Campfire North - About Us

Our Mission

Camp Fire North Shore's mission is to provide safe and inclusive out of school time programming

that empowers youth to thrive and become caring and confident leaders.

Our Promise

Young people want to shape the world. Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice and discover who they are.

In Camp fire, it begins now. Light the fire within!

Our Vision

Every child we serve reaches their full potential.

Our Core Values

Advocacy – We continually advocate for and support the needs of our participants and their families. Our staff engages in advocacy work locally, and at the state and federal-level to bring awareness to the issues faced by our families and other providers of out-of-school-time programming. We serve on local committees, action groups, and boards of directors, and carefully engage in partnerships with local service organizations to ensure the needs of our families are met.

Diversity and Inclusion – We value the diverse cultural and personal backgrounds of our participants, their families and our staff. We believe that exposing children to and sharing different perspectives and experiences with them strengthens their ability to be the caring leaders each of them is meant to be. We are inclusive and invite all youth to take part in our programs and events regardless of a person’s race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic.

Empowerment – We empower our participants, their families and our staff to live their best life by providing the resources and services they need to be healthy youth, parents/guardians, and employees. We provide opportunities for learning and reflection, and celebrate the accomplishments of our families and staff.

Inspiration – We foster a creative environment that we hope will inspire our youth to be confident leaders. We inspire our youth participants, their families and our staff to achieve their dreams. We expose them to new ideas and create pathways for achievement through education, play, movement and art.

Our History

Camp Fire, formerly Camp Fire USA, is a nationwide American youth organization that began in 1910.

The organization has been co-ed since 1975 and welcomes youth from pre-k through age 21.

The Camp Fire North Shore Council was originally established by the Lynn Lions Club in the 1960's. We are now a co-ed organization serving children from across the North Shore area, offering several programs throughout the year including, a State Licensed After School Program, Self-Reliance Program, Teens In Action, Club Program and a 9 week Summer Camp for kids ages 5-13. Through our programs we promote moral, social and interpersonal development for area children and young adults.

Camp Fire North Shore's program facility is located on the Lynn/Salem line, both Gateway Cities, and is situated on 75 acres of wooded land which includes hiking trails and the Spring Pond Reservoir. In 2019, Camp Fire North Shore established the administrative offices located on Chestnut Street in Lynn.

Camp Fire Staff

Laurie Hamill, Executive Director

Meghan Collins, Assistant Executive Director

Mary Cole, Executive Assistant

Diane Ladue, Administrative Assistant

Kelly Ford - Director, After School Programs, Training & Professional Development

Gisselle Espinal - Director, Summer Camp + Site Coordinator

Rilyn Gardner, Site Coordinator, Camp Fire @ Connery 21st CCLC Program/

Social Media Coordinator

Jasmine Peraza, Site Coordinator, Camp Fire @ Hood 21st CCLC Program

Carina Quinones, Director, Summer Camp + Site Coordinator, Camp Fire @ Shoemaker

Melvin Velasquez, Family Engagement Coordinator, 21st CCLC Programs