At Camp Fire Georgia, youth voice is a core part of how we operate. It’s intregal to the Camp Fire Promise:
To us, “lifting young people’s voice” means giving campers real input, not only in how they express themselves but in how our programs are run.
At the beginning of each session, campers select the activities they want to participate in. From water sports, arts and crafts, or outdoor skills, campers get to decide what their camp week looks like. When campers are trusted to make those choices, they feel ownership and pride in their experience—and they’re more engaged because of it.
That sense of agency doesn’t stop there. At the end of the week, campers share their thoughts with us through short surveys. They tell us what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d like to see in the future. These reflections directly inform how we plan and adapt our programs. It’s not just about collecting feedback—it’s about listening and making meaningful changes based on what we hear.
When youth voice is truly centered, everyone benefits. Campers build confidence, staff learn how to better support their needs, and programs evolve to stay relevant and inclusive. We’re not just preparing young people to lead someday—we’re giving them space to lead right now.
Read more here:
https://campfire.org/blog/article/youth-voice-means-us/
https://campfire.org/blog/article/promise-to-youth-voice/