AN OLD BLUE BIRD

I have spent the past month creating a childhood scrapbook for my 30-year-old daughter.

It was quite a memory trip for me. When I got to the part where she was in Camp Fire, I really got sentimental and reflected on my own life and the years I spent in the Camp Fire Girls program. (Yes, it was a long time ago, because now boys can join!)

In September of 1961 and in 2nd grade I made the decision that I wanted to be a Blue Bird. I made this decision solely on the fact that I liked the uniform for Blue Birds better than I liked the one for Brownies. Blue was my favorite color.

My mother was the leader of our group for that first year and we met in our basement once a week.  Barbara Swanson, the Mom of Christy, one of the other girls helped out with the group.

Our dues were 10 cents a week. We made cute little Blue Bird coin purses out of felt to bring our money in each week.

Our little group was called “The Happy Blue Birds”!

We learned this little verse. I still remember standing in a circle, crossing our arms in front of us and clasping hands with all the girls in the circle!

The Blue Bird Wish

To have fun.                                                        To learn to make things.                                    To remember to finish what I begin.                To keep my temper most of the time.               To learn about nature and living outdoors.     To have adventures with people, places and things.                                                                 To make friends!

 

The second year (3rd grade) our leader was Mrs. Hartung. Debbie Hartung was one of the girls in the group.

In September 1963, we attended “Fly Up” which meant we were now Camp Fire Girls.

The 3rd and 4th years my leaders were Velma Hiatt and Helen Replinger. Both of their daughters, Debbie Hiatt and Melinda Replinger, were in the group.

This was our Camp Fire Song:

Worship God. Seek beauty Give Service and knowledge pursue. Be trustworthy ever in all that you do. Hold fast on to health and your work glorify. And you will be happy in the Law of Camp Fire!

I still have my vest. We earned Honor beads and sewed them onto our vests. We also created an Indian name. Mine was Kin-Ca-Ko-Ya . It means “Happy girl who likes to fish and hopes to be a nurse!”

 

 

This is the symbolgram for my new Camp Fire name! Wow! So many memories. Sure did have a great time in Camp Fire!