Today's Kids
Tomorrow's Leaders
Tomorrow's Leaders
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About Us
Camp Fire USA provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. Camp Fire USA, with national headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the nation's leading not-for-profit youth development organizations. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire's outcome-based programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and child care.
Serving youth from birth to 21, Camp Fire USA helps boys and girls learn - and play - side by side in comfortable, informal settings. Our coed programs allow parents to consolidate schedules for both their daughters and sons.
As the first nonsectarian, interracial organization for girls in the United States, Camp Fire USA takes pride in its long-standing commitment to providing fun programs and services to all children and families in America. We are inclusive, open to every person in the communities we serve, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity. Camp Fire's programs are designed and implemented to reduce sex-role, racial and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships. Camp Fire USA's mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders.
Meet our Board of Directors:
Rotating off the Board for 2012, after having served the maximum six consecutive years allowed in our by-laws:
Mary L. Taylor
Rhetoric Faculty at Coe College
Mary is also a Hitaga Alumna. From 2010-2011 she served as Secretary, chaired the "Together We Build" campaign and did so much more during our transition between treasurers and from volunteer to professional leadership.
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Karen Dunlap - President Owner of Dunlap International Based in Central City, Karen is a Hitaga alumna and former Club Leader. During 2011, Karen served as 1st Vice President and on the "Together We Build" committee.    |
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Sherry Brustkern - Vice President Contract Administrator at Alliant Energy During 2011, Sherry served as 2nd Vice President and chaired the Camp Program Committee    |
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Christine Hallier - Treasurer OP SP Manager for Schenker Logistics This is Chris' second year as Treasurer. She is also the mother of current campers, and a great event volunteer.    |
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Valerie Smith - Secretary Now based in Dearborn, Michigan, Valerie is a Hitaga and Horizon Club alumna. During 2011 she served as Newsletter Editor, Technology Committee Chair and on the "Together We Build" Committee.    |
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Lee Hanson - Nominating Committee CACP Director at Alliant Energy Lee served as Council President during 2010-2011.    |
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Erica Devine - Club Program Committee Now living in Iowa City, Erica works at HyVee Deli and has been an active Club Leader, recruiting other Leaders as well.    |
| Bruce King VP & General Manager, Rockwell Collins  |
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| David Maresh President, Maresh Sheet Metal Works Dave is a veteran volunteer, having given many years of valuable service on our Site and Facilities Committee.  |
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Linda Lynch Legal Assistant, Crawford Sullivan Linda is a Camp Fire and Camp Hitaga alumna who enjoys helping out at camp events.  |
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Chuck Hallier Environmental Director with Cargill  |
| Joining the Board as new members during 2012: | |
| Nina Brawner Human Resource Team Leader International paper, Cedar River Mill Nina has also served as Human Resource Coordinator for LeaseAmerica in Cedar Rapids. Her daughters participated in Camp Fire and hold fond memories of Camp Hitaga. |
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| Jordan Grimm Continuous Improvement Specialist Van Meter, Inc. / Werner Electric An economics graduate of Luther College, Jordan has focused on lean management and project management. He has published on "Engaging College Men: Discovering What Works and Why" and has served as a counselor at Four Oaks The Bridge. |
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| Melissa Kiliper-Ernst Community Volunteer Melissa is a past President Board member of the Cedar Rapids Board of Education, Linn County Community Empowerment, Cedar Rapids PTA and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. She holds a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa and has worked as a Financial Analyst at Rockwell Collins. |
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| Anne Slone Attorney Anne is a 2010 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law where she took a special interest in nonprofit law and studied organizational effectiveness. She is also passionate about educational and childhood development issues, she has served as a camp counselor and taught kindergarten in a home for underprivileged girls in Honduras. |
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Rotating off the Board for 2012, after having served the maximum six consecutive years allowed in our by-laws:
Mary L. Taylor Rhetoric Faculty at Coe College
Mary is also a Hitaga Alumna. From 2010-2011 she served as Secretary, chaired the "Together We Build" campaign and did so much more during our transition between treasurers and from volunteer to professional leadership.
Meet our Staff and Volunteers:
Amy Russell Geiger - Executive Director
Since June 2011
Suz Welch - Camp Director (2009 - 2011)
Emma "BP" Hartley - Program Assistant
Emma also comes to us from Camp Hantesa. She is a Hitaga counselor (Camp Name "BP") specializing in our Horse program. During the school-year she is the smiling voice you hear when you call the Camp Fire Service Center, and helps ensure that all the council programs are well-planned and marketed.
Curtis Baily - Camp Caretaker
Curtis became familiar with Camp Hitaga when his father, Ed, became our Caretaker in 2002. Curtis has since moved into that role himself. He's the one behind the scenes keeping the pool sparkling clean, the grass mowed, the trails cleared after big storms, the water flowing from our well, the electricity on, the lane plowed in winter - and more!
Many many wonderful volunteers help us in many ways. These have recently spent the most time on Council-wide projects.
Meet our Club Leaders on the "Camp Fire Clubs" page, the "Toghether We Build" Ad Hoc Committee on the Alumni page, and our 2011 Camp staff and volunteers on the Camp Hitaga web site.
Marian Zupke - Institutional Memory
Marian retired from years of service as our volunteer CEO in December 2010. She has also been instrumental in the upgrades to the buildings at Camp Hitaga over the past two decades, steps in to cook for Work Days and other programs, and anything else that has needed doing, she has done it!
Doug Minney - Webmaster
and Technology Committee Member
Alexis "Gusher" Starr
Alexis was a Hitaga Camper and Counselor (Camp Name "Gusher") during the 2000s.
She is now a dynamic program volunteer -- especially during Halloween Trails and its spring spin-off, "Eggs, Bunnies & Chocolate, oh My!" She serves on the Camp Program Committee, is Co-Leader of her son's "Little Stars" Club, and is a Dental Hygiene student at Kirkwood.
Amy Russell Geiger - Executive DirectorSince June 2011
Amy's Camp Fire experience includes not only years as a camper and counselor at Camp Hitaga and as a Camp Fire club member in the Iowana Council, but also five years on the staff of Camp Fire USA Northern Colorado Council, three of them as Executive Director.
From 1992 to 2011, Amy designed and implemented development programs for several Cedar Rapids nonprofits, including Alternative Services, the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation. We are very lucky to have an Executive Director of Amy’s caliber.
Nancy Olinger
Program Development Director
Starting January 2012
Nancy's years of experience with youth-related and volunteer programming and marketing will serve as just the right background for her role in helping to increase the awareness of and participation in Camp Fire programs.
Nancy most recently served as Volunteer Coordinator at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She has also served as Community Programs Specialist with the C.R. Public Library. Additional experiences include co-founding a youth mentoring program, developing after-school programs for at-risk youth, designing a variety of marketing materials and forming over 100 partnerships.
Nancy OlingerProgram Development Director
Starting January 2012
Nancy's years of experience with youth-related and volunteer programming and marketing will serve as just the right background for her role in helping to increase the awareness of and participation in Camp Fire programs.
Nancy most recently served as Volunteer Coordinator at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She has also served as Community Programs Specialist with the C.R. Public Library. Additional experiences include co-founding a youth mentoring program, developing after-school programs for at-risk youth, designing a variety of marketing materials and forming over 100 partnerships.
Suz Welch - Camp Director (2009 - 2011) Suz came to Camp Hitaga and the Iowana Council in 2009, to help coordinate hosting flood relief workers at camp even during the summer resident camp season. She is a life-long Camp Fire member and career Camp Director from Camp Hantesa, near Boone, IA. Her efforts have given Hitaga positive momentum in both program and facilities development.
Suz continues to advise the Camp Program Committee and is serving on the search committee to select a full-time, year-round Camp Director for Camp Hitaga.
Suz continues to advise the Camp Program Committee and is serving on the search committee to select a full-time, year-round Camp Director for Camp Hitaga.
Emma "BP" Hartley - Program AssistantEmma also comes to us from Camp Hantesa. She is a Hitaga counselor (Camp Name "BP") specializing in our Horse program. During the school-year she is the smiling voice you hear when you call the Camp Fire Service Center, and helps ensure that all the council programs are well-planned and marketed.
Curtis Baily - Camp CaretakerCurtis became familiar with Camp Hitaga when his father, Ed, became our Caretaker in 2002. Curtis has since moved into that role himself. He's the one behind the scenes keeping the pool sparkling clean, the grass mowed, the trails cleared after big storms, the water flowing from our well, the electricity on, the lane plowed in winter - and more!
Many many wonderful volunteers help us in many ways. These have recently spent the most time on Council-wide projects.
Meet our Club Leaders on the "Camp Fire Clubs" page, the "Toghether We Build" Ad Hoc Committee on the Alumni page, and our 2011 Camp staff and volunteers on the Camp Hitaga web site.
Marian Zupke - Institutional Memory Marian retired from years of service as our volunteer CEO in December 2010. She has also been instrumental in the upgrades to the buildings at Camp Hitaga over the past two decades, steps in to cook for Work Days and other programs, and anything else that has needed doing, she has done it!
Doug Minney - Webmaster and Technology Committee Member
Alexis "Gusher" Starr Alexis was a Hitaga Camper and Counselor (Camp Name "Gusher") during the 2000s.
She is now a dynamic program volunteer -- especially during Halloween Trails and its spring spin-off, "Eggs, Bunnies & Chocolate, oh My!" She serves on the Camp Program Committee, is Co-Leader of her son's "Little Stars" Club, and is a Dental Hygiene student at Kirkwood.
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Camp Fire USA Iowana Council
Service Center: Mon Tue Thu 8:30-4:30 Fri 8:30-3:30 Camp Fire USA Iowana Council 6300 Rockwell Dr NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Phone: (319) 294-2411 Fax: (319) 294-2413 Email: info@IowanaCampFire.org |
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As a not-for-profit service organization,
we very much appreciate the support of our alumni, friends, and community members who understand the value of our programs. To donate via PayPal, click the button below. For other giving options, visit our "Together We Build" campaign website |
