Though not officially incorporated until 1912, the Camp Fire Girls (later Camp Fire, Inc.) first began in 1910 under the direction of Dr. Luther Gulick and Mrs. Charlotte Gulick of New York. The organization aimed to provide girls with the same opportunity as boys to participate in outdoor activities and community service.
The first official Camp Fire Girls group did not appear in Indianapolis until 1913 when Irvington resident Eleanor Putnam formed the Chanktunoogi group at the Downey Avenue Christian Church. The group only lasted three years before disbanding. A new Camp Fire Girls group was formed in 1919 at School No. 70, and the national organization granted Central Indiana Council of Camp Fire, Inc. its first charter on January 5, 1923.
The campgrounds for the group moved several times until the mid-1930s. It was located in areas around Central Indiana such as Bethany Park in Brooklyn and McCormick’s Creek Canyon in Spencer. The first permanent camp, Camp Delight, was established in 1936 in Hamilton County near 116th Street. It remained in operation until 1959. With permission from Indiana University, a new camp, Camp Towaki, was formed in 1962 on the university’s land in Bradford Woods near Bloomington.
Nationally, Camp Fire Girls became the first girl’s organization in the United States to be inclusive of race, religion, and culture. In 1975, the group also became inclusive of gender, allowing boys and changing its name to Camp Fire Inc.
By 1988, the Central Indiana council dissolved due to financial issues and declining membership. Throughout the next two decades, many other Indiana Camp Fire councils dissolved as well, including the Rock River Council of Crawfordsville which had taken over serving the Indianapolis area. By the early 2000s, Camp Fire River Bend was the only council left in Indiana. Headquartered in Mishawaka, in the northern part of the state, it remains in operation.
By 1988, the Central Indiana council dissolved due to financial issues and declining membership. Throughout the next two decades, many other Indiana Camp Fire councils dissolved as well, including the Rock River Council of Crawfordsville which had taken over serving the Indianapolis area. By the early 2000s, Camp Fire River Bend was the only council left in Indiana. Headquartered in Mishawaka, in the northern part of the state, it remains in operation.
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