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. 29, 2024 – It’s official: Camp Fire Central Oregon is opening its doors to youth in La Pine, launching its Camp Fire Afterschool (CFA) program on Monday, Dec. 2 at La Pine Elementary. Up to 30 kids in Grades K-5 who attend not only La Pine Elementary but also Rosland Elementary will experience a safe, welcoming and enriching place to land, learn and laugh when daily classes are done.

The opening of CFA in La Pine reflects Camp Fire’s quick response to the sudden closure of the HUB program this fall, which provided essential afterschool services for dozens of families in the La Pine area. Bend-La Pine School District formally asked Camp Fire to step in, given the inclusive nonprofit youth organization already operated three successful afterschool programs in the region, including one in South County at Three Rivers School.

Leadership at Camp Fire rallied to gather input from the La Pine community and create a solid plan to roll out CFA in multiple phases. The challenge? Program costs—to the tune of $150,000—and a lightning-quick hiring campaign to secure the right staff for CFA in La Pine and to open more spots at the Three Rivers School location. Within mere weeks, however, initial financial goals were met. Contributing to this particular Camp Fire coffer: PacificSource Community Solutions, St. Charles Health System, Sunriver Christian Fellowship Endowment Fund, First Interstate Bank, Rotary Club of La Pine and both individual and corporate donors.

“With deep gratitude, we’re announcing the big news that Camp Fire Central Oregon has secured the necessary funding from a handful of generous community, private and public donors to ensure afterschool funding for this current year,” says Melanie Feltmate, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s program director. “With program costs in place, we’re rolling out CFA in La Pine and matching prior HUB afterschool rates for 2024-2025. However, we hope Bend-La Pine School district will ask us to continue our work next year and beyond, which means, as a nonprofit, Camp Fire will need ongoing financial support to sustain this program as well as fund potential additional programs, such as future No School Day Camps and summer camps in the La Pine area as well.” 

Along with other Camp Fire leadership, Logan Betts, CFA—South County program manager, has been busy hiring staff and solidifying program details. Meanwhile, Avara Roberts, the CFA—South County coordinator, has been putting structure around setting up the site at La Pine Elementary. 

Four CFA staff members gather round a table for training.

Camp Fire Afterschool-South County leadership train two new staff members. Pictured left to right: Avara Roberts, Camp Fire Afterschool—South County Coordinator; Logan Betts, Camp Fire Afterschool—South County Program Manager; Adriana Martinez, CFA Staff Member; and Pricilla Ramirez, CFA Staff Member.

“We had just gotten our new CFA program off to a great start at Three Rivers School when we learned about the need in La Pine,” Betts says. “Ever since then, it’s been pedal to the metal, and our Camp Fire crew has been incredible, dedicating a lot of extra hours around planning and logistics. We’ve already added spots to our existing program at Three Rivers School. Now, we will offer La Pine its own CFA program, expanding program availability and accessibility on December 2. Key to our success are not only our current staff and leadership but the new hires, who are all extremely passionate about working with youth! It’s going to be so much fun!”

Of note, CFA youth from Rosland Elementary will be bused from their school to La Pine Elementary, where they will participate in CFA. All CFA-South County program details and registration links, including those for both La Pine Elementary and Three Rivers School locations, are available on a dedicated webpage: https://campfireco.org/south-county-afterschool/. Questions can be emailed to Camp Fire Central Oregon info@campfireco.org.

INTERVIEW CONTACTS:
Melanie Feltmate (she/her/hers), Program Manager | Camp Fire Central Oregon
info@campfireco.org; (541) 539-6336
Logan Betts (she/her/hers), Program Manager | Camp Fire Central Oregon
logan@campfireco.org; (541) 205-9203

GENERAL MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Katie Roberts (she/her/hers), Marketing Coordinator | Camp Fire Central Oregon
katie@campfireco.org; (541) 299-2812

About Camp Fire Central Oregon

Founded in 1910, Camp Fire is a national organization that actively engages youth and teens in building essential skills for life. Camp Fire Central Oregon has been a local leader in youth development since 1916. The organization provides out-of-school time, teen service and leadership, camp and environmental programs. Young people want to shape the world. Camp Fire provides the opportunity to help them find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.

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