Camp Fire Kids Show Heartfelt Thanks in Veterans Day Parade
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 to those who have served our country. Per Camp Fire tradition, kids of all ages brought the spirit of gratitude as they waved hand-made signs, proudly calling out, “Wave if you’re a veteran!” to the hundreds of people lining the downtown route. Veterans who acknowledged the kids’ chants received hand-crafted thank-you notes, thank-you stickers, and words of thanks—all small but very heartfelt gestures expressing the campers' deep appreciation for their service.
Walking behind Sparky, the organization's vibrant van, the kids were joined by Curtis Kauer (he/him), a Camp Fire staff member and, in particular, a familiar face from the SummerKids program, who surprised everyone by arriving in full military uniform.
Curtis, a Camp Fire staff member, served both at SummerKids camp and in the U.S. Army!
“They thought it was a costume,” said Curtis, who, before working at Camp Fire, trained in Louisiana, where he served in 11th Bravo as a machine gunner for the U.S. Army. Curtis talked to the kids about his service, plus gave them pointers for the parade, such as keeping the little flags they carried upright and not letting them touch the ground. The unexpected glimpse into this staff member’s service in the army made a powerful impact on the kids and, for Curtis, sparked some reflections around the overlap between his military training and experience with Camp Fire.
“All those little soft skills helped me as a counselor,” he said, “and it’s kind of showing them that anyone can be in the military.“
Right in step with Curtis and other Camp Fire staff and leadership, the kids performed their roles and duties for the day with great diligence, connecting with veterans, passing out the cards, and saying thank you with youthful yet tender energy. Despite the chilly autumn day, the warm expressions of gratitude and unity filled the air, creating a meaningful and memorable experience for all.
Thrilled to participate in the parade for a second year in a row, Camper Haiden noted the importance of the event, saying, “They (the veterans) fought so hard to serve and keep our world in good condition!”
Other kids agreed and chimed in, including Fika who perfectly summarized the campers’ thoughts and wishes on this special Veteran’s Day: “Since they fought so hard, we want to celebrate them so they feel like they earned it!”
The Veterans Day parade is one of two annual events in which our No School Day Campers pay tribute to those who have served our country. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20, 2025), youth will join the community in making thank-you cards, which will be delivered to veterans on Valentine’s Day. Stay tuned for details about this memorable, upcoming day of service!
