Absolutely Incredible Kid Day – 2026 Recap
We think kids are absolutely incredible! That’s why Camp Fire launched Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® all the way back in 1997. It’s a feel-good national holiday designed with one goal: to encourage and lift up young people.
The holiday, which occurs every year on the third Thursday in March, invites adults to connect with a young person through writing letters, sending voice notes, or giving them a call to say, “You’re Absolutely Incredible!”
Your words are powerful. Every year, young lives are changed by Kid Day and the simple act of encouragement, love, and kindness. Check out some of the ways we celebrated the day at Camp Fire Alaska.
Family Night Celebrations
Every afterschool location held a special family night celebration for Kid Day. Each child was presented a special edition Kid Day water bottle filled with treats and a letter from their site staff. Kids excitedly read the letters aloud to their friends and parents.
One site had special guests, including Mel Hooper, Camp Fire CEO, and Jen Motyka, Board Member and Fur Rendezvous Lady Trapper. But the most popular guest of all was the Camp Fire Marshmallow, who helped kids read their letters and lead gym games.
An Axolotl and A Message from the Marshmallow
For the first time as part of Kid Day, we invited our community to make a donation to Camp Fire in honor of an absolutely incredible kid. With a donation of $25 or more we sent a personalized card and a sticker featuring every kids favorite creature—an axolotl! For $100 or more, our Camp Fire Marshmallow sent them a personalized message. Thank you to all who donated!
Kids are Incredible Because…
Why do you think kids are incredible? We invited our board, staff, and community partners to create signs to share their answers. Here are some of our favorites:
They are full of possibilities and energy.
They give me hope for the future.
They are honest, open, and accepting.
They teach us the power of imagination.
They are resilient and optimistic for today and our future.
Self-Portraits of Incredible Kids
In case you missed it, we partnered with Kaladi Bros Coffee to share portraits of incredible kids at their JL Tower café location. Our afterschool kids were asked, “what makes you incredible?” and they showed off their creativity in dozens of colorful drawings. 18 of them were displayed at the café through March, but you can see many more of them in our previous blog.
The Impact of Kid Day
At Camp Fire, we know that growing up is hard. And we know how to make it better. Our work is centered on the belief that when young people experience belonging, they develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
When an adult says, “I see you. I believe in you. You’re incredible,” it strengthens a young person’s sense of identity and possibility.
Thank you to every adult who showed up for youth on Kid Day. Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued—not just today, but every day.
Stay tuned for ways to get involved with next year’s Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® on March 19, 2027!