Using family clubs to maintain community well being
Abstract
Communities are only as healthy as the families that inhabit them. The Community Family Club is a small group model that offers quality co-educational youth development programs for parents and children. Utilizing Camp Fire USA curriculum, the program involves the entire family in small group, asset-building activities and experiences. This model builds caring, confident youth and future leaders, facilitates family togetherness, and creates closer, more vital communities. This practice was highlighted on the USA Freedom Corps website in December 2002.Issue
Involving whole families in activities that promote self-esteem, value and accomplishments for all members fosters vital relationships that promote community well being.Action
The Community Family Club is a small group model that offers quality coeducational youth development programs for parents and children. Utilizing Camp Fire USA curriculum, the program involves the entire family in small group, asset-building activities and experiences. Effective practices in the areas of structure and activities include:
Structure
- Community Family Clubs are designed to be delivered in four primary venues: schools, churches, corporations, and childcare centers, in turn creating strong partnerships with these organizations.
- Community Family Clubs are flexible -- responding to the specific needs of particular neighborhoods.
- Designed for the whole family, the goal is to include at least one adult family member or a supporting adult from the community with every child who attends.
- Children of all ages, infants through teens, are included.
- As few as three families can make up a club.
- Developmental outcomes are identified for every age level, including the adult participants.
- Positive family support and interaction is built around experiences that are structured, educational, and fun.
- The group collectively decides on appropriate activities -- from crafts to technology.
- Families come together once a month to share a meal and participate in a recognition ceremony designed to honor both individual and group accomplishments. The club then breaks into groups by age-level for an activity session led by a team of parents who volunteer for the short-term assignment for that month.
- Once a month the group takes part in a field trip on a topic related to the curriculum work, or takes part in a council-wide event such as a family camp out.
- The group is encouraged to meet once a month for an informal activity night to work on the curriculum projects.
- For the fourth week of the month, the group is given take-home family activities that enhance the large group experience.
Context
- Camp Fire USA is one of the nation's leading youth development organizations whose mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. Camp Fire USA has five nationally developed youth development programs that are delivered through 120 local councils across the nation, focusing on specific community needs. These outcome-based programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and childcare.
- Founded in 1910, the organization serves both boys and girls in 40 states and the District of Columbia, currently involving 735,000 children and youth annually. In response to the President's call to service, Camp Fire USA will launch 200 Community Family Clubs during 2003. These clubs will involve as many as 3000 families in volunteer service projects in their communities.
Outcome
Outcomes are measured based on five essential components of the program's mission and values.- Programs are youth-centered.
Personal skill building and decision-making builds confidence and leadership in youth. - The entire family is engaged in fun and outcome-rich activities.
Parents, extended family members and other adults in the community are encouraged to routinely interact with youth, and develop their own parenting and mentoring skills. - All are welcome.
Youth find a safe and inclusive place to explore the uniqueness of who they are, to master important life skills, to share with peers and adults, and to develop assets that are essential to character-building and maturity. - Youth and adult partnerships are built.
Youth and adults work together to design, implement and evaluate what they do. - Service to others is provided.
Councils provide innovative and diverse programs that are responsive to specific needs of their community and engage the support and cooperation of other community leaders and organizations in their efforts. Through service, young people make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of their families and communities.
Posted On
December 5, 2002For More Information