AISD / Pecan Spring Elementary
- Applied Materials
- Austin Area Rotary Clubs
- Bank of America
- Camp Fire USA
- Casa Verde Builders
- The Dell Foundation
- Extend-A-Care
- Foundation Communities
- Greenlights
- H.E.B.
- Huntsman
- IBM
- Junior League of Austin
- Kimberly Clarke Foundation
- The Lower Colorado River Authority
- Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
- New York Life Foundation
- Old Settler's Music Festival
- The Powell Family Foundation
- Randalls
- The Ray and Mary Margaret Farabee Foundation
- REI
- Silicon Laboratories
- St. Edward's University
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- TradeMark Media
- United Way Hays County
- University of Texas School of Social Work
- Wal-Mart Foundation
Employee Giving
- Applied Materials
- Dell
- Texas - State Employee Charitable Campaign
Multiple Year Individual Donors
- Allen Ambuhl
- Jack and Nell Brown
- Vicki and Paul Chamberlain
- Nan and Bill Clayton
- Robert Digneo
- Peggy Foreman
- Peggy Galbraith
- Patricia Hadden
- John Hinte and Rebecca Benz
- Janet Hutchison and Scott Ford
- Denise Meikel
- Del Morgan
- Robert Norris
- Marlene and Sid Rich
- Mina Loomis-Norris
- Phyllis Siddall
- Pauline Strong
- Dee Ann and Mike Thomasson
- David Uribe
- Linda Welsh
- Emily Wethington
- Kay and Leon Whitney
Board and Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALLEN AMBUHL, PRESIDENT
ERICA BREEDLOVE, VICE PRESIDENT
DENISE MEIKEL, VICE PRESIDENT
BRADLEY DUMAS, TREASURER
JOHN NORTON, SECRETARY
LIZ BROWN BULLOCK
ANGELA CASTELLJA
ESTHER CHUNG
SUSAN FARIAS
CINDY LOEFFLER
ANA MARTINEZ
DONNA PITTS
POLLY STRONG, Ph.D
DIANA WHEELER
KIM WILSON
JACKSON PRITCHETT, Youth Representative
ADVISORY COUNCIL
VALERIE DAVIS, CEO and co-founder, EnviroMedia, Inc.
ROBERT DIGNEO, President for Community Affairs, AT&T.
KURT HILL, Regional Community Liasion, REI.
JULIAN HUERTA, Foundation Communities.
JILL PASEWALK, CEO, Camp Fire USA National.
MARISELA RIOS, Applied Materials.
ANDREW SANSOM, CEO, River Systems Institute.
PHYLLIS SCHUNCK, Attorney, Clark, Thomas & Winters.
JOHN SPENCE, Director, Texas Center for Service Learning.
ANN STAFFORD, Community Liasion, Spansion.
LINDA WELSH, Professor, ACC
STAFF
REBECCA BENZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Rebecca joined the Balcones Council in February 2004 as Executive Director. With two decades of experience leading award-winning youth development organizations and 10 years as a club leader and Camp Fire USA volunteer, Rebecca brings the Balcones Council a wealth of talent.
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CORI STENNETT, PROGRAM COORDINATOR.
LISA SCHEMANSKE, OFFICE COORDINATOR.
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