ABOUT R.A.D. CAMPS

A family of four walking on a wooden trail through a green meadow, surrounded by trees on a sunny day with a bright blue sky.
Colorful drawing of a sun with flames, a mountain, a pine tree, and the word 'READ' at the bottom.

Since 2008, R.A.D. Camps has been igniting curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love for the outdoors in Central Oregon youth. What began as a single outdoor adventure program has grown into a multi-disciplinary campus offering experiences in nature, art, climbing, biking, and leadership for kids ages 3 through the teen years.

Based in Bend, Oregon, our programs combine unstructured free play with immersive, real-world experiences. Whether campers are exploring rivers and forests, building in a studio, climbing at Smith Rock, or learning to lead as teens, every R.A.D. experience is designed to feel meaningful, memorable, and fun.

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No screens, no schedule and no shortage of dirt: Inside Central Oregon’s R.A.D. Camps

Mission

To ignite curiosity and creativity in Central Oregon youth through unstructured free play and immersive experiences—whether in the wild or the studio—inspiring a lifelong spirit of adventure.

Vision

To be the premier youth development hub in Central Oregon, where every child—from preschooler to teen leader—finds the freedom to explore, create, and grow in a safe, high-trust environment that honors the joy of childhood.

Our Philosophy: No Child Left Inside

We are proud champions of unstructured outdoor play. Our programs encourage kids to unplug, get dirty, take positive risks, and build a deep connection to the natural world.

Guided by Leave No Trace principles, campers learn to appreciate Central Oregon’s forests, lakes, rivers, and trails while developing respect for the environments they explore. We believe stewardship starts with experience, not lectures.

Core Values

1. Masters of the Craft

We are industry professionals, career educators, and seasoned storytellers—not just summer help. We hire and train experts who bring deep history, real skills, and professional judgment to every interaction.

2. Obsess the Experience

We are hyper-focused on the details. From seamless parent communication to the quality of our gear, we remove the friction so the focus stays on the adventure. We serve the parent as well as the child.

3. Stewardship & Grit

We teach resilience by doing hard things and respecting our world. Whether it’s cleaning the art studio or practicing "Leave No Trace" on the trail, we take ownership of our space and our actions.

4. The Full Circle

We are building a legacy, not just a program. We foster a community where campers grow up to become leaders, passing the torch of adventure and expertise to the next generation.

5. Serious Play

We believe that unstructured fun is the best way to learn. We facilitate genuine adventure and creativity, protecting the right for kids to be wild, curious, and free.

At R.A.D. Camps, our mission is to deliver unparalleled adventure experiences for families in Central Oregon, grounded in sustainability and education, fostering a lifelong love for the outdoors through free play and exploration.

Chance Caruso
R.A.D. Camps Owner

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Leave No Trace logo with a green swirl icon and the text "Leave No Trace Proud Partner" in green.
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Logo of Mountain Supply of Oregon featuring a mountain outline above the words 'Mountain Supply' with 'of Oregon' written below.
Logo of Seven Peaks School featuring stylized mountains and the school name in black
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Leave No Trace logo with a green spiral symbol and green text stating 'LEAVE NO TRACE Proud Partner'.
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An individual with hair styled in a mohawk haircut, wearing glasses, and a dark-colored shirt.
Oregon State University Cascades logo with a circular emblem featuring a mountain, a bear, an owl, and trees, and the words "Oregon State University Cascades" in orange text.
Snap Fitness logo with black top section, red 'snap', grey 'fitness', and '24/7' in grey and red.
Black and white logo for Mountain Supply of Oregon featuring a mountain and a sun or moon with the company name.
Logo for Seven Peaks School featuring stylized mountain peaks and the text 'Seven Peaks School'.
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Offering Adventures Since 2008

  • Group of children and two adults standing in front of a white van on a mountain with blue sky and distant mountains in background.

    "Participation in R.A.D. Camps has been such a positive thing for my family. My two sons are looking forward to their third summer with R.A.D. Camps and will be joined by their younger sister this year! I am continually being amazed by the skills, knowledge and personal growth they have acquired through this experience. As well as building self-confidence, the program has also allowed them to build new friendships and establish a lasting connection to our beautiful state!"

    -Jennifer Marks

  • People swimming and playing in a small waterfall and stream surrounded by trees and rocks, under a bright blue sky.

    "We love R.A.D camps! It has been an amazing experience for our son Alder. He is getting out and enjoying some of the most beautiful places that Central Oregon has to offer. There is nothing better than your kid spending the day hiking, swimming, caving and making new friends, including frogs! R.A.D. Camps have created a wonderful outlet for kids to experience things they might not have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful program and we look forward to getting "R.A.D." every summer!"

    -Butsch Family

  • A young girl in a black-and-white patterned long sleeve shirt and pink shorts kneeling on a large log in a lake, holding a long stick, with a forest and blue sky in the background.

    "This is my 8-year-old son’s first summer at R.A.D. Camps, and it is by far the best summer he has ever had! He’s having so much fun exploring and learning about the outdoors. And it’s awesome to watch his confidence grow as he makes new friends, engages in new adventures, and becomes more connected with nature. Plus, the guides are all so attentive, energetic, and amazing at what they do, and the staff-to-child ratio is so low, that the whole experience is completely unlike any other camp. We’re totally hooked on R.A.D. Camps!"

    -Kelli Kennedy

  • Two children, a girl and a boy, are playing on a hammock tied to a large tree in a wooded area. The girl is lying in the hammock with her tongue out, wearing an orange shirt. The boy is sitting on the ground, smiling and looking at the camera, wearing a gray shirt and black shorts. There are some blue Crocs on the ground near them.

    "R.A.D. Camps is the only camp our son wants to go to this summer. Our experience with R.A.D. Camps has been first class. They have taken their passion for the out of doors and combined it with the simple pleasures of hiking, exploring, and learning. We are thrilled with what the R.A.D. Camps adventure has to offer."

    -Christen & Christian

  • Five children playing on a fallen log by a river in a forest, with tall pine trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

    "R.A.D. Camps have been wonderful for our son Sam. In addition to fun and adventure, R.A.D. Camps have taught Sam to identify plants and animals, to be safe and start him down the road to self-reliance and appreciation of the natural world. Now our seven-year-old daughter can't wait to start this summer."

    -Stephanie and Jonathan

Our Guided Programs Encourage Exploration

​The children play games together, swim, eat lunch, and become familiar with local flora and fauna. We explore the area and encourage them to use their imagination to have fun in the gorgeous natural surroundings. The main focus of our programs is to teach kids to appreciate and respect the environment while practicing "Leave No Trace" principles.

A green logo with a spiral symbol and the text "Leave No Trace" and "Proud Partner" in bold letters.

Exploring Central Oregon's Forests, Lakes and Streams