On December 15, 2024, Bend’s Mountain View High School was buzzing with excitement as teams gathered for the highly anticipated FIRST® LEGO® League Qualifying Tournament, a key milestone on the journey to the annual state-level robotics competition in Oregon. Hosted… Read More >

Change is one of the few constants in life, but knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with—especially for young people. Adolescents and young adults come face-to-face with life’s uncertainties on multiple fronts: academic pressures, career choices, evolving… Read More >

National program to tackle common playground struggles while empowering youth to thrive through stronger lifeskills.   BEND, Ore., Jan.8, 2025 – Ask elementary school kids what they love about school, and you’ll likely hear a number of them enthusiastically shout, “Recess!”… Read More >

Teen Connects Group Trots Over to Healing Reins to Support Nonprofit's Holiday Celebration Last Saturday was giddy-up-and-go time for Teens Connect’s annual Season of Service, a spirited series of community volunteer events Camp Fire Central Oregon is offering to teens… Read More >

Our Incredible "Behind-the-Curtain" Wizard If you've been in the merry ole land of "Camp Fire Central Oregon" for a bit, you've likely met or at least heard of Melanie Feltmate (she/her), our resident "Wizard" behind Camp Fire's curtain. Melanie has… Read More >

Sure, It's Cold Outside. But We're Reflecting on Hot Data From Summer! With 2024 coming to a close and plans in the works for next summer’s programs, Camp Fire Central Oregon has been reflecting on vital feedback and data from… Read More >

Colder temperatures. Less sunshine. Longer nights. When you add to that the collective holiday stress and anxiety exuded by many of the grown-ups in their lives, young people can feel particularly lost this time of year. We can learn a… Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Camp Fire Afterschool to Launch in La Pine, Kicks off Monday, Dec. 2 Thanks to community support, La Pine and Rosland Elementary School youth will enjoy top-notch afterschool enrichment for the 2024-2025 school year. BEND, Ore., Nov.… Read More >

Building Bridges: How Partnerships Expand Access to Camps Amid fall programs and winter fun coming up, Camp Fire is prepping for Summer 2025, notably making sure that, per our commitment to equitable access in programming, a diversity of youth will… Read More >

Camp Fire Kids Show Heartfelt Thanks in Veterans Day Parade On Monday, Nov. 11, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s No School Day (NSD) campers proudly took part in the annual Veterans Day Parade in Bend, a touching local and annual tribute… Read More >

Jess Pederson, STEAM Program Coordinator: Coding ‘Creative’ Into Camp Fire’s STEAM Success There’s no question that fall is a super cool time of year for Camp Fire. In particular, that’s when our FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Competition Teams take shape… Read More >

Acknowledgment of past mistakes is one thing. Taking active, intentional steps to repair and make amends for past and current harm is a whole other story. Since 2019, Camp Fire has been on a journey to address and end cultural… Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Camp Fire Central Oregon Launches Hiring Initiative to Staff South County After-School Programs Youth development nonprofit looks to fill flexible roles in La Pine and Three Rivers. Bend, Ore., Oct. 30, 2024 – Camp Fire Central Oregon has… Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Camp Fire Central Oregon Steps in to Save South County After-School Programs Community Support Critical to Close Financial Gaps and Provide Scholarships for Local Families Bend, Ore., Oct. 23, 2024 – In light of the recent closure… Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Join the Fun This Saturday at Camp Fire Central Oregon's FREE Autumn Family Faire in Bend—All Ages Welcome, Volunteers Needed! Youth Development Organization Calls for Community Volunteers. Bend, Ore, October 21, 2024 –The countdown has started for… Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Alliance for Camp Health and Camp Fire Launch Innovative Mental, Emotional and Social Health MESH (+) Services to Youth, Staff First-of-Its-Kind Tools, Training Piloted at Camp Fire Central Oregon Show the Future Path to Improving Care, Youth… Read More >

When Eliana Hilt joined Camp Fire Afterschool at Bend International School for the 2023-2024 school year season, she wasn’t sure what to expect. What she was sure of? Once that school bell rang, she had an enrichment-packed place to go… Read More >

School’s back in session, which means a return to the hustle, bustle—and stress—of juggling everyone’s schedules. Elementary school is out at 2:55. Middle school’s final bell rings at 3:20. Parent/Caregiver A’s workday ends at 5:00. Parent/Caregiver B’s (if there is a… Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Camp Fire Central Oregon's Autumn Family Faire is Bringing the Fun to Bend—and It's FREE! Youth Development Organization Calls for Community Volunteers. Bend, Ore, October 10, 2024 – Get ready for a fall-tastic day of family fun… Read More >

Carissa, Program Support Specialist: Keeping Customer Service and Programs on Track This month, we’re introducing our new Program Support Specialist: Carissa. A welcome addition to the Camp Fire crew, she’s helping drive success from within, supporting customer service needs and… Read More >