Camp Fire C. Oregon to celebrate 27th annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day with free ice skating at The Pavilion

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is this week! The national holiday that strives to lift up today’s kids and teens is officially this Thursday, March 21. However, Camp Fire Central Oregon is celebrating a day early with a FREE ice-skating party for all Central Oregon youth after school on Wednesday, March 20 in Bend.

The celebration is timed to coincide with Bend-La Pine Schools’ early-release Wednesday so lots of kids can attend.

“Growing up today is hard,” says Nadia Kelem, Camp Fire Central Oregon’s community engagement coordinator. “Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®, which happens in the same month as Camp Fire’s birthday, is a way for all of us to pause and focus on what’s incredible about today’s youth, tell them why they matter, and really celebrate them. And because kids are incredible for so many reasons, we’re offering this celebration plus some great ways for adults to tell the kids in their lives why they are incredible. It’s going to be a fabulous day of fun, centered around helping kids thrive!” 

All the awesome details:

• WHAT - ​Camp Fire Central Oregon celebrates the 27th Annual AIK Day with free ice skating for any person under 18 years old. Must be accompanied by an adult, limited to the first 200 kids in the door. Youth are encouraged to bring helmets for skating as supplies are limited. This is a FREE EVENT and is open to the public. No previous involvement with Camp Fire Central Oregon is required. The event includes plenty of time on the ice, plus unique AIK Day activities, including a STEM table, photo booth and crafts, plus Camp Fire birthday cake for all!

• WHEN - Wednesday, March 20, 1:00-3:45 p.m. Arrive by 3:00 p.m. to allow for time to skate or do other activities.

• WHERE - The Pavilion, 1001 SW Bradbury Dr, Bend, OR 97702

• WHO - Camp Fire Central Oregon, and the youth and families of our community

• WHY - How often do we stop to tell the kids and teens in our lives how incredible they are? This is why Camp Fire founded AIK Day in 1997 as an encouragement to activate millions of adults across the U.S. to write/tell a young person in their life what makes them incredible.

• MORE INFORMATION - campfireco.org /aikd and info@campfireco.org

Every year, on the third Thursday of March, thousands of adults send notes, emails, letters, texts, and videos to encourage and inspire young people across the country. 2024 AIKD is officially March 21 (Camp Fire's birthday!), though we will be celebrating locally with our event on March 20.​ ​We will be encouraging adults beforehand—and at the Mach 20 event—to write meaningful, encouraging, and empowering letters to the young people in their lives. Anyone with fun pictures or letters can spread their appreciation for kids on social media using the hashtag: #KIDDAY. Official downloadable stationary and a coloring page are available on Camp Fire’s website: https://campfireco.org/aikd.

Participating in AIK Day is a simple, meaningful way to let youth know how much they are appreciated. Words are powerful. Young lives are changed by this day and a simple act of your encouragement, love, and kindness.