Luther H. and Charlotte V. Gulick started the Camp Fire youth movement for girls in 1910 in the United States. It encourages many of the same practical skills as the Guides movement in Britain, and tests its members in a similar way but within a quite different framework. Camp Fire was based on a romantic version of Native American culture, with each member making her own ceremonial costume based on the dress of the squaw, and choosing herself a new name for her identity within the group.

Ceremonial gowns such as this were made to regulations laid down in the movement’s handbook, which stipulated that the dress must be worn over dark knickers (no petticoat), with moccasins or dark shoes and stockings on the feet. A triangular badge of cut and layered coloured felt was stitched to the breast of the gown, representing the emblem of the camp to which the wearer belonged. Every piece of decoration was required to have meaning, and the coloured wooden beads were honours, awarded for seven crafts: orange (home craft), red (health), brown (camp craft), green (hand craft), blue (nature craft), yellow (business craft), red/white/blue (citizenship). A string of ten purple beads was also awarded for each rank attained - Runner, Wood Gatherer, Fire Maker and Torch Bearer - and larger beads known as ‘Big Honours’ for achieving a group of honours in a particular craft.

The royal blue border of the Camp Fire membership pin bears the three elements of the word ‘Wohelo’ in silver: ‘Wo’ for work, ‘he’ for health and ‘lo’ for love, one of the key philosophies of the movement. The Wood Gatherer’s ring is decorated with a bundle of seven silver faggots symbolising the seven points of the law: seek beauty; give service; pursue knowledge; be trustworthy; hold on to health; glorify work; be happy.