2019: A Year In Review
As many reflect on the past year and start counting the minutes to 2020, we’re doing a countdown of our own: our top 12 moments from 2019.
Thanks to supporters like you, Camp Fire Minnesota expanded programs to new communities, saw record-breaking summer camp and event attendance, and successfully completed Phase 2 of our Capital Campaign to build a new Community & Dining Center at Tanadoona.
12. We launched Tanadoona community events like Family Archery, Wildflower Hikes, and Outdoor Play Days.
11. We saw a record-breaking attendance at Tanadoona summer camp.
10. Our Pollinator Garden at Tanadoona turned 1. In 2018, as part of a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PwC volunteers and students from Integrated Arts Academy planted over 40 species of plants and flowers. This year, we were able to see in it in (almost) full bloom!
9. With the help of our Real Estate Committee, we launched Coffee with Camp Fire, a fundraising and networking event for members of the Minnesota real estate community, supporting Camp Fire Minnesota.
8. The Minnesota Camp Fire Foundation launched a new partnership with St. Paul & Minnesota Foundations to expand planned giving opportunities for Camp Fire supporters.
7. Our Out-of-School Time program expanded to 5 new schools, providing nature-based after school programming.
6. As part of a partnership with Urban Roots’ Cook Fresh program, youth in our Out-of-School Time program made healthy (and delicious!) meals together using locally grown ingredients.
5. After seeing a need for hands-on, nature-based classes in schools, we launched In-Class Environmental Education programs at the beginning of 2019, serving 801 students.
4. Over 300 guests made 2019 a record-breaking year for Light the Way attendance.
3. As part of a grant from RBC to integrate water quality curriculum into our programs, Out-of-School Time youth and volunteers partnered with Metro Blooms to help install rain water gardens at Tanadoona and Riverside Commons, a partner housing site.
2. Nearly 200 supporters raised $5 million to build a new Community & Dining Center at Tanadoona. Construction began in September and will be ready just in time for summer camp!
1. In 2019, 96% of Camp Fire youth said they want to take care of nature and planet earth.