LYNN — Camp Fire North Shore is celebrating 75 years of service to the community this year.
And this September, the organization, which is located on the Salem/Lynn line, held a alumni gala which demonstrated its impact, more than 80 alumni young and old came out to enjoy themselves.
“We started as a club, similar to Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts,” Chief Executive Officer Laurie Hamill said. “And fast forward a little bit, that model has changed a little bit, whereas we have become one of the top leaders in the community for out-of-school programming.”
Hamill reflected on some of the organization’s recent accomplishments including the fourth grant it recently received from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
She said another accomplishment the organization is proud of is its partnership with the United Way and the public school district to operate 21st century learning centers in Washington Elementary School and Ford Elementary School, which use a community school model.
Hamill said using this model, funding that is provided through DESE allows students to attend the organization’s programs at no cost.
“So that’s a huge success to be able to bring that model and that funding to the Lynn Public Schools and the community,” she added.
Hamill also noted that in March, the organization completed a merger with Cairn Hill Nature preschool at its summer camp location on Fays Avenue.
“It’s been a great asset,” she said. “We are now able to serve children (two years and nine months) through high school.”
Reflecting on the organization’s mission and some of its challenges to bring programming throughout the pandemic, Hamill said Camp Fire is hoping to continue to grow and expand its partnerships even more than it already has.
She said the organization used to not be as well known when she first started 11 years ago, but over time the organization has begun to work more collaboratively with the Lynn Education District.
Hamill added there is a strong collaboration between agencies that serve students “from cradle to high school” among the Lynn Education District and she is proud that the organization is able to lead among those organizations.
Hamill said another one of its priorities moving forward is expanding programming for students with disabilities and there is currently expertise on the leadership team working to make this happen.
“We work really hard to provide safe, inclusive, high quality programming for children,” Hamill said.
