At Camp Fire Central Oregon, staff training is more than preparation—it’s a responsive, evolving journey of learning, reflection, and growth deeply rooted in the needs of youth, staff, and the broader community. By embracing diverse perspectives, centering on equity, and fostering a culture of continuous development, we create an environment where staff feel valued, engaged, and empowered to lead with authenticity. 

This commitment strengthens retention, deepens relationships, and upholds our dedication to safe, inclusive spaces where teamwork and lifelong friendships thrive. When our staff grow, so do the young people they mentor—creating a ripple effect of leadership, resilience, and connection that lasts far beyond a single program or season.

But how exactly does Camp Fire’s training evolve to meet the changing needs of youth, staff, and the community?

For starters, our training centers around preparing staff to be strong and safe adults who feel empowered to guide youth in ways that can help them thrive, according to Sam Ward, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s program manager. Diving deeper, this is accomplished “through trainings that explain meaningful developmental relationships and how to build those with kids.”

Camp Fire also recognizes the transformative power of observation and data, particularly when applied effectively. As Program Director Melanie Feltmate explains, it’s a key practice for Camp Fire to collect insights from firsthand youth experiences, along with consistent feedback from program participants, their parents/guardians, and staff. This valuable information serves as the foundation for developing intentional, responsive, and impactful training programs.

“We are constantly evaluating the way our staff deliver programs to our youth, and we take those observations and turn them into what our next professional development is going to be, so our professional development is constantly evolving,” Feltmate says.

For instance, based on feedback, Camp Fire has learned that when kids feel welcome and safe in an environment, they’re more likely to experience connection and relationships, grow understanding around a sense of self, build confidence, and discover sparks and strengths. In response, Camp Fire has incorporated a powerful, proven professional development training called “Structure and Clear Limits.” Through this program, staff learn how to provide youth with guidelines, set expectations, and uphold limits designed to support the well-being of youth and the staff. Then, they can put what they’re learning into practice. 

“One example of this being applied is we had a youth who was struggling quite a bit in a program, didn’t quite understand the structure, and didn’t want to follow the structure either,” Ward recalls.  “Although it was a little difficult for the staff member to do so, the staff member shared with me that they followed the ‘Structure and Clear Limits’ training we had (provided) and remembered that holding that structure and the clear boundaries is actually a really kind thing to do and can help youth to feel safer in our program.”

Using what that staff member learned, they were able to connect with the youth, who had been very upset and dysregulated, and then help this young person turn their day around, join an activity, and have a wonderful time creating connections with others. 

Since connection is the ultimate goal, Camp Fire staff trainings are designed to actively support this aim by fostering skills that strengthen developmental relationships. But what does this approach really look like and feel like in practice?

Effective developmental relationships are “more than just showing care,” Feltmate says. “It’s challenging growth. It’s expanding horizons. It’s providing support, and it’s also sharing voice with kids, teaching our staff how to let the kids be partners with them in the programming, not just kids who receive the program.”

Without a doubt, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s training program is a dynamic, responsive journey that prioritizes the growth of both staff and youth. By continuously adapting to the evolving needs of the community, emphasizing developmental relationships, and integrating feedback, Camp Fire creates a supportive environment where staff are empowered to foster meaningful connections with youth.

This commitment not only enhances the quality of mentorship but also contributes to lasting impacts that resonate far beyond the programs themselves. Through intentional training, Camp Fire ensures that staff and youth alike are set on a path of growth, leadership, and resilience … a path upon which everyone has an opportunity to thrive.