REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Get ready to spark new ideas and connect with fellow camp pros at the 2025 Y Campfire Conference! This year, we’re gathering at YMCA Camp Thunderbird from January 26-29 to dive into the latest in youth development, leadership, and outdoor programming.
Whether you’re a camp veteran or new to the field, the Y Campfire Conference offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and recharge with the Y camp community.
Come join us for hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and pre-conference certifications, including Youth Mental Health First Aid, ACA New Director Training, and YUSA Dimensions of Diversity. It’s a chance to grow your skills, swap ideas with passionate people, and head back to camp with fresh perspectives and practical tools to strengthen your programs.
DATE AND LOCATION
Sunday, January 26 - Wednesday, January 29
Beginning on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Concluding on Wednesday at 10:45 a.m.
YMCA Camp Thunderbird
1 Thunderbird Lane
Lake Wylile, SC 29710
The YMCA Campfire Conference is happy to support scholarships for selected applicants who otherwise could not attend without financial support. The 2025 conference will be held on January 26-29, 2025.
Once approved you will receive a promo code for your scholarship amount. One person may submit an application for an entire staff team and serve as the point person. Please list details below.
Please send questions to info@ycampfire.org. Application deadline: December 20, 2024. Recipients will be notified on a rolling basis as applications are submitted. Click this link to fill out the Scholarship Application Form
Future Leaders!
REQUIREMENTS
1. Be a current part time or seasonal YMCA staff 25 years or younger
3. Have an interest in pursuing a career in YMCA Camping.
4. Obtain a letter of recommendation from a current YMCA Day or Resident camp professional.
5. Complete the Scholarship Application by Jan 10th 2024
LENGTH OF STAY AND COST
Participants must be able to attend the entire length of the conference. There is a discounted rate of $150 for Future Leaders. If your application is accepted, please register by Jan 2025. Please submit all required paperwork at the same time.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
The Future Leaders Scholarship Program is designed to assist camps in investing in the future leaders. Every camp has student age staff that work at camp each summer who seeks opportunities for leadership and who have a desire to understand the ins and outs of how camp works. They are an essential part of the team and have potential for a career in camping.
Being accepted to receive a scholarship through this program will allow camps to provide their young leaders with career development, networking opportunities and support through exposure to industry experts.
During the conference Future Leader participants will be able to attend conference events, be paired with a mentor, meet with executive leadership during a lunch period, assist the committee with operational needs, and be recognized to the conferees.
Once accepted the committee will send further communication on details and how to prepare and participate effectively for Campfire 2025!
Meet the Team
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Sunny Brown
First Boss: Sunny Brown
Sunny Brown is an educator, youth program specialist, and advocate with over 15 years of experience leading transformational workshops. A Teach for America Corps Member and Fellow, nonprofit trainer, pastor, and educator she excels in fostering connection, building leaders, and promoting impactful change. By day, she serves as a middle school social studies teacher in Atlanta. At night she moonlights as an adjunct History professor. Her motto: “Identify the genius” has rejuvenated teams and students of all ages to succeed.
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Chuck Steinfurth
Second Boss: Chuck Steinfurth
Chuck Steinfurth currently serves as the Vice President of Out of School Time at the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. His Y career began over 24 years ago as an afterschool counselor and since then he has held various roles at the YMCA of Greater Erie, the YMCA of Central Florida, and the South Carolina Alliance of YMCAs. He has presented and lead trainings at over two dozen YMCA Associations, previously been the Chair of both the Campfire Conference and Youth Development Summit held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. He has also served as a YPN Peer Community Leader, YUSA Service Delivery Partner, and multiple YUSA Thought Leader Cohorts. Chuck has obtained his Organizational Leadership Certificate with YUSA, Youth Mental Health First Aid and Praesidium Guardian certified.
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Jason Smith
Final Boss: Jason Smith
Originally planning to be an architect, Jason’s interest was instead captured by the intentional design of overnight camps. Not the pathways and buildings, but the experience - an experience that creates boundless personal growth through the interplay of social interaction, independence, play, and the outdoors. Through his over 20 year career as a camp director, Jason has settled on one deeply held conviction - that camping is a beacon of illuminating hope for the modern world.
Contact Us and Follow on Social Media
Our committee is dedicated to serving you beyond the action-packed days at Blue Ridge, so please continue to reach out, check our for updates, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for ongoing updates and helpful camping resources in the future. You can email us at info@ycampfire.org with any questions. Check us out on Instagram and Facebook for year-round updates. We'll have everything from cool camp ideas, to updates around our camping community, and information about upcoming speakers!
2024 Vendors
