Camp Fire names and symbolgrams

Between third grade and fifth grade, each Camp Fire youth is encouraged to create his/her own Camp Fire name and symbol, or "symbolgram." Below are four examples from boys in Mid-Atlantic's Camp Fire 4-260. After being designed and planned with pencil on paper, the symbolgrams were made into felt emblems and sewn onto the Camp Fire youth's vest.


ToandoahThis boy saw himself as "seeking the unknown in the field of science." He chose the Dakota name "To-an-do-ah," meaning "the inventor." The base of his symbolgram was a dark blue circle. On that was a light blue, four-pointed star symbolizing the unknown. On top of the center of the star was the symbol of an eye to symbolize seeking. The eye was in orange, seen as the color of ambition; the star was light blue, the color used in Camp Fire for science honor beads.


Sports LoverThis boy chose the name "Sports Lover." On a half-oval orange backgraound, he used Arapaho symbols to show what he found most important for someone in a sports contest: faith, strength, and courage. He used the symbol of a rainbow for faith, the symbol of a tree for strength, and the symbol of an eagle for courage. Take a look at the finished symbolgram in color, and what does it most look like?


Man of DangerThis boy chose the name "Man of Danger." As he kept clinging to the name, his Camp Fire leader encourged him to confront whatever dangers he chose not only with courage, but also with intelligence. Thus, he added the symbol for an eye to signify intelligence, to appease his Camp Fire leader. The background of his symbolgram was a medium blue triangle. On top was a red winding road, or path, to show courage. The path lead to a black arrowhead, for danger. On top of the path he placed a golden eye, for intelligence.


AtletaThis boy's grandparents were from Poland, and he was an athlete. Thus, he chose as his Camp Fire name the Polish word for athlete: "At-let-a." On the background of a dark blue triangle, he put the symbol of a snow-peaked gray mountain to signify strength and courage. Above the mountain were three yellow bolts of lightning symbolizing power, energy, & swiftness, and two red arrows symbolozing skill and accuracy.


The boys behind the symbolgrams
The boys behind the symbolgrams,
visiting Mt. Vernon


Montgomery County, Maryland, Camp Fire

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Bethesda, MD