An outdoor-oriented summer day camp is gearing up for its second year of offering Central Oregon children a chance to learn and grow while experiencing outdoor adventures.

Founder Drew Hornbeck is looking forward to working with the Central Oregon community through the youth summer camp, Cascade Adventure Mountain Programs, or C.A.M.P. Bend.

Hornbeck brings kids ages 10 to 15 to the Deschutes National Forest, state parks in the area and on other day trips throughout Central Oregon. He wants to make sure kids have fun, appreciate the outdoors and gain leadership skills throughout.

“So many people love spending time outside. A lot of people, that’s why they moved to Central Oregon, because of the natural beauty and the surrounding wilderness,” said Hornbeck. “Getting and involving young people at an early age and helping them build the skill and confidence to enjoy it, I think is really important.”

Hornbeck hired a professional staff and emphasized that camps are led by experienced guides. Last year, he formed a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. He feels strongly about providing access to adventure activities to those he can, and donated approximately $10,000 worth of services to the Boys & Girls Club of Bend last summer, he said.

Over spring break, Hornbeck led adventure trips with kids from Boys & Girls Club of Bend.

His college-age daughter Anika, who loves the outdoors and is a lifeguard and wilderness first responder, helped him run the business last summer. She led some of the trips and helped advertise.

“I have a history of running really high-end services run by professionals and so that’s really what C.A.M.P. Bend is about, but I also have a history of giving back to the community,” said Hornbeck, who has worked with various nonprofits to serve children in need. “I also use our resources and donate services and provide discounted services and scholarships to those that otherwise couldn’t afford these adventures.”

This year, C.A.M.P. Bend partnered with the Bend Park & Recreation District. Nearly half of the available spots for this summer were snapped up on the first day. Through the partnership, the program is also providing after-school programming on Wednesdays, when Bend-La Pine Schools lets out early.

This upcoming summer, C.A.M.P. Bend is offering three experiences: a stand-up paddleboarding camp; a leadership camp, which includes adventure activities; and a camp including multiple sports such as biking, hiking, climbing and paddling. Hornbeck has 10 weeks of programming and 13 spots per session. There are scholarships available.

The camps cost $450 for three days and $595 for four days. Families interested in participating can register at campbend.com.

“It is very focused on leadership and personal development. So that’s one of our big differentiators, this thing that I’ve developed called ‘outdoors with intent,’” he said. “We layer that curriculum and that philosophy on top of everything that we do with young people. Not only are we paddling, but why are we doing it, what can I learn about this and how can I apply that to the other areas of my life, that learning?”

So far, the summer programs are all day trips, though Hornbeck is looking forward to adding some overnight activities.

“I retired from a 25-year career in behavioral health about a year and a half ago, and I thought, what’s next for me? I’m really missing spending time outdoors with other people, I really love the idea of introducing more adventures to kids and so it was a no-brainer for me,” he said. “It’s really about my passion for introducing people to the outdoors and using the outdoors to build resiliency and skill in people, increase their confidence and communication and their ability to problem-solve and deal with conflict.”

Hornbeck hopes to open more opportunities for families and businesses in the future.