Join Our First Youth Board!
We’re launching our first-ever Youth Board program, and we want you to be part of it! This is an exciting opportunity for young adults (ages 18–21) to join our Board of Directors, share your perspective, and see how decisions are made behind the scenes. Your voice will help shape the future of Camp Fire Minnesota.
No prior board experience needed—we’ll teach you everything from how meetings run to how budgets and programs take shape. Youth Board Members serve a one-year term, attend quarterly meetings, and join youth-specific trainings and community-building activities (about 18–24 hours total per year).
Applications have been extended through January 4, 2026, at 5 PM CST.
For questions about our Youth Board application or program, please contact Rio Pérez at riop@campfiremn.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I join the youth board?
At Camp Fire Minnesota, we are dedicated to supporting young peoples’ goals and visions for the future. Through this program, youth board members will:
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- Grow as leaders by participating in decision-making opportunities that impact Camp Fire Minnesota programs.
- Build professional skills by gaining hands-on experience within a nonprofit governing body and increasing their knowledge of how Camp Fire Minnesota operates.
- Strengthen their network through meaningful connections with board members, including community leaders, educators, and representatives of Fortune 500 companies.
- Make an impact on the Camp Fire Minnesota communities through your unique knowledge, skills, and youth-centered perspective.
What makes a strong candidate for the youth board? Do I need prior experience?
No previous board experience is necessary to join our Board. We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
- A passion for and understanding of the Camp Fire Minnesota communities, preferably based on experience.
- A deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- An investment in growing as a leader through close mentorship, learning opportunities, and engagement with other youth board participants.
Because this is the first time welcoming youth to the board, your voice and feedback will be essential. We’re looking for leaders who are excited to share honest input about what’s working well and what could be improved. This is a unique opportunity to co-create a new leadership experience at Camp Fire Minnesota and help shape how future youth leaders engage with our Board.
Will youth board members receive compensation?
Youth board members will receive a $1,000 annual stipend to help make participation accessible. The first half of this stipend will be provided at the beginning, and the second half will be provided upon completion of the program, as long as the youth board member meets the expectations for the program.
During onboarding, youth board members will be trained on the participation requirements necessary to receive their full stipend. Accommodations will be available upon request. We want to set you up for success!
How will youth board members be supported?
Youth board members will be supported by Camp Fire Minnesota staff, as well as mentors who currently serve on the board.
In between board meetings, youth board members will gather with Camp Fire Minnesota staff to build community, get to know each other, and participate in workshops to better understand (or reimagine) how the Board operates.
We recognize that 18 to 21-year-olds balance many responsibilities, such as work, school, and family care. With that in mind, we are exploring ways to reduce barriers such as transportation and scheduling. We encourage interested applicants to inform us on their needs so that we can best support them.
How is this different from other youth leadership programs at Camp Fire Minnesota?
Camp Fire Minnesota currently offers multiple youth leadership development opportunities, including summer leadership programs, the Youth Advisory Council, and the Afterschool Leadership Council.
Unlike these offerings, our youth board program is not focused on one specific program (e.g., Summer Camp or Afterschool Explorers), but rather the organization as a whole.
Youth board members have the unique opportunity to engage in decision-making and leadership at Camp Fire Minnesota alongside our current board members.
Our hope is for this program to engage young adults who have a continued desire to make an impact within the Camp Fire Minnesota communities.