Camp Fire Girls Collection

Camp Fire USA was founded by Luther Halsey Gulick, M.D. and his wife, Charlotte Gulick in 1910. The organization was formed, in part, as a response to the Boy Scouts and the lack of a similar group for girls at that time. The Gulicks also established Camp WoHeLo (Work, Health, Love) as a camp for girls in South Casco, Maine, and the group formally became the Camp Fire Girls in 1912. That same year, Camp Fire Girls of America would be formally recognized as a national agency in Washington, D.C. The focus of the organization was camping, outdoor activity, and community service. Another influence of the Camp Fire Organization was Native American culture, as seen in the camp names, ceremonies, and badge symbols. Camp Fire USA was originally a girls' organization, but it eventually grew to include boys in 1975.

The Beaumont Council of Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1938, but did not have a local camp until 1952. Prior to this, the local camp fire girls camped with the Port Arthur group at Camp Waluta. In 1951, the council finally purchased land to build their camp due to the efforts of Mr. Haskell Porter. Construction began in 1951, and the camp opened for its first season in 1952, though there was limited space. The camp’s name was chosen through submitted names from local camp fire girls. The name “Niwana” was eventually chosen, meaning misty lakes among the trees and hills.