Are you a parent who is looking for a way to get your kids up off the couch and into the outdoors playing sports in a great atmosphere? Well, there are opportunities galore available with Camp Fire USA. And it’s not your mama’s Camp Fire Girls anymore.

    Although Camp Fire Girls started up in Pocatello 93 years ago, the organization has changed and grown, and local leader Ann Seamons has put her personal stamp and unique spin on the program. Pocatello’s Camp Fire USA concentrates on sports programs for both girls and boys, and now is the perfect time to find out about the program and register for its Spring sports. Spring Soccer and T-ball teams are now being formed, and registration closes on Friday, March 8.           

    The sports programs are geared for boys and girls from three years of age to sixth graders, and players may participate in soccer, volleyball, flag football, T-Ball and basketball. The play is team-based and non-competitive, meaning that scores are not kept and everybody gets a trophy for participating.  

    “The organization is very inclusive,” said Seamons, welcoming boys, girls, children with handicaps, and children from all financial backgrounds and with all levels of playing ability. “There is no one who can’t play. Everybody gets to play, and everybody’s a winner.”

    The only time that scores are kept are in the 3-on-3 basketball games, which are a round robin-type of event.  

    The cost to register for each program of organized practices and games is $60 per child, and this fee includes a team shirt, pictures and a trophy. Sports equipment is provided by Camp Fire USA. Scholarships to cover registration fees are available.   

    Here is a short summary of the upcoming programs:

— Spring Soccer for ages three years to sixth grade: Registration closes March 8.

— Spring T-Ball for ages three years to second grade: Registration closes March 8.   

— Flag football for those who will be in KGN through fourth grade in the fall: Registration closes May 3.

— Basketball (3-on-3) for those who will be in KGN through fourth grade in the fall: Registration closes June 28.  

    Call the Camp Fire USA office for complete schedules and registration dates for fall soccer, T-Ball, volleyball, and winter basketball.    

    While Camp Fire USA in other areas still provides the traditional types of camping and badge-earning opportunities, Pocatello’s Camp Fire USA program is rather unique.

    “I’ve kind of done my own thing here, and we found our niche in Pocatello,” said Seamons.

    As Executive Director of Camp Fire USA in Pocatello for over seven years, Seamons and her assistant director Kayla Powell coordinate and direct a sports program that typically sees the participation of 1600 to 2000 children.  

      “Today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders,” Seamons often says, and she is keen to offer kids the opportunity to learn to play and work together a team. “We work closely with the kids to make sure they have a positive experience. It’s important that they play and learn some skills, but they also get a lot of positive reinforcement from the adults and from their coaches.

    The majority of coaches and helpers for the programs are parents, and Camp Fire USA also works closely with School District 25 for use of school athletic fields for practices and games.

    “We couldn’t do this without the help of the school district,” commented Seamons.   

    “I’ve lived in Pocatello all my life, and raised my family here,” she said, adding that she is deeply involved in the Camp Fire USA program because she feels it is a great place for kids to start playing sports to develop both a healthy body and a healthy self-esteem. “I want to help give them an opportunity for success.”