Our History
Camp Fire has helped young people grow through connection, belonging, and opportunity. In Inland Southern California, that story has been shaped by generations of children, families, staff, and community partners.
Where It Began
Founded in 1910
Camp Fire began in 1910 as one of the first youth development organizations in the United States. Its purpose was to give young people opportunities to grow in confidence, leadership, and character through hands-on experiences, community, and the outdoors.
That story took root locally in 1919, when Phoebe Sheldon started the first Camp Fire group in the Pomona area. What began as a small local effort grew steadily, and in 1927 the organization was formally established as a local council serving the region.
Milestones
Growing with Our Community
Over the decades, Camp Fire Inland Southern California grew alongside the communities it serves. Programs evolved from small local groups into a broader network of youth opportunities that included outdoor experiences, leadership development, and community-based programming.
Camping and outdoor learning played an important role in the organization’s early years, including the development of Camp Nawakwa, which was built through community fundraising and volunteer effort in the late 1940s.
As the region changed, Camp Fire changed with it. New programs, new partnerships, and new communities helped shape the organization into what it is today: a trusted provider of meaningful youth experiences that support learning, belonging, and growth.
Leadership and Continuity
Strong leadership has helped Camp Fire Inland Southern California stay grounded while continuing to evolve.
In 1999, Sandra Rutherford was selected as Executive Director and continues to lead the organization today. Under her leadership, Camp Fire Inland Southern California has expanded school partnerships, adapted to changing community needs, and continued its commitment to helping young people connect to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves.
Where We Are Today
Today, Camp Fire Inland Southern California provides before-school, after-school, summer, and enrichment programs serving over 1,000 children annually across the region.
While much has changed since the early years, the heart of the work remains the same: creating safe, supportive spaces where young people can learn, build confidence, develop relationships, and grow.
Then and Now
For more than a century, Camp Fire has continued to evolve while staying rooted in the belief that every young person deserves connection, support, and opportunity.
Be Part of the Story
Camp Fire Inland Southern California’s history continues to be written every day through the children, families, staff, and supporters who make this work possible.
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