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Campfire USA Centennial Luncheon at Green Pastures
The American child spends an average of only seven minutes a day outdoors. Or so I learned during the Campfire USA Centennial Luncheon at Green Pastures on Tuesday. Incredible, isn’t it? Even if the research numbers are off, the message is clear. Parents no longer repeat at regular intervals the ancient admonition: “Go outside and play.”
Gerry Tucker and Allen Ambuhl
Before Tuesday, all I knew about Campfire was the infectious song from my youth: “Sing around the campfire/Join the campfire girls.” In 1975, the organization, founded in 1910, admitted boys and mixed the ages. Now boys make up almost half the members.
And unlike some similar outdoors/leadership/achievement groups, its national charter specifically promotes broad social inclusion. About 1,000 young people are served by the Austin-area Campfire group at any given time.
Sabine Foster and Annette Cooper
The luncheon was set in the genteel Green Pastures banquet room, ideal for such parties. A few guests were seated outside the main room. Leaders compressed the speeches, testimonials and video admirably. The meal was healthy (I could have eaten a dozen of those old-fashioned rolls, though, and I skipped the inevitable cupcake), and the company cheery.
Mary Margaret Farabee and Elizabeth Gray
A novel item: A practiced TV interviewer asked questions of various previously selected participants, which was ever so much more spontaneous and gratifying than stilted speeches. Thanks to Campfire leader Elizabeth Gray for graciously inviting me to join this 100-year salute.
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