Camp Fire Central Oregon | Light the Fire Within

The Camp Fire Experience

Both my kids absolutely love Camp Fire camp. It has been a highlight of their summers for the past 3 years that they have participated.

Caroline S. - Parent, Camp Fire Central Oregon


My daughter could not wait for each and every day of Tumalo Day Camp. She was excited by the opportunities presented by the outdoor setting, along with the songs, fun, and games coordinated by staff throughout the day.

Sarah H. - Parent, Camp Fire Central Oregon


 
 

Camp Fire camps are really fun! I enjoyed helping people through the Teen Service Challenges and I would highly recommend them to other teens because it's a good feeling when you help others. You basically get something out of giving back. And I love the Camp Fire leaders too! They're all really nice, fun and upbeat...and supportive to bring you up if you're feeling down.

M. Alex - 6th Grader, Camp Fire Central Oregon

THRIVE{OLOGY}

Our Proven Path to Youth Success

Discover sparks, gain self-confidence, and learn life-changing life skills to thrive now! Thrive{ology} is our research-based program framework founded on the pillars of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and it works:

01.

IDENTIFY YOUR SPARKS

Sparks are the things that make you come alive! What excites you, gives you energy, motivation, and purpose? It can be an activity (basketball) or a cause (social justice).

02.

DEVELOP A GROWTH MINDSET

Learn to push past obstacles, take risks, believe you can learn a new skill at any time, and don’t give up. Kids and adults with a growth mindset are more successful in life.

03.

LEARN GOAL MANAGEMENT

Decide what you want to strive for and determine how to get there. Learn to adjust your plan if needed or what kind of support and accountability you want.

04.

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Find your “aha moments,” whether it’s learning from a mistake or failure, realizing why you were successful, what you like or don’t like, what you want, what you’re proud of…

We're all about the NOW

Most youth organizations talk about preparing kids for the future or future leadership positions. This is great, but we believe kids and teens are leaders now. They don't need to wait for the future to shape the world.

We help youth be the best 7-year-old they can be, or the best 17-year-old. We guide kids and teens of all ages to boost their confidence and unlock their potential so they can thrive—where they are now.

Thrive{ology} is our research-based approach to teaching every kid or teen how to be a better friend, student, son, daughter, member of society, sister, brother...today.

Every Camp Fire program across the country uses Thrive{ology} to teach youth to identify sparks, develop a growth mindset, learn goal management, and take time to reflect.

As they learn these life-changing life skills, kids and teens are also more likely to:

  • Have a sense of purpose
  • Achieve their full potential
  • Demonstrate social competence
  • Lead a healthy lifestyle
  • Be environmentally conscious
  • Stay in school

TRAINED, CARING STAFF

We call our highly trained staff and volunteers Spark Champions. Their mentor-like support is key to supporting your kids, helping them thrive, and unlocking these critical life skills.

Youth need people in their lives who challenge growth, provide support, share power, and expand possibilities. By providing this support and challenge, Camp Fire’s leaders serve a foundational role in building youth’s ability to thrive.

Youth also see Camp Fire staff as their spark champions. In a 2016 survey, 83% of youth said adults in Camp Fire encourage them to explore the things they are interested in, and 82% of youth said adults in Camp Fire help them solve problems instead of telling them what to do.

We're experts at what we do, and we care about developing thriving, successful youth!

Inclusion

We welcome every kind of kid, from every kind of family,
from every walk of life.

We take pride in our long-standing commitment to inclusivity and diversity, no matter the ability, background, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, non-religion, or any other category people use to define themselves or others.

We were the first multiracial, multicultural, and nonsectarian organization for girls in America when we began in 1910, and today we strive to continue in that spirit and welcome anyone and everyone to Camp Fire.

Click here to learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Camp Fire’s Statement of Inclusion:

Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status, and any other category people use to define themselves or others. We strive to create safe and inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships.

See our President and CEO Cathy Tisdale’s 2012 piece in The New York Times, It Pays to Be Inclusive.

Campers and their Spark Champion celebrate after winning a canoe race

Our Promise

Young people want to shape the world.

Camp Fire provides the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.

In Camp Fire, it begins now.

Light the fire within