What started as a summer project by retired park ranger Robert "Bear" Mitchell — 12 campers and 3 counselors on a borrowed acre — has grown into a year-round outdoor education program spanning 20 acres of forested wilderness along the Deschutes River.
Today our team of 12 full-time staff and over 40 seasonal counselors serve hundreds of young people each year, teaching them to paddle, hike, climb, build, and lead — skills that go far beyond the trail.
Every program is designed to challenge, inspire, and build confidence — with safety as our foundation.
Focus, patience, and precision. Our certified range instructors guide campers from first arrow to bullseye.
Canoeing, swimming, and water safety. Lifeguard-staffed waterfront on a pristine mountain lake.
Map, compass, and trail skills. From nature walks to full-day backcountry treks for older campers.
Bird identification, plant ecology, and wildlife tracking. Learning to read the forest like a book.
Indoor wall and natural rock face climbing. Certified belayers, proper gear, and progressive skill levels.
Group challenges, peer mentoring, and the junior counselor program for returning campers ages 14-16.
2023 — Oregon Outdoor Education Excellence Award
2022 — Bend Chamber Community Impact Award
2020 — American Camp Association Accreditation
2018 — Governor's Award for Youth Service
Pine Ridge Pathfinders is located at 42100 Cascade Lakes Hwy, Bend, OR 97702 — just 20 minutes west of downtown Bend in the Deschutes National Forest. Contact us to schedule a tour or attend a family orientation session.