With winter fast approaching, kids will be spending more time indoors. Instead of letting little ones stir up chaos in the kitchen or living room, consider creating a dedicated play space where they can channel their creative energy and imagination in a way that supports the overall family environment. One often-overlooked space for play is […]
Kids In Action
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Finding the Stoke
Local skateboarding nonprofit inspires middle schooler and redefines the Bend skate scene
At the north end of Bend, in a nondescript neighborhood tucked between junipers and new houses, sits Northpointe Park. It’s home to a small skate spot with a few simple features—a quarter pipe, flat rail, volcano and ledges—just enough for locals to gather and push their limits. It’s midmorning, quiet and the perfect time to […]
Posted inBend Nest
Show Some Puppy Love
Adoption and foster care aren’t the only ways to share the love at the Humane Society of Central Oregon
Looking for something fun and rewarding to do with the kids this fall? You might want to consider volunteering at the Humane Society of Central Oregon in Bend. There are many ways to get involved, with just about any level of commitment that works for you. One of the HSCO’s most popular programs for kids […]
Posted inBend Nest
Girl Wonder
Bend Swim Club’s Annika Huang
Central Oregon is known for producing Olympic-level athletes who excel in winter sports but rarely do water sports come to mind. This year, an 11-year-old girl from Bend is making a name for herself in the competitive swimming arena. One of the youngest swimmers to qualify for Bend Swim Center’s competitive Silver Squad, Annika Huang […]
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Skye's the Limit
Bend high schooler wins prestigious science award
Summit High School freshman Skye Knox came home a winner after attending the 2022 nationwide Broadcom Masters STEM competition in Washington, D.C. last fall. Her cloud seeding project won her a place among 30 national semi-finalists and a top technology award that she will use to attend a nine-day science camp in Maui this summer. […]
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Hockey Ace
Local teen credits Bend Bullets program for launching her to the next level
Whether on or off the rink, local teen hockey players are demonstrating not only exceptional athletic ability, but also a commitment to personal growth and character development. One local organization helping young people with these goals is the Bend Bullets, whose name is an acronym for “Better Understanding Life Lessons and Expectations Through Sports.” Launched […]
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Pint-Sized Powerhouse
16-Year-Old Female Cattle Rancher Earns the Oregon FFA State Degree
Olivia Rooker’s voice is calm and possesses the confidence of a seasoned professional woman. It’s hard to believe that she is only 16. Even more shocking is the tiny frame dwarfed by, and commanding, the giant beast that is the steer she raised to show and sell at the fair. This year, Olivia is one […]
Posted inBend Nest
Duel Personalities
Fencing club mentors youth in the art of civil combat
Swords clash. Catlike feet squeak as they pounce back and forth, waiting for an opportunity to move in for the attack. After a quick surge forward and a dynamic lunge, the high-pitched beep from the scorekeeping system declares the victor. It’s the unbiased judge and jury of civil combat for the young fencers who come […]
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Get Up, Stand Up
Local teen, Jade Jager, fights for justice
Between organizing (six!) Black Lives Matter protests, starting a BLM Instagram page and meeting with fellow activists, Bend High senior Jade Jager slows down just long enough for us to ask her a few questions. Bend Nest: What prompted you to organize a BLM protest? Jade Jager: The first one I decided to organize was […]
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The inside story
Meet Fourth-Grader, Mackenzie Hunniecutt
If you walk into the fourth-grade wing on a Monday at Lava Ridge Elementary, you’ll notice a student doing some of the teaching. Ten-year-old Mackenzie Hunniecutt spends her lunch recess one day a week teaching some of her fellow students American Sign Language. Mackenzie was born deaf and has been using ASL ever since she […]