Absolutely Incredible Kid Day

March 20, 2008, marks Camp Fire USA’s 12th annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®. This annual letter-writing campaign to honor children has been deemed an overwhelming success by child care experts, educators, celebrities, leaders, parents and kids everywhere.

Research shows that simple words of encouragement and compassion can make a difference in a child’s life. Putting those words into a letter allows the recipient to hang onto those encouraging words, and return to them for inspiration and guidance, often for years to come.

This is the cornerstone of Camp Fire USA’s Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®: communicating to America’s most precious resource ― our youth ― how valuable and absolutely incredible they are.

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®, celebrated annually on the third Thursday in March ― March 20, 2008 ― is Camp Fire USA’s national call to action asking adults to write letters of love and support to youth ― sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, neighbors, even kids they don’t know. This national campaign to honor children has been recognized as an event to inspire adult-to-child interaction.

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® has touched more than 600 million people in the 10 years since its inception. Its supporters include national figures such as President George W. Bush and former President William J. Clinton; American hero, John Glenn; family authority, Sylvia Rimm, Ph.D.; and sports heroes Jerry Rice and Jeff Gordon.

Nationally, the goal of Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is for every child to receive a letter. It can be left on a pillow, mailed, stuck in a lunch box, e-mailed, read over the phone or read in person. Camp Fire USA wants parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, neighbors, educators, mentors and all adults to participate.

Help Camp Fire USA celebrate America’s children by writing a letter to the kids in your life. It’s a simple gesture whose impact can last a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®?
It’ s a day designated to honor our nation’ s children. It’ s a simple, meaningful way for adults to let children know how much they are appreciated. Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is sometimes referred to as AIKD, was created in 1996 by Camp Fire USA.

Why is Camp Fire USA sponsoring this event?
Camp Fire USA wants to honor the hundreds of thousands of children involved in Camp Fire, as well as those who are not involved in our programs. Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® illustrates part of Camp Fire’s official purpose, to seek to improve those conditions in society which affect youth. Our research shows that a personal letter is cherished and valued.

How can people participate in Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®?
AIKD is for all adults who want to let children know how special they are. The call to action is for America’ s adults to write a meaningful letter to a child in their family, their neighborhood or even to a child they don’ t know who may be in a homeless shelter or hospital.

Click here to learn more about one of the exciting ways we celebrated last year, in partnership with Boston Public Schools and Boston’ s Mayor Thomas Menino

What is the goal for Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®?
We want every child to receive a letter. Just imagine the impact of loving letters in lunch boxes, on pillows or tucked in backpacks.

What’ s so special about a letter?
A letter is personal, tangible and something a person can hold onto for years to come. Through written words, people can express emotions they may hold back in conversation. And during the often-challenging times of adolescence, children may be more open to reading a letter than having a talk that may "embarrass" them.

Does writing a letter really make a difference?
Children need positive reinforcement in their lives. The right words of encouragement can come at just the time a child needs them most ― helping the child make better decisions, build self-esteem, and even be more compassionate and successful.

How can I find more information on Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®
Call us at 617.591.0300 or send email to:

Check out the national Camp Fire USA site

Where can I print special stationary for free for may AIKD letters?
Click here to download stationery.

Top 10 Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® Letter-Writing Tips

  1. Set aside some time in a place where you can be undisturbed for 10 to 20 minutes.
  2. Form a mental picture of the child and the things that you enjoy or appreciate about the child.
  3. Getting started can be the toughest part. Try:
    • "Do you know what I like about you? I like it when you ..."
  4. Be specific and be descriptive. Use humor. Don’ t lecture.
  5. Don’ t worry about the length. A note can be cherished as much as an epistle.
  6. Write it by hand. Feel free to make edits as you go. Don’ t over edit.
  7. You can mail it, put it in a lunch box, on a bed stand or read it to a child.
  8. Don’ t get nervous about acknowledgment. It’ s all right to ask, "Did you get my letter to you?" Don’ tpush itwith "Did you like it?"
  9. Find time to write another letter. Make it a habit.
  10. Write a letter now!