Candy sales have long been a beloved tradition at Camp Fire (for over 70 years!), giving young people a way to raise money for camp while building important life skills. This year, that tradition got even sweeter thanks to Camp Fire’s partnership with the Native-owned Puyallup Chocolates.
Puyallup Chocolates is owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the business and development arm of the Puyallup Tribe, a federally recognized Coast Salish tribe based in the Tacoma, Washington, region with over 6,000 members. Its chocolate is made with cacao beans purchased through impact-driven initiatives that support cocoa farmer prosperity and build self-sustaining farming communities that protect nature and children.
Select Camp Fire affiliates sold Puyallup Chocolates for the first time this year, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Two of those affiliates were Camp Fire Snohomish County and Camp Fire Inland Southern California. We heard from parents and leaders about the benefits of the candy sale for their kids, camps, and communities.
Sweet Skills
Camp Fire youth stepped up in big ways by setting personal goals, practicing public speaking, learning money management, and building confidence with every conversation. From community site sales to neighborhood connections and online orders, young people showed resilience, courage, and leadership.
One young camper, Cami, has grown her own sales skills and become a leader within her club, encouraging and supporting others along the way. This year, she mentored first-time seller, Willow, who went from shy to confident in a matter of weeks under Cami’s guidance.
Camp Fire parent, leader, and alumna Janet shares her kids’ biggest takeaways from selling candy:
“The number one skill they gained was confidence to talk with adults. They learned to be respectful and say thank you even when someone said no.”
Along with building interpersonal skills, the candy sale gives kids experience in setting and reaching goals.
“Camp Fire candy sale has impacted my daughter in so many ways. It has taught her how to set realistic goals and how to make a plan to achieve those goals. It has also taught her to handle money safely and responsibly,” says Valerie, Camp Fire parent and leader.
“The experience taught [our young people] that fundraising is more than just selling candy. It is an opportunity to take responsibility, set goals, communicate with others, and work together toward something that benefits their program,” shared Jordan Calderon, HR Generalist at Camp Fire Inland Southern California.
Kids don’t need to be top sellers to benefit from the candy sale experience, emphasizes Lisa, Camp Fire Snohomish County Club Program Administrator:
“We practice ‘Challenge by Choice.’ A goal set by some youth is just as challenging as goals set by our super sellers. Everyone is encouraged to set a stretch goal and adjust as needed. Year after year, I have witnessed growth in our sellers. I am excited to see our youth come out of their shell a little more, do math a little better, become a little more responsible, and become mentors and role models for younger participants.”
Sweet Support
As young people gain confidence and see the fruits of their hard work, they also give their wider community opportunities to invest in the next generation. Camp Fire Snohomish County Community Program Director & Club leader Nelly Osborn sees firsthand the investment that goes into the candy sale.
“What makes it so special is the collaboration of alumni, families, leaders, and volunteers who bring their experience, passion, and dedication to the table. Thanks to them, young people are given the opportunity to succeed, learn, and create lasting memories while having fun and building confidence.”
From behind-the-scenes work to simply buying Camp Fire chocolates, everyone has a role to play in supporting youth development.
Camp Fire parent Cara McCafferty and her kids had an impactful candy sale experience with a Camp Fire alum who couldn’t resist the new Puyallup Chocolates.
“A woman stopped by our table and told us she had sold Camp Fire Mints years ago. She was skeptical that anything could compare to the candy she remembered so fondly. She bought one package, joking that she’d try it while grocery shopping and only come back if it passed the test. A while later, she returned smiling and bought several more packages. It was such a powerful reminder that the sale isn’t just fundraising. It’s something people carry with them long after childhood.”
Sweet Impact
One of the young people selling chocolate with their affiliate, Camp Fire Inland Southern California, Janney, initially seemed shy and nervous about approaching people to sell chocolate. However, she surprised everyone by becoming the top chocolate seller on her entire Camp Fire Cheer (fundraiser) Team!
As the fundraiser continued, Janney became more comfortable talking with family members, neighbors, and community members. By the end, she was confidently explaining what she was fundraising for and proudly sharing her progress with others.
What started as a simple chocolate sale became a meaningful opportunity for Janney to step outside of her comfort zone, build communication skills, and gain confidence. Her success showed that with encouragement and determination, she was capable of achieving more than she initially thought possible.
Jordan at Camp Fire Inland Southern California has also seen how the skills gained selling candy have gone beyond candy sales:
“One of the most meaningful parts was seeing the teamwork continue beyond the fundraiser. Our older youth have started volunteering their time to support our younger campers, working together to encourage them and help with our summer programs. Watching them use the leadership and teamwork skills they developed through Camp Fire to give back to others has been incredibly rewarding.”
Sweet Benefits
The candy sale provides much more than skills and camaraderie. It helps make camp accessible for sellers and other young people. It funds camp and club programs and activities year-round.
When you buy Camp Fire Puyallup Chocolates, you support the Camp Fire National Friendship Fund—a financial and community resource assistance program that fills in funding gaps throughout the national Camp Fire network, extends existing scholarship programs, and supports projects that remove barriers to accessibility.
Eating delicious chocolate, building invaluable life skills, and supporting inclusive youth programming. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that.
