S’more Business

School’s almost out, and Central Oregon’s summer camps are gearing up for another season of adventure. From rugged backcountry excursions to classic campfire sing-alongs, these programs don’t just create happy campers, they fuel local businesses, support jobs and turn the region’s incomparable outdoors into an immersive experience for leadership, resilience and tons of fun.

By drawing on the area’s mountains, rivers, forests and deserts, these programs are evolving in new ways to deepen connections to nature and expand access to more campers—an invaluable benefit to families. But as funding sources shift, organizations are adapting with strategic partnerships and diversified revenue streams to stay competitive, and to continue creating lanyards and lifelong memories.

A Tradition of Outdoor Adventure

Summer camps in Bend have been a tradition dating back to its logging-camp days and today, they need to adapt and evolve to remain vital. Camp Fire Central Oregon, for example, began in 1916 when newcomers flocking to the timber industry wanted their girls to learn outdoors skills for life in their new environs. The camp thrives today, and is open to all. Since 1935, Camp Tamarack taps into the power of the Deschutes National Forest in Sisters to inspire campers and offers counselor-in-training programs that develop leadership.  The sight of teepees dotting Shevlin Park signals another year of Cougar Camp. Beginning in the early 1980s, Bend Park and Recreation has offered a classic experience, from the creation of camp names, songs and skits to a family barbecue before kids overnight in the teepees as a Bend rite of passage.

The Path to Camp Ownership

Summer camps provide leadership development to counselors, and Chance Caruso’s outdoor-education career began while he was a camper at R.A.D. Camps. The camp was founded in 2008, and Caruso took the reins in 2021. He has maintained its focus on true wilderness experiences, offering adventures in more than 50 backcountry locations within a two-hour radius of Bend, from desert to rivers, creeks, mountain lakes and forests.

As a child, the young entrepreneur had unknowingly absorbed business skills by overhearing his mother, a real estate agent, on speaker phone as she sold houses and negotiated deals.

“I just slowly took things in over years and years and years, so it’s always been natural for me to be able to do that type of thing,” he said.

The company has the advantage of possessing rare, highly sought-after special-use permits for the Deschutes and Willamette national forests. Caruso continues the camp’s focus on free play, while developing ease in nature, with leave-no-trace practices and no electronics.

R.A.D. Camp has wide appeal, including for families relocating from urban areas that want their children to develop outdoor skills, not unlike Bend’s timber industry families a century ago. Clients have expanded from locals to visitors from across the country and some from abroad. Caruso cites the camp’s flexible, single-day trips which appeal to vacationing families.

Meeting Growing Demand

As Bend continues to grow, so does the demand for diverse and enriching youth programs. Luckily, new camps are stepping in to meet that need. Cascade Adventure Mountain Programs (C.A.M.P.) Bend is one example, launched last year by Drew Hornbeck who drew on decades of experience in adventure and wilderness therapy to create a summer camp focused on leadership and personal growth through outdoor experiences. The focus also underscores how offering a niche program can be essential for standing out and gaining traction when launching a new business.

“Whether it’s paddleboarding, hiking, caving, mountain biking or camping, we’re there for a purpose—to create more insight, awareness, resiliency and personal growth within the context of becoming a leader,” said Hornbeck.

He requires staff to have related degrees or significant outdoor education experience to achieve a high-quality, safe, inclusive environment, emphasizing both physical and emotional well-being. As a result, personnel is the largest business expense. To sustain the camp year-round, he is expanding into after-school and business team-building programs.

Accessibility is key to the financial models for camps such as Camp Fire, C.A.M.P. Bend and R.A.D. Camps, with tuition and business sponsorships generating funds to subsidize enrollment for underserved kids.

Camps Innovate to Thrive

As summer camps face evolving financial pressures, some are seeking commercial partnerships or offering specialized programs to stay viable and fulfill their mission to serve local children and families. Camp Fire Central Oregon, for example, is addressing federal budget cuts by seeking alternative funding sources.

To adapt, Executive Director Kecia Kubota is focusing on diversifying revenue through business sponsorships and individual donations. A recent grant enabled the hiring of a marketing and development director to strengthen outreach and secure corporate partnerships, particularly with businesses that depend on and prioritize outdoor spaces. These efforts aim to sustain programming and expand scholarship opportunities for summer campers.

Camp Fire Central Oregon, a local affiliate of the national nonprofit, hosts about 120 summer campers each week at Tumalo Day Camp, a traditional outdoor experience with optional overnight stays for older kids and a nine-week, elementary school-based day camp with themed activities, catering to working families. The emphasis is on fostering stewardship of the natural world and preparing campers for becoming valuable employees and contributing citizens.

Another example of creative funding and marketing partnerships is from C.A.M.P. Bend, which has leaned on strategic partnerships to build momentum. A key collaboration with Bend Park and Recreation District played a pivotal role in boosting enrollment this year, generating 50 signups the first day it was posted, Hornbeck said. He also relies on a mix of digital and grassroots efforts, from boosted social media ads to old-school methods such as posting flyers in local businesses and hosting booths at community events. Hornbeck’s personal networks helped with inaugural trips last year—families that knew him through his two teenage daughters trusted his expertise.

The trust and tradition of Central Oregon summer camps offer more than play. With another summer comes a new wave of kids ready to grow under open skies with camps working to create something bigger—for families, the community and the wild places that make it all possible.

More Camp Fun

Summer Skate Camp 2025 is open for registration, offering a week-long skateboarding experience for all levels from June 16 to August 29 in Central Oregon. The camp will provide opportunities to learn and improve skateboarding skills, design tech deck skate parks, create art, and more. Learn more about Board House and their summer camps here.