WoHeLo Award

WoHeLo is Camp Fire USA's traditional watchword that has been used to greet and send off fellow Camp Fire members and others involved in the program since Camp Fire's inception in 1910. Charlotte Gulick, one of the founders of Camp Fire, decided early in Camp Fire's history that Indian lore and ceremonial practices would be implemented throughout all aspects of the program. The first camp that used Camp Fire programming was named WoHeLo, for the words Work, Health, and Love. Ms. Gulick believed that work was the foundation for service to humanity and the real joy of living. Further, she believed that health was fundamental to one's well-being, and that love was the highest law.

During the 1950's the WoHeLo Award was created to recognize the highest achievement for a Camp Fire member. The award is an intensive, individualized program designed personally by the WoHeLo candidate and has three major components. The first component requires that candidates complete four "Reflections" that demonstrate a commitment to Camp Fire USA and choose three topics of interest about which to develop service/advocacy programs. The second component requires that the candidates learn about the history of Camp Fire in their community and about their council. Finally, as part of the advocacy portion of the WoHeLo program, the member must address 4 action areas in conjunction with their project/advocacy topics. They must: (1) lead by taking a leadership role in Camp Fire as well as for their issues of choice, (2) teach by teaching others about one of their chosen issues, (3) serve by serving in a way beneficial to Camp Fire and their chosen advocacy issues, and (4) speak out by taking public action on behalf of Camp Fire and their chosen issues.

Each year approximately 200 of Camp Fire's youth members receive this prestigious recognition.

For more information about the WoHeLo award and requirements contact Susan Williams at susanw@campfireusa-ok.org.