Morgan Schaening sitting in snow at the base of the mountains.

Morgan Schaening enjoys a breathtaking moment in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Argentina, where he hiked for five days and slept in little mountain refugios along a stunning lake.

Morgan (he, his) discovered his spark for youth development and education living abroad in Australia, where he worked with educators to design student leadership expeditions to the far reaches of the world. These programs focused on building character and life skills through cross-cultural immersion, community engagement projects and leadership activities. His curiosity for transformational leadership grew as managing director for a youth leadership and global education company, and developed further as an executive consultant designing organizational development strategies.

We’re thrilled to have him on board, and we invite you to join us in giving Morgan a big Camp Fire welcome! Learn more about Morgan through this in-depth Q&A interview!

Q: Tell us about your personal and professional background. Also, what drew you to Camp Fire Central Oregon?
A: I grew up in a small beach town in Southern California before setting off to San Diego for college, then on to Australia and New Zealand where I spent the better part of a decade working for various leadership expedition companies hosting high school student groups in destinations around the world. Our work focused on building character and life skills through cross-cultural immersion, community engagement projects and leadership activities. Upon returning to the U.S., with the goal to design these kinds of programs for American middle and high schools, I landed in Bend where I’ve been living and loving the great outdoors with my wife, daughter, and our dog.  

Joining Camp Fire felt like the perfect fit for me—seeking a purpose-driven organization and connecting with the community to make a positive impact on others and the world. The mission of Camp Fire resonates with the kind of work I’ve been doing with educators and young people for nearly two decades. The Camp Fire Central Oregon team is genuinely committed to creating a welcoming space and engaging programs for young people to build emotional intelligence and resilience, as they navigate the exciting journey of childhood.  

Q: Describe your role as Program Director?
A: As Camp Fire Central Oregon's Program Director, I’m committed to serving the needs of our community by delivering safe and meaningful programming that connects young people to Camp Fire’s mission of promoting self-discovery, connection to others, and engagement with nature. I'm equally committed to supporting the dedicated staff that bring our programs to life.

Q: What are your sparks?
A: As an avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast, I enjoy any opportunity to retreat into the wilderness. My soul is full when I’m immersed in the solitude of the forest, out for a mountain bike ride or skiing through the snow-covered trees. Sharing these experiences with friends and family only adds to the joy. 

Q: What are some professional and personal goals? 
A: My goal as an organizational leader is to create opportunities for my team to grow and develop their leadership skills, and create a culture where people feel supported, challenged and inspired to deliver their best work. On the personal side, my goals include spending quality time with my family, nurturing my own physical and mental wellbeing, and continuously learning through reading and travel.       

Q: What's your favorite part of working with youth?
A:  I love helping young people navigate the transitory phase of adolescence through self discovery, experiential learning, and community engagement. Growing up can be a challenge for many, with lots of new challenges and decisions to make. My work in youth development has been focused on providing young people with the skills, guidance, and experiences to navigate uncertainty of life with confidence. Empowering young people to know themselves and the world around them is a rewarding outcome for me both personally and professionally. 

Q: Why does your job—and Camp Fire—matter? 
A:  Our work at Camp Fire provides families in our community with a wonderful opportunity to support their children’s development through thoughtfully designed programs that focus on inclusion and learning in a fun environment. With a dedicated staff and opportunities for financial assistance, we are able to offer all families who are interested the chance to enjoy one of our year round youth development programs and that is a wonderful benefit to the community of Bend and South County.