STATEMENT OF INCLUSION
Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status, and any category people use to define themselves or others. We strive to create safe and inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships. All are welcome at Camp Fire.
Learn more about our commitment to inclusion and discover what that looks like in our programs below.
Addressing and Repairing Cultural Appropriation
Land Acknowledgement
As we occupy property in Excelsior and Grand Rapids, MN, we want to acknowledge that we are on Native land belonging to the Dakota and Ojibwe people – who are the original and rightful stewards of these grounds. We cannot ignore the painful history that has brought us to reside on this stolen land. We also acknowledge the ongoing resilience and thriving of the Dakota and Ojibwe people in spite of that history. Camp Fire Minnesota is committed to education and justice through our environmental programming, gatherings, and camp activities. It is critical that we stay mindful about what it means to occupy space and teach youth on Indigenous land.
Indigenous Land Use Rentals Policy
Camp Fire Minnesota stewards 103 acres of rare, biodiverse land, including old-growth forest, a sugar bush, and freshwater shoreline, just 30 minutes from the Twin Cities. While many Indigenous communities in greater Minnesota may have more direct access to ancestral lands, Indigenous youth and organizations in the Twin Cities often face barriers to connecting with nature in culturally relevant and meaningful ways. There is a deep need for consistent, safe, and affirming access to land where Indigenous people can gather, practice cultural traditions, build community, and strengthen intergenerational knowledge-sharing.
Camp Fire Minnesota is committed to supporting Indigenous communities and advancing reconciliation. As part of this commitment, we offer our rental spaces at no charge to Indigenous-led organizations for their programs, gatherings, and events.
Indigenous Land Use Guidelines
- Indigenous organizations are welcome to use Camp Fire Minnesota’s property at no charge for gatherings, programs, and events. These must be private single-day or weekend rentals with a maximum of 150 attendees.
- Collaborating alongside our programs team, Indigenous organizations have rights to gather (e.g., plant/medicine harvesting, sap collection) and fish on Camp Fire Minnesota’s land, as long as they complete a background check and are affiliated with a recognized Indigenous organization.
- Ceremonial or sacred tobacco use is permitted on the property during exclusive-use rentals.
- Hunting or trapping is not permitted on the property at any time. Due to insurance and licensing restrictions, Camp Fire Minnesota cannot allow hunting (bow or firearm) or trapping on site.
- All rentals, including Indigenous organization use, follow the same booking process and property use guidelines to ensure fairness, safety, and stewardship of the land.
- We invite Indigenous organizations to contact our rentals team to discuss their vision, needs, and how we can best support their use of the property.
For inquiries or to book the property, please contact us at rentals@campfiremn.org.
Camp Name Change
In May 2022, we changed the name of our camp in Excelsior as part of our work to address past and current Native American cultural appropriation. Read the full statement here.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At Camp Fire Minnesota, inclusion is one of our core values, and we strive to live that value every day. We believe that each young person should have the opportunity to engage in the outdoors and in our programs freely and safely. It is our responsibility to create a space where everyone can be their full, authentic selves and be accepted for who they are.
Creating a welcoming and affirming environment requires intentionality, continuous learning, and unlearning. We will not always get it right, but we are committed to showing up with courage, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and taking action to create equitable and welcoming outdoor experiences.
You can see our inclusion commitment in action in a variety of ways when you engage in Camp Fire programs. We break this down into five categories: Financial Access; Racial Diversity; Gender & Sexuality; Ability, Mental Health & Neurodiversity; Dietary Restrictions & Medical Needs.
Financial Access
We believe every young person should have access to the outdoors without financial barriers. Thanks to the support of generous community partners, camp families, and other donors, our programs are accessible through scholarships and free or reduced-price programs (Learn more about making a donation here).
- Full and partial-scholarships are available for camp through a short application process.
- Afterschool programs are provided at no cost to our partner schools and include opportunities for participants to attend school-break camps, partner overnights, and summer camp for free.
- PreK-12 environmental education field trips offer financial aid (based on free and reduced lunch rates) to partner schools.
Racial Diversity
We recognize that outdoor spaces, including camps, are not always safe and welcoming places to Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). You can read more about that history here. We believe and know that Black Lives Matter, and we work to create outdoor spaces where BIPOC communities feel safe and affirmed. Here are some ways we’re working towards racial diversity, inclusion, and equity:
- Staff attend diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings that address race and ethnicity and are expected to create a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, particularly BIPOC participants.
- We aim to hire a diverse staff, both locally and internationally. We also know we have room to grow in this area and are working with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant to improve our hiring, outreach, and retention processes.
- We actively seek to partner with local BIPOC-led organizations to provide BIPOC youth with opportunities to access the outdoors and participate in outdoor programming.
- We acknowledge that we have a history of cultural appropriation. We are working alongside the national Camp Fire office to begin repairing the harm caused to Indigenous communities. One of the ways we are approaching this work is by building and sustaining partnerships with Indigenous organizations rooted in resource sharing and access to our property. Find out more about this work here, and please consider supporting our partners MIGIZI and Division of Indian Work.
- We recognize Juneteenth in our programs and among our staff team.
- Our programs focus on centering each young person’s individual experiences. Program materials and participation waivers are offered in multiple languages. During on-site programs, we strive to accommodate campers’ needs by providing a space for meditation or prayer. We provide alternatives to pork and pork by-products whenever serving snacks and meals to campers.
- We are committed to ongoing reflection, evaluation, and improvement of our policies and practices related to racial equity, and we will provide regular updates to stakeholders about progress made in this area.
Gender & Sexuality
We welcome and affirm Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual, Intersex, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) participants and staff. While our program is focused on young people finding their spark in the outdoors, our staff are trained to navigate age-appropriate conversations and questions as they arise. Here are some of the practical ways we support LGBTQIA2S+ campers:
All Programs:
- Participants, staff, and volunteers can share their pronouns during group introductions. Pronouns are how we refer to each other when we do not use a name – examples include: she/her, they/them, he/him, etc. Participants, staff, and volunteers have the right to use the name and pronouns that are consistent with their gender identity. Staff wear nametags displaying their pronouns, and we encourage others to respect those pronouns.
- Participants have the option to disclose their gender identity and sexual orientation on a confidential basis, and this information will be used only for the purpose of ensuring their comfort and safety at camp. Staff will not disclose a participant’s or another staff member’s gender identity or sexual orientation to others without their consent.
- Our property has both single and all-gender restrooms. All-gender restrooms are open to anyone and have private, fully enclosed, locking stalls.
- Staff receive training on LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion and allyship and are expected to create a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.
- Discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic will not be tolerated, and any incidents should be reported to staff immediately.
Summer Camp:
- During summer overnight camps, caregivers may select cabin options for their camper which include boy, girl, and all-gender cabin options. Campers will always be assigned a cabin based on caregiver selection. Find out more here.
- Trans and non-binary campers and staff may select housing based on their gender identity and preferred cabin.
Ability, Mental Health, and Neurodiversity
We aim to provide support and eliminate barriers that may impact a camper’s ability to participate fully. Here are some things we do to support campers of varying abilities and neurotypes:
All Programs:
- Our staff receives additional training in Youth Mental Health First Aid and many have a background in supporting young people with mental, emotional and social health challenges, ADHD, and autism.
- Our Community & Dining Center features acoustic paneling to dampen noise and a porch with sensory-safe seating during meals.
- When programming with students, we offer a space with fidgets and noise-canceling headphones so students can take a break from their group and rest in a quiet environment, supervised by their school staff.
Summer Camp:
- We do require that campers are able to consistently stay with their group, follow our behavior guidelines, and use the restroom, shower (summer camp), and dress themselves without help from our staff. If you have questions about accommodations, please reach out to us at info@campfiremn.org.
- Summer camp programs employ three Camper Care staff. These staff receive additional training in Youth Mental Health First Aid and have a background in supporting campers with mental, emotional and social health challenges, campers with ADHD, and autistic campers.
- Our health team will reach out to families before camp to create support plans, as well as support any camper who encounters challenges during camp.
- Campers & participants are welcome to come with a Personal Care Assistant. Our staff cannot offer all-day 1:1 support to campers or participants.
School Programs:
- Field trip students are welcome to come with a school nurse who will remain in their group at all times.
Dietary Restrictions and Medical Needs
We offer specific accommodations to support students’ medical and dietary needs while they are programming with us. Here are some things we offer:
All Programs:
- We can accommodate meals for campers with the following dietary restrictions: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, pork-free, and dairy/lactose-free. We cannot guarantee no cross-contamination for severe allergies such as lactose and celiac disease. Please reach out prior to your program to discuss options.
- We are a nut-free campus, so we ask students and staff to bring a nut-free lunch and snacks.
- Our health office has a refrigerator specifically for refrigerated medications.
- Caregivers are responsible for communicating and updating important dietary restrictions and medical needs to staff.
Summer Camp:
- If we cannot accommodate your camper’s specific dietary needs during overnight camp, we can accommodate campers who bring their own meals to camp. We can send families a meal schedule ahead of time so that they can send meals that are close to the planned menu, if desired.
- Our trained health staff distribute medication to campers throughout their time at summer camp. Please consult our camp resources page for more information on bringing medication to camp. We welcome campers with diabetes and are trained to administer injection medication safely.
- Camp staff are trained in administering emergency medication, including Epi-Pens, Auvi-Qs, and inhalers.
School Programs:
- For Field Trips, we do not provide meals or beverages on-site; students will only eat the meals approved by their school and parents/guardians.
Stories of Belonging
When young people feel included at camp, they are inspired to make others feel included, too. Watch one of our recent videos to hear from a former Counselor in Training (CIT), who wants to help future campers feel seen and celebrated.
Resources for Youth and Families
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All-Gender Cabins
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