How to bring the benefits of camp experiences to more kids with Shawna Rosenzweig

Release date: June 15, 2026

It is Shawna Rosenzweig’s vision to bring the benefits of structured outdoor experiences to all kids. If she is seeing farther than some, it is because she stands on the shoulders of the benevolent 100-year-old giant that is Camp Fire. Shawna and I discuss how outdoor experiences boost self-efficacy and equality, Camp Fire’s pioneering legacy, the hallmarks of great outdoor programs, and how to bring those programs, or elements of them, to the kids in your life. More information about Shawna and Camp Fire is below.

Biography of Shawna Rosenzweig

A passionate and strategic leader, Shawna Rosenzweig has worked in Positive Youth Development since 2010, bringing expertise and innovation to out-of-school-time programs, organizational strategy, civic engagement, fundraising, and the scaling of national partnerships. Since joining Camp Fire in 2013, she has risen through the ranks from director to chief strategy officer to president to her current role as CEO. 

During her tenure at Camp Fire, Shawna has led culture change efforts and leadership transitions at the national office as well as designed and launched diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) efforts across the network, including creating an equity task force and working with the National Indian Education Association to address and end cultural appropriation in the Camp Fire organization. She also volunteers as vice chair for the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) board of directors, as a Character at Camp Initiative advisor for the American Camp Association, as an advisor for Youth Today, and as an advisory committee member for National Partnership for Student Success.

Shawna has dedicated her career to supporting out-of-school-time organizations to advance their missions through data-informed and client-centered approaches to learning, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness. Prior to Camp Fire, she worked at Thrive Foundation for Youth and Global Kids in New York City. She also spent time in the Middle East, developing and facilitating educational material for various organizations promoting conflict resolution among teens in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, including Seeds of Peace, Just Vision, and Parents Circle-Families Forum.

A true role model for creativity, curiosity, and inclusion, Shawna was recognized in 2024 as one of Worthy’s 100 impactful changemakers creating innovative impact in their field. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin Madison, as well as a B.A. in sociology with a minor in education and applied psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Eager to create positive change throughout her sphere of influence, she lives in Seattle with her wife, Stef, their two children, Raffi and Crosby, and the family’s two dogs.

Links

Camp Fire

https://campfire.org/