Expansion and program demands driving historic changes at nonprofit youth development organization, interested job candidates encouraged to apply.

Youth playing with paint at a picnic table.

Bend, Ore., July 10, 2025 — Camp Fire Central Oregon is thrilled to announce that it has just launched its largest hiring campaign in its history as it prepares for a landmark year of growth and expanded youth programming. In response to increasing demand for its youth programs and partnerships across the region, the nonprofit youth development organization is actively recruiting a wide range of team members—from program leaders and coordinators to part-time afterschool and support staff—to help deliver high-quality, inclusive programs throughout the 2025/2026 school year and beyond.

“This major hiring push reflects Camp Fire’s deepening impact and its commitment to meeting the needs of more young people and families than ever before,” says Kecia Kubota, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s executive director. “It’s a testimony to the resilience of our nonprofit, which has served Central Oregon for over a century. And, it also reflects the role that forward-thinking planning and having the right staff on board, in the right jobs, has in ensuring we can continue to deliver and sustain quality programs to our community.”

Among the open positions, Camp Fire is hiring a new Program Director and Program Manager, two mission-critical, strategic leadership roles that will help shape the direction, culture and future of the organization’s programs. Also available: Site-specific leadership jobs for the Camp Fire Afterschool (CFA) programs in Bend and South County (La Pine/Three Rivers), plus many part-time CFA staff jobs at those same locations. Camp Fire is also hiring a STEAM Coordinator to head up its award-winning robotics programs and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) camps. 

All advertised positions can be found on Camp Fire’s website: https://campfireco.org/jobs/.

The hiring campaign isn’t the only big news. As of Fall 2025, Camp Fire’s current Programs Director, Melanie Feltmate, will transition into a newly created role: Operations Director. Feltmate joined Camp Fire in 2018 as the Teen Programs and Outreach Coordinator and, as a proven leader with planning and strategic management skills and a huge heart for Camp Fire’s mission, moved into her role as Program Director in 2021. In that approximate timeframe, staffing has grown from four to 16 year-round members (300% increase) while annual youth reservations have risen from 1,900 to 3,500 (84% increase).  

Melanie Feltmate with Camp Fire youth in the background.

“Melanie has been incredibly instrumental in helping evolve Camp Fire into a robust youth development organization and scaling it out into the Central Oregon community with intent, integrity and inspiration,” Kubota says. “She’s particularly skilled in developing and implementing quality control systems and, in her new position, she’ll be focused on strengthening systems across the organization, from human resources and hiring to onboarding, culture, policies and procedures, client registration, compliance, and more. We’re so grateful for all that Melanie has brought to Camp Fire and feel confident she’ll continue to thrive in her new position!”

Specific questions about jobs can be directed to jobs@campfireco.org or 541.382.4682. 

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INTERVIEW CONTACT:

Kecia Kubota (she/her), Executive Director | Camp Fire Central Oregon
info@campfireco.org; (541) 205-9146

GENERAL MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Joey Hamilton (he/his), Marketing & Development Director | Camp Fire Central Oregon
joey@campfireco.org; (541) 316-8006

About Camp Fire Central Oregon
Founded in 1910, Camp Fire is a national youth development organization that engages kids and teens in building essential skills. Its mission is to connect youth to the outdoors, to each other, and to themselves. A proud affiliate, Camp Fire Central Oregon has ignited youth potential since 1916 through experience-based programs that spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster belonging. Programs include afterschool and no-school day options, teen leadership, STEAM and environmental education, and summer camps—all designed to help youth thrive. Through hands-on learning, real-world problem-solving, and meaningful relationships, young people discover who they are, what they care about, and how to make a difference. 

Learn more at campfireco.org.