CANDY PROVEN GOOD FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 3, 2006 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Vanessa E. Adams
Communications Director
Telephone: 816 285 2028
E-mail: vanessa.adams@campfireusa.org

CANDY PROVEN GOOD FOR YOUTH
AND COMMUNITIES!
Annual Camp Fire USA Candy Sale Benefits Thousands of Communities and Their Youth By Supporting Programs and Teaching Valuable Skills

(Kansas City, Mo.) - Statistics prove that candy really is good for kids - and communities. Each year, Camp Fire USA youth members across the country sell approximately 2 million boxes of candy, generating thousands of dollars for their councils. These efforts coupled with support from local citizens and businesses help maintain a full range of programs and services that directly enrich the lives of youth throughout the nation and better thousands of communities.

The Camp Fire USA Candy Sale is a decades-old tradition for the 96-year-old national youth development organization. Generations of Camp Fire youth members have dutifully served the organization by selling candy. As they plan and implement their local Candy Sales, these youth are giving back to Camp Fire USA, and learning important life skills, including presentation skills, public speaking, math, teamwork, responsibility, confidence and goal-setting.

"Boys and girls who participate in the annual Camp Fire USA Candy Sale are taking part in a unique learning opportunity reinforcing valuable skills that youth first see in school," said Stewart J. Smith, Camp Fire USA national chief executive officer. "They have fun, too, and may not even realize they're learning very valuable assets."

Throughout the United States, Camp Fire USA councils will be conducting annual Candy Sales, usually between January and March. Proceeds are applied toward local Camp Fire USA youth development programs such as self-reliance, small group-mentoring and camping and environmental education.

Varieties of candy available vary by location, but include Creamy Smooth Mint Patties, Almond Roca Buttercrunch, Almond Caramel Clusters, Mint Meltaways, Caramel Whirls, Continental Almonds, Milk Chocolate with Roasted California Almonds, P-Nuttles, Zingos – Cinnamon and Zingos – Peppermint.

"Purchasing Camp Fire USA candy is a simple way for consumers to support the youth of our nation by encouraging an outstanding educational benefit. With just a few dollars, you can make an investment that has immeasurable returns," said Smith.

Camp Fire USA candy can be purchased for one’s self, as a unique gift or incentive item. Companies have chosen to use Camp Fire candy, in its playful and brightly-colored packaging, to promote to their employees and constituents the value of community involvement. Candy can be purchased by contacting the Camp Fire USA council nearest you.

And remember, while the Candy Sale runs for only a short time, Camp Fire USA programs benefit youth year-round!

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Camp Fire USA is one of the nation's leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, currently serving nearly 750,000 children and youth annually. Camp Fire, with national headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1977, provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. Camp Fire USA's mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. By design, Camp Fire's programs, including small group experiences, after school programs, camping and environmental education, child care and service learning, build confidence in younger children and provide hands-on, youth-driven leadership experiences for older youth. For more information, visit www.campfireusa.org.