RAD Camps was started when two friends, passionate for the outdoors, realized that many kids were spending their summer break inside playing video games. Adam Sather and Eric Jackson decided to put their shared passion to use and help get more kids outdoors to the beautiful locations in Bend’s backyard. Since 2008 RAD Camps has been committed to getting kids outside and teaching them how to explore while being “impact free.”

Now in its 10th year of operation, RAD Camps will have 4 vans going to different locations each weekday of the summer. Each van has a male and female guide with up to 13 kids. Three vans will be filled with 7-12 year olds, while the other van is designated for teens 13-17. The teen adventures will focus more on outdoor living skills such as fire starting, shelter building, orienteering, and will also include some overnight camping trips.

A typical day starts by meeting at 8 a.m. and driving to the day’s locations in the RAD vans. Once at the destination, kids put on their backpacks and head down the trail. The group will be able to play games, swim, eat lunch, explore the area, and use their imaginations to have fun. RAD Camps emphasizes “free play,” which allows kids to choose what they would like to do. Some swim, some choose to fish, some play tag, some simply read a book, and some do all of the above! A main focus of the program is to teach kids to appreciate and respect the environment while leaving no trace. After having the time of their lives, the campers will head back to the RAD van for the ride home, arriving around 4 p.m.

RAD Camps operates under a special use permit with the United States Forest Service. All adventures are in the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests with occasional State Park adventures. Some trips to note are Crater Lake, Smith Rock, Cascadia State Park, Sparks Lake, Paulina Creek, and more.

“No Child Left Inside!” We enjoy utilizing this slogan to help promote the No Child Left Inside Act passed by Congress in 2009. This act was passed to help get more kids outside and reconnected with nature.

RAD Camps has been keeping kids off video games since 2008, please join us!