Camp Fire Club

Not to be confused with Camp Fire (organization).
Camp Fire Club of America
Formation1897; 127 years ago (1897)
PurposeWildlife conservation and member recreation.
Location
Coordinates41°10′04″N 73°48′36″W / 41.167858814749835°N 73.80996945767103°W / 41.167858814749835; -73.80996945767103
Websitewww.campfirefund.org

The Camp-Fire Club of America was organized in 1897[1] to bring together hunters, anglers, explorers, naturalists, artists and individuals who subscribe to the principles of adventure and fellowship in the great outdoors, and to further the interests of sports afield and wildlife conservation. Field & Stream magazine originated as the official newsletter of the Camp-Fire Club of America.[2] The organization's primary focus is upon conservation and the practice and continuation of outdoor skills, as well as providing recreational opportunities for its members.[3]

The organization also functions as a conservation and environmental group, with a focus upon the preservation of the natural environment, habitat, forests and wildlife preservation[4][5] through the Camp Fire Conservation Fund.[6] Camp-Fire Club was instrumental in many of the biggest environmental efforts of the 19th and 20th centuries including: launching the American Bison Society and saving the American Bison in 1905,[7] passing the Fur Seal Preservation Act in 1909,[7] the founding of Glacier National Park in 1910,[7] the passing of the Plumage Bill in 1910,[7] the passing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918, creating the U.S. National Park System's Operating Standards in 1923,[8] passing the Federal Duck Stamp Act in 1929, and helping to protect Florida's Key Deer population in the early 1950s. Camp-Fire was also instrumental in getting New York State to outlaw the indiscriminate use of DDT and other pesticides in the 1960s in New York State. Camp-Fire Club continues to support conservation through a variety of efforts nationwide and globally.

Camp-Fire Club has had some notable members including:

The club has had strong membership connections and close ties with many organizations over its history including the American Museum of Natural History, the Boy Scouts of America, the Bronx Zoo, The Adirondack League Club, and the Explorers Club.

  1. ^ Hall, K. (2000). A Nation of States: Federalism at the Bar of the Supreme Court. A Garland series. Garland Pub. p. 402. ISBN 978-0-8153-3429-3. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  2. ^ Petzal, David (June 2004). "The Test of an Outdoorsman". Field & Stream. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  3. ^ Petzel, David E. (June 2004). Field & Stream. p. 9. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Cabin built in Victor heading to New York for prestigious conservation group". KTVH.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  5. ^ Doherty, Jeffrey (March 22, 2012). "American Conservation and the Expansion of Waterton Lakes Park 1910-1914". Alberta History. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  6. ^ "Camp Fire Conservation Fund - Supporting conservation through education, research, and organization". Camp Fire Conservation Fund. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Camp Fire Club Legacy". Camp Fire Fund. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  8. ^ Been, Frank. "A DISCUSSION OF NATIONAL PARK STANDARDS". NPS.gov. National Park Service.