Camp Fire Central Oregon | Light the Fire Within

Leadership & News Archive

Camp Fire’s 2025 Year in Review: Courage, Connection & Collective Wins

Graphic highlighting a year of courage, connection and collective wins

As we close out 2025, we’re taking a moment to breathe, look back, and celebrate what we built together this year. From expanding youth safety and well-being to repairing the harm our organization has caused by cultural appropriation, to forging… Read More >

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A New, Meaningful Partnership with Puyallup Tribal Enterprises and Puyallup Chocolates

Photo featuring Puyallup fundraiser chocolates

For nearly 70 years, generations of Camp Fire youth learned sales skills, built confidence, and shared joy through the classic mint patties that became a symbol of the season. When that long chapter came to a close in 2024, our… Read More >

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Celebrating Our Values: Camp Fire Central Oregon Receives National Recognition for Prestigious ‘Culture of Safety Award’

Honored at the 2025 Camp Fire Leadership Conference, Camp Fire Central Oregon spotlighted for its commitment to youth protection, abuse prevention. Bend, Ore., November 20, 2025 – Camp Fire Central Oregon is thrilled to announce that it has been honored… Read More >

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Staff Spotlight: Logan Betts

Logan Betts with mountain background

Logan Betts, STEM Program Coordinator: Engineering Powerful Connection for Camp Fire Kids It’s hard to believe that Logan Betts (she/her/hers) has only been with Camp Fire Central Oregon for a little over a year. After joining our SummerKids team and… Read More >

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Staff Spotlight: Mary Bowker

Mary Bowker on her sailboat.

Mary Bowker, Grants Manager: Securing Funds & Scholarships From the Helm! One of our amazing behind-the-scenes team leads is Mary Bowker, who serves from the Camp Fire helm as our Grants Manager. For the past eight years, Mary has been… Read More >

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Staff Spotlight: Cece Valceschini

In the realm of Camp Fire Central Oregon champions, one of our greatest superheroes is Cece Valceschini! As our program specialist, Cece runs our certified babysitter training, supports Kids Night Out events, and serves as the director of our beloved… Read More >

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Staff Spotlight: Zafiro Larsen

Zafiro Larsen Sunset Picture

Meet Zafiro Larsen (pictured left) and you can’t help but be impressed by this high-energy, deeply caring human being, who, at Camp Fire Central Oregon, also goes by the name of “Sonora.” That word in Latin means “to make sound,… Read More >

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The Wonders of a Local Watershed: Teen Connects Youth Plant for Our Future at Creekside Park, Sisters

Teen Connects youth puts muscle into breaking up the riverbank for planting.

What is a watershed? Where might the location of Whychus Creek’s headwaters be? And at the Creekside Park in Sisters, why are there human-made steps going down to Whychus Creek, as well as fencing aligned with its banks, at Creekside… Read More >

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A Day on the Farm: Tales From Teen Connects in Sisters

In a heartwarming display of community spirit and compassion, a group of teenagers from Camp Fire Central Oregon’s Teen Connect program recently embarked on a fulfilling volunteering experience at Harmony Farm Sanctuary. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and… Read More >

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