Environmental program coming to Sisters

A new environmental program for youth, launched in early 2023, is coming to Sisters this fall, thanks to a partnership between Camp Fire Central Oregon and Sisters Middle School. Registration opened on August 6 and spots are still available.

The Sisters-based program, called “ExplOregon: Project Good Earth,” is open to kids in grades 6-8 and features five fabulous Fridays of afterschool outdoor exploration, enrichment, and learning.

According to James DiRosa, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s outdoor and environmental coordinator, “ExplOregon was born out of Camp Fire’s mission to connect youth to the outdoors, to each other, and to themselves. This program is unique in that we do nature-based activities and adventures that touch many layers of this mission. We’re outside, engaging in the environment, and teaching kids to better understand and appreciate the natural world through dynamic ways, including art, nature activities, outdoor exploration, science, and more.

“We’ve been running variations of the program in other Central Oregon communities and we’re thrilled to bring it to Sisters,” he said. “It’s intended to be a great complement to the middle school’s well-known focus on environmental education, giving more youth access to such programs and building more engagement around the outdoors.”

Project Good Earth runs Fridays, September 15 through October 20. (No meeting October 13.) It is open to 12 youth, so DiRosa is encouraging families in Sisters Country to sign up their middle schoolers as soon as possible. Registration and more information can be found at https://campfireco.org/exploregon/. Camp Fire Central Oregon offers financial assistance; details available here: http://campfireco.org/financial-assistance/.