Camp Fire Central Oregon | Light the Fire Within

Our News Archive

Staff Spotlight: Kamryn Sherman, STEAM Program Coordinator

Q: Tell us about your personal and professional background. A: Hidden in the oak trees in a place of four seasons is a small town on the southern edge of the Sierra Nevada called Tehachapi, Calif., which is where I… Read More >

Share This:

Bend Women for Good Awards $6,769 to Camp Fire Central Oregon

When Kecia Kubota, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s executive director, gave her fundraising pitch to a room packed with caring Central Oregon women, she had no idea whether her message would resonate for the win. Once a quarter, the group of… Read More >

Share This:

Prioritizing Youth Safety & Well-Being: How Camp Fire Creates Safe Spaces for All Youth

Child Abuse Prevention Month is an important reminder that keeping young people safe is a shared responsibility. Parents and caregivers, youth-serving organizations, and communities all play a role in creating environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive with confidence.    At Camp Fire… Read More >

Share This:

How We Communicate: Why Hearing “You’re Incredible” Still Matters

There was a time when the phone ringing meant someone wanted to hear your voice. Conversations unfolded in real time. You could hear pauses, laughter, and hesitation. The tone of someone’s voice could carry as much meaning as the words themselves, sometimes… Read More >

Share This:

Valentines for Vets Draws Big Crafting Crowd, Nets 269 Cards of Gratitude!

It was a morning of heartfelt happiness and hundreds of acts of kindness—269 to be exact, when,  on Monday, January 19, nearly 100 community members gathered together to spend their morning making Valentine’s Day cards—well ahead of February 14. From… Read More >

Share This:

Celebrating Volunteerism & Random Acts of Kindness Week

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, but at Camp Fire, kindness isn’t a single moment on the calendar. It’s an ingrained way of showing up for ourselves, each other, and our communities. Every single day. Across the country,… Read More >

Share This:

Media Release: Camp Fire Central Oregon Receives Competitive American Camp Association Grant Award

Kids playing with cups in a stream

Funding supports camp research for expansion in South County and growing character strengths of ‘curiosity, confidence, and compassion’ within Camp Fire’s programs. BEND, Ore. Feb. 5, 2026 – Camp Fire Central Oregon is excited to announce that it has been… Read More >

Share This:

Staff Spotlight: Jen Paynter, CFA Site Lead & Playworks Recess Coach

Q: Tell us about your personal and professional background. A: With an academic background in math, science, and engineering, I bring a blend of analytical thinking and hands-on experience to my work with young people. I hold a bachelor’s degree… Read More >

Share This:

Media Release: Camp Fire Central Oregon Invites the Community to Warm the Hearts of U.S. Veterans on MLK Jr. National Day of Service

Happening Monday: Valentines for Veterans, a massive annual volunteer event to craft cards of encouragement and gratitude for service members. BEND, Ore. Jan. 15, 2026 – Valentine’s Day may be a month away, but it’s going to be in the… Read More >

Share This:

Get the latest from Camp Fire Central Oregon!

Fun infographics, cutting-edge research, fascinating articles, compelling stories, big news, and other things we know you won’t want to miss—sign up for our quarterly email newsletter!

Sign Up for our Newsletter