CampFire, established in 1910, was founded by Charlotte Gulich, who wanted girls to learn their place to belong, enjoy nature, and not just learn about Home Economics, as Girl Scouts wasn’t founded until 1912. Camp Tacanekko was established in the summer of 1966, celebrating its 59th anniversary this year. CampFire founded Camp Tacanekko as a place for K-11th grade girls —later incorporating boys—to have a week-long traditional day camp experience. Campers participate in music, arts-n-crafts, swimming, try-ads, and starflight level. The camp reserves its annual week at Camp Arroyo Grande (Camp A.G.).
“Liz Hellens’ mom, back 58 years ago, thought we needed a day campfire,” local CampFire and Camp Tacanekko Program Director Cheri Hess said. “So, she came up with the concept and presented the program, and it began at the Methodist campground.”
The 30-acre Camp A.G. is a historic site founded in 1885 that can be used for public or private events, such as Camp Tacanekko, a summer camp for youth from ages K-6th. For 7th and up the youth can participate as Junior Counselors (JC’s). This year, 11th and 12th graders who have grown up going to the camp can become counselors.
“It’s an all volunteer run camp,” Hess said. “[The] only staff [member] is me. Typically [there are] 200 to 225 kids per week.”
During the summer camp, the campers are grouped with other campers their age and separated into girl and boy groups spread out in cabins throughout Camp A.G. Campers K-6 participate in 1 hour of swimming, arts and crafts, hiking, and music during camp. The 6th grade campers run the camp trading post, where the campers can get candy and other prizes. 7th to 12th graders can earn community service hours for volunteering during the days of camp. For the K-2 campers, activities of the camp theme are geared towards younger kids, and for 3rd-6th campers, they can choose between archery, cooking, baking, drama, and sports as a specialty for their try-ad. The 7th graders undergo Leadership in Training (LITs) and the 8th-12th graders participate in JC’s and Counselors.
There is no specific definition for Tacanekko, but the symbol, as a part of CampFire’s Native American Heritage, contains a hand, heart and tree, which can symbolize togetherness,bonding experiences, being in nature and having a sense of belonging. Lopez Lake is a part of the back skirts of the Arroyo Grande area, that has a campground area for public use.
“Camp Takaneko has always been at the Methodist Camp that became Camp AG. Only one year out of the 58, it was at Lopez Lake when the campground was being sold,” Hess said.
In 1970, the organization pivoted to allow boys into the organization creating a summer camp for K-12th for all youth, transforming from a Girls’ Organization to a Youth Organization.
“CampFire is a local tradition, and most of all of our students are [from] Lucia Mar [Unified School District]. We also service San Luis [Obispo] and some homeschooled kids,” Hess said.
The Junior Counselors (JCs) help with the songs, skits, and programs that are a part of the camp, and during the week, they meet with an advisor that evaluates their skills. To be a JC or Counselor, teenagers must take at least 1 leadership class. Being a JC or Counselor can account for 40 hours of community service. Those who have participated in camp as a JC or Counselor can use their experience(s) as a counselor on a job or college application.
“[The] first year, I was a JC for the kindergarteners, and this past year I was a counselor for the second graders,” Sean Oskner (‘26) said. “There’s usually 10 to 20 people per cabinet, and [counselors] have to keep track of everyone, make sure that they’re being safe [while] having fun and making sure that they’re enjoying themselves, and be in charge of the JCs.”
The camp’s Program Director, Cherri Hess, has been in charge of putting together all the events and patches for the last 32 years and will continue to hold the position to have a lasting impact in the lives of the campers. Whether or not they are a part of CampFire or just come to the camp every year to kick off their summer in a fun way or for this year to end their summer with a bang.
