WOHELO: Camp Fire’s Original Watchword
If you’re new to Camp Fire, you’re bound to ask: Wo-what?
That word you keep hearing people say, keep seeing on pins and signs and badges? It’s wohelo. And it’s been a part of Camp Fire since the very beginning.
Cofounder Charlotte Gulick invented the word in 1910 to celebrate three of Camp Fire’s core values: Work, Health and Love. She believed that “in constructive work lay the roots of true service to humanity and the real joy of living. Health was fundamental and Love was our highest law. She thought of the words as forming a triangle…” (pg. 11, WO-HE-LO, The Camp Fire History, 1980)
Camp Fire fans use “Wohelo!” as a greeting, a sign-off, a reminder and a pledge: We’re committed to working hard, supporting each other’s holistic health and loving each other and the wider world.
Camp Fire’s first membership pin
Wohelo has remained constant over the years, through all of Camp Fire’s changes. Today’s Camp Fire Thrive{ology} framework—helping Camp Fire kids find their sparks, practice a growth mindset, learn to set goals and reflect—gives youth a clear map to develop those Wohelo values of work, health and love.
Camp Fire’s Highest Achievement – WOHELO Award Winners
Wohelo also became the name of Camp Fire’s most prestigious achievement: The Wohelo Award. This designation is open to Camp Fire teens who complete an intensive, self-led, life-changing projects. These projects focus on personal development, leadership and advocacy and are differ according to each young person’s sparks and goals. (For example, see how Emma and Jessica, recipients of the Wohelo Award, crafted really unique projects.)
That’s WOHELO! Use Camp Fire’s favorite word with pride.
This month is Alumni Celebration Month at Camp Fire! If you’re an alumni, please sign up for our ALUMNI EMAIL LIST so we can stay in touch. Thanks for your support! #WoHeLo:
Camp Fire Minnesota
I was a camp fire girl in my Catholic grade school back in the early 60’s. These ideals, I see looking back as I now approach my 70’s, were as key to forming me as were the tenets of my faith…maybe even more so. When I see what has become of the Girl and Boy Scouts, I wonder what is left to help form our children in these times of chaos and confusion for adults. I am awake in the middle of the night with the memory of this long ago joy I experienced in this group. It occurs to me that this program can partner with any faith tradition, or even none at all, to help kids form a sense of purpose, belonging and joy early in life and with God’s grace, last a lifetime. I am looking for a place to help kids. This is familiar.
I was in Camp Fire for 19 years. My Mom was a leader. I found an emblem of Wo-He-Lo in the basement “2nd gym” room of my daughter’s very old Middle School. Pretty sure I’m the only one in this area that knows what it means. I would just like to stay in touch with others who have this history.
Hello Dawn! We are so glad you want to stay connected. Have you checked out our Alumni hub? https://campfire.org/alumni/ You can find how to join the official Alumni groups on Facebook and LinkedIn as well as more info about how to stay connected with Camp Fire.