It is to be expected that this wide range of subgenres possess their own unique style of metal. Thus beginners can have immense difficulty in finding out where to start listening to the genre. Metal can, however, be broken down into levels of sorts, each becoming progressively heavier and more complex. 

Level One: Introductory 

The first level of metal music is introductory metal, demonstrated perfectly by the record “Meteora” by Linkin Park. “Meteora” is a relic from the peak of the nü-metal genre in the early 2000s. Nu metal was pioneered in the 1990s by bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot and peaked in terms of both popularity and quality with Linkin Park’s first two records, “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora,” released in 2000 and 2003 respectively.

“Meteora” contains the hallmarks of its subgenre: shorter songwriting almost completely devoid of solos, elements of electronic music rather than the traditional instruments of a metal band, although all of those instruments are still present, and a vocal style with elements of rapping,screaming and growling. 

Although almost every track on “Meteora” is legendary in its own right, three standout tracks are  “Faint,” “Figure.09” and “Numb.” “Faint” begins with its instantly recognizable electronic beat, which dominates the instrumental portion of the song. Percussion and guitar only enter around the chorus. As with almost every Linkin Park track of the time, the talent of rapping vocalist Mike Shinoda is elegantly mixed with the voice of lead vocalist Chester Bennington. 

“Figure.09” trades the electronic sound of “Faint” for guitar-led instrumental more reminiscent of traditional metal. 

“Numb” is a deeply emotional ballad with electronic beats intermixing perfectly with guitar riffs and percussion for the entirety of the track similarly to the harmonizing of Shinoda’s backing and Bennington’s lead vocals, which together create an unforgettable sound.

Level Two: Standard

The second level is standard metal, where the record “Painkiller” by Judas Priest is a perfect example. The musical style of “Painkiller” is a perfect evolution of the first metal played by Black Sabbath, with evolution brought on by changing musical capabilities. The album was released in 1990 along with other legendary metal records such as “Rust in Peace” by Megadeth and “Cowboys From Hell” by Pantera. 

The standout tracks of “Painkiller” are the titular track “Painkiller,” “Metal Meltdown,” and “One Shot at Glory.” “Painkiller” opens with its signature aggressive drums which are shortly joined by guitar and vocals, telling the story of the painkiller, a mechanical avenging angel who has come to save mankind from its devastation.

The complexity of “Metal Meltdown” is on full display from the instant the track opens with its masterfully technical guitar play, and although drums and vocals also make up a large part of the song, the guitar remains the most memorable part of the track. 

“One Shot at Glory” is a glorious anthem of courage and heroism, completed by inspiring vocal delivery and energizing instrumental.

Level Three: Experimental

The third level is experimental metal, and with it comes “Leviathan” by Mastodon. “Leviathan” is a concept album which melds the story and literary themes of “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville with the monstrous riffs of Mastodon. Mastodon blends the quas-classical complexity of progressive metal with the slower downtuned riffs of the sludge metal subgenre to create a sound that is almost wholly unique, and “Leviathan” is their masterpiece.

Each one of  the record’s tracks is a beautiful composition of its own, as goes with all of Mastodon’s work, but the best of the best are “Blood and Thunder,” “Naked Burn” and “Hearts Alive.” 

In “Blood and Thunder” the commands of Captain Ahab to his crew as they hunt the white whale who is Ahab’s “holy grail” make up the majority of the lyrics, with the riffs of guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher completely dominating the instrumental.

“Naked Burn” is in my opinion the greatest metal track of all time. The chugging riff is a wondrous demonstration of Mastodon’s prowess, and the protracted cries of “save yourself, don’t wait on me” which are barely audible beneath the guitar are quite simply haunting. One must listen to this track to truly understand its beauty. 

“Hearts Alive” is the nearly 14 minute penultimate track of “Leviathan,” composed of mostly instrumental passages. The song is an unforgettable testament to Mastodon’s ability not only to craft beautifully technical music, but also to impart complex themes and stories through that music. 

Level Four: Intricate  

The fourth level includes some of the most complex and heaviest subgenres and albums metal has to offer, including “From Mars to Sirius” by the French band Gojira. “From Mars to Sirius” is a record of the technical death metal genre, or tech death, for short, which is a subgenre of death metal which focuses on instrumental and songwriting complexity.

The three greatest tracks on “From Mars to Sirius” are “Ocean Planet,” “The Heaviest Matter of the Universe” and “Flying Whales.” “Ocean Planet” features a short but technical guitar riff, which repeats for most of the track, sometimes accompanied by vocals and always followed by a moment of respite. This riff is quite enchanting and is alone enough to make a more than memorable track, despite amazing vocals and drumming. 

“The Heaviest Matter of the Universe” is an aggressive joyride, never slowing down and never giving the listener a moment to catch their breath, and is all the better for it. Unlike other tracks, which are dominated by one aspect, the vocals, guitar and drums all perfectly balance one another out, creating a listening experience to remember. 

“Flying Whales” showcases the intermixing of slow, almost melancholic instrumental passages with the aggressive weight of tech death music, taking the listener on a journey for the duration of the almost eight minute track.

From the simplest nü-metal track to the most complex progressive metal, there is a beauty that can be found in metal and nowhere else, and if I’ve managed to impart even a fraction of this beauty on my readers, then I’ve done my job well.

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Metal appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

This change has come at the same time as titans of traditional metal rest their laurels. The rising stars of modern metal are not remotely similar to, for example, the legendary band Megadeth, who released their final, self-titled album on Jan. 28. 

The band was formed in 1983 after guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica due to his issues with substance abuse. The current lineup of the band includes the aforementioned Mustaine on vocals and guitar, James LoMenzo on bass, Dirk Verbeuren on drums and Teemu Mäntysaari on guitar. 

Megadeth’s discography began on May 17, 1985 with the release of “Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good.” Megadeth then went on to release seventeen records including hits such as “Rust In Peace”in 1990 and “Countdown to Extinction” in 1992, ending in 2026 with the record “Megadeth.”

The record contains 11 tracks, which are as follows: “Tipping Point,” “I Don’t Care,” “Hey God?!,” “Let There Be Shred,” “Puppet Parade,” “Another Bad Day,” “Made To Kill,” “Obey The Call,” “I Am War,” “The Last Note” and “Ride The Lightning (Metallica cover).” 

“I Don’t Care” opens immediately with Mustaine listing the things he does not care about. The tough guy act coming from a more than 60-year-old musician is many things; pleasant is not one of them. The instrumental is still enjoyable, but the lyrics are borderline painful to listen to, making this the worst track on the record.

Although a sonically pleasant track, “Hey God?!” could have been much better. Even as Mustaine calls out to God, saying “[he’s] had a lot of things on [his] mind” it feels as if he has nothing of importance to say. 

“Puppet Parade” is easily a standout track of the album. The instrumentals, vocals and lyrics are all well done and enjoyable to listen to.

“I Am War” speaks to similar militaristic themes as many Megadeth tracks, but with a different tone. “I Am War” seems to almost revel in war and all that it brings, providing a shakeup to the usual anti-war commentary one would’ve come to expect from the band. Overall this track is good enough but relatively forgettable, aside from the unique perspective.

“The Last Note” is a more introspective track than any other on the record. Here, Mustaine takes a moment to reflect on his storied career before lamenting its end with a bittersweet mix of pride and regret. Mustaine certainly has a lot to be proud of and he knows it, and he also recognizes that his legacy will outlive him, his “last note [will] never die.”  

Contrary to the band’s storied career, the record has been a disappointment to many. Bennett Ardeljan, a Summit sophomore and Megadeth fan said “If I saw [the album] in a record store, I would probably hide it behind other CDs and records so other people wouldn’t have to listen to it.”

Scathing as this review may be, it isn’t wrong. The majority of the album’s tracks are average and the standout tracks, good or bad, balance each other out, leaving a record which is mediocre. 

“Megadeth” is not just the end of a popular and influential band, but the end of an era. The once-dominant forces of metal are beginning to fizzle out, and there are almost no true, deserving successors to succeed them. For example, Sleep Token, a rising star in the modern “metal” scene, isn’t truly a metal band, let alone a band which produces quality music. 

Take Sleep Token’s song “Caramel,” which is the most streamed track of their most recent record and according to The New York Times, the single best song of 2025. The track is described to contain elements of “rap-metal, dream-prog, pop-reggaeton, backpack hip-hop, cosplay rock, metalcore.” 

As at least three of these subgenres are of either rock or metal, this song is in large part metal, yet its runtime of four minutes and 51 seconds, contains, by my count, only 104 seconds of guitar. In contrast, a track of comparable success, “The Heart From Your Hate,” by metalcore band Trivium contains four minutes and four seconds of guitar in its four minute and four seconds runtime. 

Guitar is undoubtedly a core part of metal and all its variants or subgenres, so to see it cast aside in a track hailed as the greatest of a year long period is a clear demonstration of what metal is coming to, and what is being lost of traditional metal. 

Now do not mistake me, I have no problem with innovation, but watching the genre that I grew up listening to, and will continue to listen to for all my life, be warped beyond recognition is without a doubt saddening. And make no mistake: This is no swan song, but a last gasp. Although even if this is the end of an era, Megadeth, and metal as a whole, had a good run, and for that I am eternally grateful. 

The post “Megadeth”: Swan Song or Last Gasp? appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

Started in 2017 under a few feet of snow, the now annual FungiFest has attracted all kinds of attendees, with the goal of educating people about — you guessed it — mushrooms! According to the National Library of Medicine, society has a large distrust and fear of mushrooms, called mycophobia, and spread rumors about their deadly toxins. This comes despite only 2% of known mushrooms being toxic. The Central Oregon Mushroom Club aims to set this record straight through their mushroom talks, presentations and museum-like exhibits all featured at FungiFest.

The first thing many notice at the Fungi-Festival — or rather, before the fest — is that there’s nowhere to park. It was hosted at the Sunriver Homeowners’ Aquatic and Recreation Center, which offered 200 parking spots. However, overflow parking was still required at a nearby church. Volunteers said it’s the most people they’ve seen at the event yet. One volunteer, Don Carter, discussed the changes they made this year to accommodate. 

Carter has volunteered at the festival for the last five years with his daughter. Back then, the festival ran out of the Sunriver Observatory, “but obviously it outgrew that location,” he said. This year, Carter was in charge of running an art station for kids to paint, teaching them that mushrooms are friends and not to be feared.

But why has the FungiFest been such a hit with locals? It is truly a mushroom-lover’s paradise, with mushroom coffee, mushroom ice cream and even a mushroom marketplace. However, Carter believes there’s more to it than just excitement. 

“People are curious,” he said. “And I think now more than ever people are trying to play more of a role in where their food is coming from.” 

The quality of the food available in stores is becoming a growing concern for Americans across the country. People have been calling into question the dangers of using pesticides and other chemicals. Just last year, the Charles Boggini Company recalled three different sodas from businesses because several of their additives, including preservatives and dyes, were linked to cancer. 

Redmond High School student Lyric Campbell attended the event with their father and said that chemical processes are important to prevent food from going bad but the manufacturers “don’t have anyone’s best interests at heart.”

Clearly, people have concerns about the use of preservatives in their food, but don’t have an alternative. Campell stated that organic foods are too expensive to be a reliable option, especially for people in low-income situations. 

Popular retailers like Safeway typically demand an extra 40 to 60% for organic produce. Therefore, if someone wanted to save money, get outside, and be more confident in the quality of their food? Then going mushroom foraging seems like a great alternative! Carter believes this fits with “Central Oregon’s unique outdoor culture” and is part of the reason why FungiFest is bringing in so many people year after year.

Ultimately, Sunriver’s FungiFest is a place where outdoors hobbyists and people looking to learn can gather. While there, one would be hard pressed to find a place where a kid wasn’t running around having fun painting or playing with a magnifying glass. The event cultivates a sense of curiosity for all ages. While at first the lectures can seem boring, the level of passion these people have for fungus is enviable. With such big numbers this year, it’s clear FungiFest won’t be going anywhere and could be a Central Oregon tradition for years to come.

The post Central Oregon’s FungiFest Teaches Oregonians to Fetch Their Own Food appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

It is this state of unrest in which United States National Guardsmen have been deployed by President Donald Trump to the streets of cities all across the country: currently Los Angeles, Memphis, Tennessee, Washington, D.C. and Portland, Oregon, with attempts to send guardsmen to Chicago.

But why? National Guard deployments — at least those ordered by Trump during his second term — have been to defend United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and suppress the protests, riots and violence that have plagued America. This violence has arisen from attempts to interfere with or prevent ICE operations, primarily those that involve the deportation of those living in the United States illegally.

Although it may seem surprising, laws such as the Insurrection Act, Code § 12406 and Section 2 of the Militia Act, allow the president to federalize the normally state-controlled National Guard. However, this is only legal in unique circumstances such as open rebellion or when it is impossible or impractical to enforce the law via other means. 

Based on these laws, it is clear to see that the legality of President Trump’s deployments of the National Guard hinge on whether or not he is able to efficiently enforce the law with the resources traditionally available to him. 

Now, it is indisputable that ICE agents have faced remarkable amounts of violence and rioting in response to their operations, which, setting aside the ethics of said ICE operations, are impediments to the enforcement of the law. Armed rioters have attacked ICE facilities with varying levels of force. Some have used rocks or fireworks with others using firearms. Larger scale riots have also broken out in Los Angeles; involving arson, vandalism and attacks on police officers, although these particular riots have been for all intents and purposes quelled. The riots in Los Angeles lasted from June 6 to July 15, 2025.

It should go without saying that rioting, omnipresent agitators and consistent violence makes it almost impossible to properly and efficiently enforce the law. But the question still remains whether or not this violence is enough to invoke the Insurrection Act and similar provisions. 

However history gives a clear answer, in the form of the 1794 Whisky Rebellions. In response to the institution of an unwanted tax, numerous Americans responded to tax collectors with violence, and in response the federal government deployed thousands of militiamen — the historical equivalent of the National Guard — to quell the violence. 

There are numerous other similar examples from across US history, such as when the National Guard or historical equivalent (such as the aforementioned state militias) including in 1954 to enforce desegregation of schools, riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 and riots over police brutality in 1992 among others. 

One of the most recent examples of National Guard deployment as law enforcement and riot control was in Los Angeles in 1992. After a high speed car chase in an attempt to evade arrest, Rodney King was pulled over by four police officers and brutally beaten. 

In response to a video of the incident, people across Los Angeles rose up, attacking citizens and property with whatever improvised weapons they could, ranging from molotov cocktails to their fists. In order to end the riots, President George H.W. Bush invoked the Insurrection Act, deploying thousands of Guardsmen and other federal forces to restore order. All told, the riots lasted three days, with damages totalling more than 60 deaths and $1 billion in property damage. 

Although the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the current situation are not identical, the idea is similar, and the allowance of National Guard deployment can be used as a precedent for the moment at hand. And the precedent is for all intents and purposes the same, as they both involved use of the National Guard to counteract significant violence. Although the current violence is not quite as significant as that of past situations, it is still clear that President Trump is within his power to federalize the National Guard.

Of course, the ideal would be that the country isn’t in a place where National Guard deployments on domestic targets are even considered, but here we are. And although the thought of using the U.S. military on my fellow Americans rightfully leaves a foul taste in my mouth, we are a nation of laws, not one where violent rioters are the arbiters of justice, and if the military is the only way of enforcing this, then so be it.

The post The National Guard Has Been Deployed to American Cities. Here’s Why It’s Legal appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

In just a couple of hours, one of Caldera’s student and counselor-led clubs attracted a wave of people, selling out entirely. The club, Cultural Legacy, was started just three years ago by counselor Morgan Davis. As Caldera is a Spanish immersion school, the club was provided to express a great amount of love and acceptance no matter one’s ethnicity, hoping to unite a variety of students to learn and share about themselves through practices and experiences. 

Cultural Legacy’s table was filled with plenty of food and drinks, provided homemade by student members and their families. Daisy Noeli Chavez, a club leader shared, “our table was a complete success thanks to all the hard work and dedication of our advisors, Veronica Trejo, Morgan Davis and Liz Vargas.”

The club’s table stood out with a variety of decorations, representing Latin countries’ traditional colors and symbols. Many attendees returned multiple times to come back for seconds on their favorite dishes and to chat with students about the club and its purpose at Caldera. 

Authentic Hispanic foods such as empanadas, pozole, Fresca con crema, chicharrones and tamales all sold out at the table, with the club raising a total that day of $1,090.

“I was really happy with our results at the end of the day. I am not surprised people purchased so much of our food because the meals were delicious and our students did an extraordinary job making them,” said Morgan Davis, the team’s head advisor. 

“However I was pleasantly surprised by how much money we ended up making as our goal was to make $500 and we exceeded the expectations,” Davis continued.

The vibes brought to the table helped influence a more cultural environment, rather than feeling like a regular school fundraiser. Members that attended the event with their families to help out preparing the food include Noeli Chávez, Ulises Ventura Santos, Samantha Giovanna Roise, Herandy Ramírez Solorio, Hannah Alicia Lopez and Stefany Guadalupe Tello Ruíz. 

The money raised at the event will help club members go on future field trips to colleges, such as Central Oregon Community College, Oregon State University and Portland-area community colleges. The money will also provide more event opportunities at school like Latino family night, uniting those of Hispanic background and creating a welcoming learning environment to those coming from middle school. 

The post Student Vendors at Caldera Make an Impact appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

This is not a gothic movie. It isn’t the Dust Bowl, nor heavily-industrialized India. This is Oregon in 2025, grappling with the perpetual drought and disaster brought on by climate change. And according to experts, the Trump administration’s policies will only worsen the problem.

In July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a proposal to void the endangerment finding, a crucial decision that granted the government authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Issued in 2009, the finding established that certain greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” 

This finding, which was largely backed by the scientific community, has fueled the agency’s actions in the years since, paving the way for policies such as the regulation of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions in American vehicles.

Opponents have long claimed that the finding is an overstep, granting the EPA far too much power over industry. However, its legitimacy has been supported by the U.S. court system: In a 2010 case, the Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. ruled in favor of regulations imposed under the finding, and the Supreme Court declined to review the case.

For members of the climate advocacy community, a rollback of the endangerment finding is not only distressing, but a perplexing negation of the scientific consensus.

“I think it’s very disappointing to see the rollback on what was very well-supported, scientifically-supported policy that’s been in place for a long time, almost 20 years,” said Neil Baunsgard, Climate Policy Manager at the Bend Environmental Center.

Baunsgard, who has worked in the sustainability field for over a decade, described the EPA’s actions under the Trump administration as a “vibes-based decision-making process” rather than one informed by scientific fact.

Dr. Erica Fleishman, a professor at Oregon State University and director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, shared similar concerns.

“Climate change is creating warmer and drier conditions in general in Oregon and across most of the Western United States,” Fleishman explained. “It’s important to clarify that it’s not what I think. It’s what there’s overwhelming evidence about: that wildfires are becoming larger and that they are becoming more frequent.”

These risks have been felt acutely in Central Oregon, a region that has in recent years been wracked with destructive wildfires. In fact, a recent study conducted by the University of Washington Bothell named Bend the third-smokiest city in the nation. Two other Oregon cities, Medford and Grants Pass, ranked first and second, and Klamath Falls, Roseburg and Eugene were situated in the top 10.

Overturning the endangerment finding would only worsen this problem, allowing manufacturers to resume the production of inefficient and high-emission vehicles. This projected jump in greenhouse gas emissions would be felt globally, but especially in the vulnerable and water-starved West.

“The effects of climate change are likely to happen faster, and they’re likely to be more severe,” Fleishman said of a post-endangerment finding future.

This accelerated progression becomes even more concerning when one considers a recent study on the deadly nature of wildfires. The researchers, who hail from universities nationwide, found that if climate change continues on its projected path, wildfire smoke is expected to kill 70,000 Americans by the middle of the century.

According to experts, studies such as this one support the assertion that the endangerment finding has enshrined for over a decade: Climate change, if left unregulated, will elicit a public health crisis of unbelievable magnitude.

Moves to dismantle the finding are not the only controversial shift in climate policy since President Trump’s inauguration in January. In fact, on the first day of his second term, the president issued an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty dedicated to climate change mitigation (Trump also removed the United States from the pact during his first term; Joe Biden revived the country’s involvement immediately upon his inauguration in 2021).

Trump has also vowed to expand fossil fuel production in the United States, carrying out a pro-oil agenda that can best be described by its rallying cry: “Drill, baby, drill.” In October, the administration drew rancor from environmental advocates for its decision to open Alaska’s Arctic Wildlife Refuge, a swath of historically-protected land, to fracking.

“I think a lot of people are rightfully feeling disempowered with some of the rollbacks and actions on the federal level,” said Baunsgard.

So what can concerned citizens do in this era of policy upheaval? According to Baunsgard, the answer is simple: Get involved.

“We’re really lucky in Central Oregon that we have a lot of great nonprofit advocacy organizations,” he explained.

Involvement is especially important for young people, he said. After all, this world of smoke and struggle is in the younger generations’ hands. However, in a political climate where the average age of U.S. senators is 64.7 years and the average age of representatives is 57.9, their voices are often absent from the policymaking process.

With this in mind, Baunsgard emphasized the importance of seeking out groups that support one’s environmental interests and contacting political representatives with concerns.

Today, the proposal to repeal the endangerment finding remains in review. In the meantime, there is no doubt that Central Oregonians are living in a changed world: one of wildfire, warming and the everpresent risk of natural disasters. And so, as fires crackle across the West and a snowless winter serves as an omen for summers to come, Central Oregonians wait for the EPA to decide their fate.

The post How an Altered EPA May Impact Central Oregon appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

While some people appreciate the new growth added to Bend, others aren’t too fond of the situation, creating tension among the town. 

Many of these newcomers are arriving from states including California, Washington and Arizona, with the majority of Bend’s growth coming from these areas with major cities according to Common Sense Institute of Oregon. It’s no surprise there has been plenty of backlash. Although some have been bothered, newcomers just strive to find a nice place to raise family and experience new culture and community. 

“We just moved here from California,” said Jordan A., who arrived in Bend just in time for her son to start school. “We love it. It is such a diverse environment perfect for my son and I really like his teachers in school.” 

Bend’s public education system has definitely gotten quite the recognition, as staff and school administrators pride themselves on making a welcoming community fit for each student. Yet even with positives Jordan’s family has found so far, adjusting to the community has had its challenges.

“There have been times when going out that we’ve received snarky remarks or micro aggressions concerning our character and recent migration,” said Jordan. 

Stereotypes and typecast labels have been used on those coming in from bigger cities for many years, and as Bend grows in population so does its schools, shops, restaurants and living space, creating challenges in expanding appropriately for everyone. 

With over 100,000 people now in Bend, personal troubles and preferences have risen. 

“It has definitely been a struggle for me with this past new growth to Bend.” Said longtime local of over 30 years, Hayley Albin. She expresses her feelings towards the new attitude migrants have brought forward, explaining, “People never smile anymore.”

The small tight nit community that Bend once was definitely has had some changes in not only people but their mannerisms too. Once a place where everybody knew everybody now it’s hard to even make conversation with people. “This is not the Bend I grew up in”. Hayley states. Comparisons of how lively, communicative and unreserved Bend used to be seems to be affecting people more than you would think. 

Though without this growth, you could argue Bend wouldn’t be as diverse as it is today. Showing off its undeniable widening of cultures and practices, uniting those with similar belief groups. Especially with Bend’s newest high school of five years, Caldera. A dual immersion school, focused on incorporating academic activities in both Spanish and English for native and learning speakers. The major attraction to Caldera’s amazing performance in administration, with Caldera’s principal, Chris Boyd, receiving the title of Bend-La Pine Schools’ 2025 Administrator of the Year, has only made people, including exchange students, want to join the pack.

While “Old Bend” is gone, a wider, expanded community has arisen, creating more opportunities for newcomers arriving both from the states or other countries. Nationwide, small towns will evolve into transforming cities, new people will come in as construction makes room for apartments, office buildings or stores for new shop owners. Though Bend 30 years ago might not appear the same as today, those moving into the small city are simply striving for a better way of living.

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Camp Fire, a century-old nonprofit dedicated to community-based learning and outdoor leadership, is responsible for a broad base of educational programs nationwide. But for the children of Central Oregon, it is associated with one program in particular: Tumalo Day Camp.

For 36 years, Camp Fire’s local branch has hosted three weeklong summer camps at Tumalo State Park, providing local youth with an opportunity to forge relationships, learn new skills and connect with both their community and the outdoors.

Supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, campers explore the Deschutes River, sing traditional Camp Fire songs and participate in creative activities.

A group of campers participate in a craft project at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

For volunteer Kari Szukalski, the most valuable part of Camp Fire Camp is “watching the kids get more independent as they grow.” 

The camp curriculum is designed to build on itself over the years, and Szukalski said that this concept is particularly striking when it comes to the campers’ paracord bracelets: Each year, as the children advance their knowledge of knot-tying, the bracelets become more complex.

A Counselor-in-Training demonstrates tie-dying techniques to his group at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

Though the camp’s programming ends when campers reach eighth grade, participation is still encouraged. The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program enables dedicated campers to assume leadership roles, guiding younger attendees through activities with the help of adult volunteers.

According to Camp Director Cece Valceschini, it is the CITs who make Camp Fire Camp special. Serving as role models for young campers, they encourage continued involvement and contribute their own unique flavor to the camp’s culture.

“I wanted to stay involved in it because I thought the CITs were really cool people,” said Mars Thiel, a recent graduate of the CIT program who served as a counselor this summer.

Counselor Mars Thiel shows off their wood cookie, a Camp Fire tradition, at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

Like many who return to camp, Thiel was drawn not just by tradition, but by the energy, friendships and memories that make it feel like home. From skits and campfire songs to arts and crafts, the fun is what keeps kids coming back.

However, for many, Camp Fire offers more than summer entertainment: It’s where lifelong bonds begin.

“New friendships are built here,” said Valceschini, who met her best friend at camp 34 years ago. Now, she helps new campers find connection, encouraging them through silly songs and skits. The goal of Camp Fire Camp, she said, is to provide a space where all participants’ voices are heard and even shyer children have an opportunity to forge friendships with their peers.

“My favorite part of summer camp is hanging out with my friends,” said 9-year-old camper Alta.

Campers make mud pies at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

However, as Bend’s population continues to grow, the camp faces increasing challenges in securing space. Valceschini noted that Tumalo State Park, where the camp occurs, grows “fuller and fuller” each year, making it increasingly difficult to reserve the site. 

Yet, despite more construction, higher demand for public spaces and limited access to outdoor facilities, Valceschini is optimistic about continuing traditions. After all, she said, the camp runs largely on community support, and as long as there is a need in Central Oregon for Tumalo Day Camp, she trusts that volunteers will step up to keep the camp alive.

“Come to camp,” Valceschini said. “New volunteers are always welcome.”

Camp Director Cece Valceschini and Counselor-in-Training Director Cayden Jones celebrate pajama day at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

Over 30 years have passed since the inaugural Tumalo Day Camp, and over that period, little has changed. It has seen generations of children pass through — including Valceschini’s three children and her grandchild — and the camp’s relevance to Central Oregon youth hasn’t waned. Instead, it continues to encourage connection, allowing campers to experience nature, friendship and fun in a way that, for many, is all too rare.

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According to the directive, which bypassed earlier legislative failure in the state senate, policies must be adopted by Oregon schools before Oct. 31, then fully implemented by January. 

“This is more of a surface-level fix rather than a real preventative measure at the root of the problem,” said Matt Fox, a visual design teacher at Bend Senior High School.

Fox and other critics argue that the ban misses the real problems, such as the youths’ addiction to their phones and lack of a solid attention span. They explain that developing digital relationships and media literacy is necessary before the bans are established. 

According to Dr. Gloria Mark, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, the average person’s attention span has decreased from two and a half minutes to just 47 seconds over the last 20 years. This shift has impacted how students are able to learn, making it harder to understand complex topics or connect ideas. 

Some Oregon schools, like Bend’s Cascade Middle School, have already enacted bans. Fox noted that students with prior exposure to phone-free days struggle less with devices in high school. 

“Freshmen who have had cellphone bans in middle school have less of an issue with phones,” he explained.

Schools that have enacted similar bans have also found positive results, reflected by increasing engagement and social interaction. But educators like Fox are concerned about the lack of students’ involvement in these decisions. 

“I don’t like the idea of kids being on their phones during lunch and passing periods, not interacting and not being human,” said Fox. “But we didn’t ask students about this, there was a real lack of student voice in how this was structured.” 

When students were asked about how this order will impact their upcoming year, they expressed worries surrounding necessary communication with their peers and parents.

“I rely on my phone for communication related to club meetings, sports and other school activities,” said Kira Woodford, a rising senior at Bend Senior High School. “I think it’ll be really difficult to have the same quality in my extracurricular activities without the ability to message my peers.”

While students like Woodford worry about this policy’s practical application, educators like Fox point out that it misses the opportunity to teach students about real life responsibility.

“We’re not preparing students for the real world,” Fox said. “You need a chance to practice cellphone restriction with some guardrails in play, but not like this, where you can’t have phones at all.” 

Even in Fox’s visual design classes, phones are necessary to make calls to organize meetings, send emails and even to download images onto the school’s computers.

Fox also points to a problem beyond the classroom: the need to replace the entertainment and social connection that cellphones give students. He worries that if we suddenly rob them of this support, we will see a rise in mental health-related issues.

“We need to have more time to socialize and play games, like open gym and recess,” said Fox. He strongly recommends that the schools give screen-free alternatives that will drive social connection. 

But others, like Dr. Jared Conney, a neuroscientist and author, applauded Governor Kotek’s bold action. 

“Once phones are gone, schools gain the equivalent of one to six extra hours of instructional time per week,” Conney said. “Students are more focused, teachers are more engaged, and everyone is more connected.”

Time will tell if this research rings true in Oregon schools.

The post Kotek’s Cellphone Ban Raises Concerns appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.