To scores of local boys and girls involved in the nationwide organization Camp Fire USA, Mende Bruce is good as gold.
To Camp Fire itself, she is golden.
Bruce, a Cleburne resident and school teacher, will be celebrating her 50th year of Camp Fire involvement this fall. She has been a camper, a staff member and a camp director.
She hasn’t missed a summer camp in 49 years. That’s a lot of camp fires.
“I joined as a Bluebird in September of 1960,” she said. “My mother was in Camp Fire in the ’40s, and Frances Langford was my director. I remember going to Camp Val Verde, which was kind of primitive. It didn’t have air-conditioning, but back then we didn’t know any better. That’s where I learned to swim. I teach swimming lessons every summer. I spent a lot of time in the swimming pool. I did nature hikes, things that kids don’t do anymore. I remember finding leaves and making Plaster of Paris molds.
“We actually took an outdoors class every summer. We cooked outdoors on a fire and slept in a tent. I started as a camper. When I graduated from high school, I came back as staff and taught canoe and archery.
“In the mid ’80s, I became camp director. Now I teach silver. We used to have a lady from Denton who taught the girls how to make silver jewelry. When she died, she left me some of her stuff.”
The memories will surely flow July 31 when the local Tesuya Council of Camp Fire hosts a Centennial Fire ceremony at the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum.
It’s a nationwide event, with councils encouraged to participate collectively. Councils from Austin, Lubbock, Fort Worth and Dallas are expected here.
The ceremony will begin with a processional at 7:15 p.m. The fire is lit at 7:30.
“All the fires nationwide are lit at 7:30 in their respective time zones,” Bruce said. “We’ll recognize all the past executive directors and recognize the past, present and future of Camp Fire.”
Much like Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Camp Fire was most popular among the youth of America when there were fewer planned activities for youth. That’s changed.
“There’s so much for kids to do these days with baseball, soccer and cheerleading,” Bruce said. “Our numbers have greatly dropped off. When I started, we probably had 200 kids. Now we have about 100. We decided last year to really work at our numbers and got them back to 100, and we’ve already started recruiting for the fall.”
Another boost to the numbers: Camp Fire is no longer just for girls.
“In fact, we have boys who will be graduating seniors next year,” Bruce said. “Camp Fire activities are pretty much all coed. At camp, they do fishing, canoeing and swimming, all things boys love. We used to have paintball, but we’ve done away with that.”
She said local leader John Patrick wants to do some things this year exclusive to boys, such as a bicycle class with off-road bicycling.
“Most of our boys are the sons of leaders or brothers of other members,” she said
“Our boys at camp are so good,” Bruce said. “When they leave the dining hall, the older boys have the younger boys hold open the door for the girls. They teach the little boys manners. I was very impressed.”
Camp has been held at various locations. For many years, it was at Camp Val Verde (owned by the Waco Council), then Glen Lake Methodist Camp in Glen Rose before a few years at Camp Carter in Fort Worth. Now, they’re back at Glen Lake, where, Bruce noted, the cabins are air-conditioned.
As much as Bruce has put in to Camp Fire over the 50 years, she’s gotten much more out of it.
“This is where the majority of my friends come from,” she said. “These are the people I still run with after 50 years. I get teary-eyed talking about it. I’m amazed with how many people post things about Camp Fire on Facebook. It’s cool to see kids I remember grow up and become productive citizens.
“I was talking the other day to a young lady who manages a huge hair salon in the Metroplex. She was telling people at work how she’s coming to our Centennial Fire. They asked her why, and she said, ‘Those are the people who made me what I am.’ She feels the same way I do.”
What Bruce learned from Frances Langford, she still practices today.
“Mrs. Langford was my leader and one of our executive directors. My particular group went camping a lot because she was an outdoorsy person. If we went camping over the weekend, we always had some kind of church service on Sunday morning. I grew up going to church and thinking you worship in a building. What Mrs. Langford taught me was that God is in nature and all the things around us and that you don’t have to be in a building to worship.”
Camp Fire members learn lessons that carry them through the weekdays, too.
“One thing we teach at camp is that you always leave a place cleaner than you found it,” Bruce said. “Every night, everybody picks up trash. You know how kids are. They say, ‘Why should I pick it up? It’s not mine.’ After a night or two, they don’t say that anymore. They just pick it up.”
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Related Photos
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Camp Fire USA Camp Tesuya staff and alumni for 2010 include, front row, from left, Debbie Mann, Mandy Brookshire and Mende Bruce. Middle row, from left, are Sharon Switzer, Melissa Lewis and Lindsey Upshaw. Back row, from left, are Nancy Davis, Lauren Jones and Kari Denning. Courtesy photo
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It all seems like yesterday, but in fact it was 1963. Pictured at the Camp Fire USA Camp Tesuya Fly-Up ceremony are, front row, from left, Gay Lillard, Caron Chafin Nicklas, Becky Woodruff Davis, Cheryl Langford Prachyl, Candy Pyeatt, Twain Anderson, Debe Callway Owens and Jill Johnson. Back row, from left, are Prisca Wells, Paulinda Young Proffitt, Marijane Fulbright Larrison, Shirley Swatzell Cowden, Evelyn Mims, Mende Stringer Bruce and Kathy Booth. Courtesy photo
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Mende Stringer Bruce, left, is pictured with Debe Callaway Owens at Camp Fire USA Camp Tesuya Senior Ceremonial in 1972. Courtesy photo
Discussion
For Bruce, the fire still burns very brightly
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
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Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
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Never forgotten
