R.A.D. Guides

OWNER

Raised in Central Oregon, Chance has a deep connection to nature that shapes his life and leadership at R.A.D. Camps. Along with owning the company, he serves as a Wilderness EMT Ski Patroller in Park City, Utah, blending a love of outdoor adventure with a strong commitment to safety. Chance's hands-on leadership helps campers and staff enjoy authentic, memorable experiences outside. His enthusiasm for the outdoors, focus on community, and practical safety background continue to guide the programs R.A.D. Camps offers families across Central Oregon.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Erin is the Director of Operations at R.A.D. Camps, where she helps lead operations, program development, and strategic growth across Central Oregon. After joining R.A.D. as a guide, Erin grew with the organization and now brings together her love of outdoor adventure, youth development, and community building in a leadership role. A lifelong Oregonian, she has nearly a decade of experience in youth development, social services, and experiential education, including leadership roles in youth and wilderness-based programs. Outside of work, Erin coaches and directs youth lacrosse, enjoys bikepacking and travel, and spends as much time as possible exploring the Pacific Northwest.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Mercedees is the Program Director at R.A.D. Camps and returns for her second summer after designing and leading the Sprouts program last year. Going into her sixth year teaching elementary school, and having recently earned her Master's degree in Education and Instructional Design, she thinks deeply about how children learn. Camp continues to remind her that some of the best learning happens when kids have room to explore freely. Originally from Illinois and having lived all over the country before settling in Oregon, Mercedees loves the slower side of nature: hammocking, paddle-boarding, painting on a trail, and reading somewhere beautiful. She brings that curious, unhurried energy to every program she designs.

CLIMBING PROGRAM LEAD

Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Peter is a versatile outdoorsman with a passion for adventure. During the winter, he spends time in the Caribbean working as a USCG licensed boat captain aboard the trimaran Terroro II and teaching scuba diving as a certified PADI instructor. In the fall, he can be found navigating challenging whitewater on the Gauley River in West Virginia, and in his free time he trains for high-altitude mountaineering and sport climbing routes at Smith Rock. Peter's certifications include Wilderness EMT, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Swift-water Rescue technician, Open Water Scuba Instructor, and Rescue Diver.

LEAD ADVENTURE GUIDE

Zach grew up off the grid in Northern California, spending his childhood running around in the mountains hunting and fishing. He brings that lifelong comfort outdoors to R.A.D. Camps, where he loves sharing knowledge about the plants and mushrooms campers encounter along the way. Zach has been part of R.A.D. Camps for years and plays an important role in training new R.A.D. Guides. As a lead adventure guide, he helps campers build confidence outside while keeping the focus on curiosity, safety, and the kind of hands-on exploration that makes Central Oregon so memorable.

ADVENTURE GUIDE

Brianna is from Bend, Oregon, and grew up with Central Oregon as her backyard. Her favorite activities include mountain biking, fly fishing, and surfing, and she has always loved helping others get outside, explore, free their minds, and find a love for quiet adventure. Brianna has worked in emergency rooms, hospitals, and clinics, and she is now moving toward public health, data, and research. Whether on a trail, a river, or in the ocean, she enjoys helping people discover the confidence, connection, and joy that come from spending time in nature.

ADVENTURE GUIDE

Carolyn is from Wolfeboro, NH, and moved to Bend after graduating from college in Vermont. She grew up outdoors in rural New Hampshire, surrounded by lakes, mountains, and forests, and still loves open-water swimming, hiking, and skiing. Her favorite mountain to ski is Steamboat Springs, where she worked as a lift operator during the 2020–21 season. Carolyn is a certified Wilderness First Responder with CPR certification, has training in top-rope belaying, and is excited to climb at Smith Rock. At R.A.D. Camps, she hopes to help campers build respect for the wilderness while having positive, safe experiences outside.

ADVENTURE GUIDE

Frida is from Ashland, Oregon, and feels grateful for a childhood spent playing outdoors in forests and rivers. She loves spending time outside hiking, swimming, traveling, and practicing yoga, and during the winter season she works as a ski instructor at Mount Bachelor. Frida enjoys sharing the joy of being outside with others and brings that enthusiasm to R.A.D. campers. As an Adventure Guide, she is excited to help kids explore, play, and build their own connection to the natural world.

ADVENTURE GUIDE

Mandy joined R.A.D. Camps as a guide in 2020, bringing more than two decades of experience working with children throughout Central Oregon. Born and raised in Oregon, she moved to Bend in 2003 and built a deep background in river guiding, youth recreation, and experiential education while earning degrees in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and teaching. Mandy holds a Wilderness First Responder certification and has broad outdoor experience across rafting, climbing, backpacking, camping, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and archery. Known locally as "Ms. Mandy," she is deeply involved with students and loves exploring nature, camping, rafting, and adventuring with her family and animals.

ADVENTURE GUIDE

Sam grew up in Delhi, New York, in the Catskill Mountains, where his childhood was filled with forest adventures alongside his sisters, dog, and chickens. Always active, he competed in cross country and track from middle school through college before discovering rock climbing and snowboarding as an undergraduate. Sam recently relocated to Bend for his final internship, working as a snowboard instructor at Mt. Bachelor and developing a deep love for teaching and the Bend community. At R.A.D. Camps, he brings that energy and enthusiasm to outdoor play, helping campers explore with curiosity and confidence.

LEAD SPROUTS OUTDOOR GUIDE

Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, Jackson spent many springs visiting the Bend area to hike, snowboard, and spend time with family. Now living in Redmond, he is excited to spend even more time exploring Oregon's outdoors with R.A.D. Camps. Jackson's passion for outdoor activities began with the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout before turning eighteen. In college, he worked as an Outdoor Adventures Guide, organizing and leading programs in Southwestern Virginia. He later continued building his education and guiding experience with the Fairfax County Park Authority, creating historical and nature-based programs and summer camps.

LEAD SPROUTS GUIDE

Megan was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, where she spent much of her childhood camping across the state and was happiest near any body of water. She grew up playing volleyball and now gives back to the sport by coaching a local high school club team. Megan's passions include traveling, hiking, art, and reading. Since earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Boise State University, she has spent the last three years working as a substitute teacher throughout Bend-La Pine Schools and has also taught English abroad in Barcelona. Megan is thrilled to return for another summer exploring and teaching in Central Oregon with R.A.D. Camps.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Originally from Seattle, WA, Angel has spent many summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin kayaking, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Angel is an avid birder and photographer and is currently pursuing an Environmental Sciences degree at OSU-Cascades while also working with Disability Access Services on campus. With about nine years of experience working with kids, Angel brings curiosity, patience, and a deep love of the natural world to R.A.D. Camps. Favorite topics include fish, bugs, foraging, vultures, detritivores, and colonial organisms — all perfect fuel for curious campers outdoors.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Kylie was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, and loves spending time outside enjoying everything Central Oregon has to offer, including hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring new places. She is currently attending Arizona State University, where she plays ice hockey while balancing academics and athletics. That experience has helped her build strong time-management, leadership, and teamwork skills. Kylie has worked with people of all ages through school, sports, and various jobs, and she enjoys helping others and building positive relationships. As a Sprouts Guide, she is excited to share her love of outdoor play with R.A.D. campers.

SPROUTS GUIDE

LisaRae has worked with children for most of her life and brings a warm, creative presence to the Sprouts team at R.A.D. Camps. She lives in Redmond with her husband, Joshua, and their young son, Milo, and grew up in Bend. Their family loves getting outside for bike rides and river walks. LisaRae also enjoys photography, sewing, and card making, and she holds a certificate through COCC in Child, Family, Community Studies. She is excited to help campers feel cared for, confident, and ready to explore through play, creativity, and time outdoors.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Matt is originally from New York, and his love of skiing, backpacking, and fly fishing brought him to the Pacific Northwest. In the winter, he works as a children's ski instructor at Mount Bachelor, where he enjoys sharing the sport while helping kids build skills and confidence. Matt has completed a Wilderness First Responder course, giving him knowledge to care for others in outdoor settings. He loves experiencing everything the outdoors has to offer, from Colorado's alpine meadows and mountains to Minnesota's forests and lakes, and he is excited to share that passion through fun adventures with R.A.D. campers.

SPROUTS GUIDE

McKenzie is originally from Lake Oswego, OR, and studies Physical Education and Health with a minor in Coaching at Montana State University in Bozeman. McKenzie is passionate about becoming an educator and helping children find a love for movement. At MSU, McKenzie is part of the Alpine Ski Club, continuing a lifelong love of skiing and ski racing. When there is no snow, favorite activities include mountain biking, hiking, lifting weights, yoga, and anything that gets outside. McKenzie also holds a NASP certification for teaching archery and is excited to join the R.A.D. Camps community for a summer of outdoor adventures.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Mia is excited to grow with the R.A.D. Camps team this summer. She grew up in California and has spent different seasons of life in Los Angeles, Boulder, Estes Park, Big Sur, and Costa Rica. Mia loves traveling, exploring waterfalls and national parks, driving new roads, hiking unfamiliar trails, finding river spots to swim, and watching pastel sunsets through the trees. She has worked at numerous camps as an overnight camp counselor, outdoor guide, sports coach, and lifeguard. Mia loves supporting kids, learning from them, and helping them see their own inner light. Her favorite word is play, and she believes it matters every day.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Rachel is from Bend, Oregon, and recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. She now works as a Certified Personal Trainer at Snap Fitness and loves staying active through hiking, pickleball, marathon training, and time with friends. Working with kids has always been one of Rachel's favorite things. Over the years, she has volunteered in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, coached youth soccer, worked at summer camps, and babysat for local families. Rachel loves helping kids have fun, build confidence, and try new things, and she is excited for a summer of games, outdoor exploration, and memory-making with R.A.D. campers.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Sairdee is grateful to have grown up in Bend, surrounded by Central Oregon's beautiful scenery and a supportive community to explore it with. This summer, she is excited to give back by helping campers explore the place she calls home. Her experience includes babysitting for local families, working in restaurants, and joining the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory team, where she helped with summer camps and spoke at schools throughout the year. Sairdee learned a great deal about local fauna through that work and is eager to share it with campers. She loves time outdoors with friends and family, traveling, trying new foods, and getting out of her comfort zone.

R.A.D. NEST LEAD TEACHER

Audrey is originally from Northwest Arkansas and now calls Central Oregon home. She loves climbing, hiking, and backpacking, and she has experience working with children of all ages. Because Audrey discovered her own love for the outdoors later in life, she is especially grateful for the opportunity to help kids build a connection to nature from an early age. As an R.A.D. Nest Lead Teacher, she is excited to spend the summer exploring, learning, and making memories with campers while helping them feel comfortable and curious outside.

LEAD ART STUDIO TEACHER

Laura is an artist and educator originally from Australia's southeastern coast. Her love of travel has taken her around the world, including snowboarding in Japan, surfing in Spain, cycling through the Czech Republic, and diving off the coast of Mozambique, before she found a home in Central Oregon. With more than a decade of experience in education, Laura brings deep knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as Lead Art Studio Teacher with R.A.D. Camps. She earned her MFA in Ceramics from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 2024 and maintains an active studio practice. Curiosity, creativity, and play are central to her teaching and artmaking.

ART STUDIO TEACHER

Bridgett is originally from Gilbert, Arizona, and has called Bend home since middle school. She loves being a Bendite and enjoying all that Central Oregon has to offer, from paddle boarding and golfing to sunny days in the park. During the winter, she works at the local mountain and finds new ways to embrace the cold through snowshoeing, night hiking, and fresh turns. Each summer, Bridgett explores a new national park or another part of Oregon, always finding inspiration for her art outdoors. Her paintings often begin with photos from hikes, and lately she has been exploring bold color expression inspired by the landscapes around her.

CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR & ADVENTURE GUIDE

Jamie is from Ocean Grove, NJ, and brings a strong mix of medical training and outdoor experience to R.A.D. Camps. She is an EMT currently going through paramedic school, and she grew up climbing in the Gunks, surfing along the New Jersey coast, and running through every wild space she could find. As a Climbing Instructor and Adventure Guide, Jamie brings calm, practical care and a genuine love of movement outside. She is excited to help campers build confidence, try new challenges, and connect with the outdoors through safe, playful adventure.

DESIGN LAB TEACHER

Jessie was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, and has called Bend home since 2014. She is an avid snowboarder who has recently become more involved in backcountry riding and avalanche education, and she also loves hiking after recently completing the Oregon Coast Trail. A dedicated yogi with more than 300 hours of teacher training, Jessie brings mindfulness and balance to both her outdoor adventures and everyday life. As a Design Lab Teacher with R.A.D. Camps, she loves exploring new places, trying new adventures, and helping campers connect creativity with the natural world.

DESIGN LAB GUIDE

A former R.A.D. camper from Bend, Oregon, Jack is excited to return as a Design Lab Guide. He currently studies design at the University of Utah and brings a love of hands-on creativity, tinkering, and problem solving to the program. Outside the studio, Jack enjoys skiing, camping, fishing, cooking, and learning more about the natural world. He is also a certified ski instructor with a season of experience at Mt. Bachelor. Jack's mix of design thinking, outdoor curiosity, and R.A.D. camper roots makes him a great mentor for campers exploring their own creative projects.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Christine is an enthusiastic adventurer who loves connecting people of all ages to the outdoors and to each other. A long-time Bend resident, she and her husband home-educated their three sons before launching an outdoor ministry focused on adventure motorcycling, water sports, backpacking, and skiing. With extensive experience guiding at local organizations like Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe and Kids Inc., Christine brings a wealth of knowledge to the R.A.D. Sprouts program. She loves exploring everything from lookout towers to crater hikes and shares her passion for Italian culture and language with everyone she meets. Christine often says she wants to be a kid when she grows up, and she truly succeeds at keeping that sense of wonder alive in every adventure.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Miah loves everything about being outdoors and is passionate about helping others connect with the natural world. Growing up, she discovered immense confidence and joy through outdoor exploration, and she now strives to share that same spark with the children in our program. Whether it is exploring local trails or discovering nature's wonders, Miah is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for every camper. She is thrilled to join the R.A.D. team as a Sprouts Guide to help foster a lifelong love of the outdoors in the next generation.

ADVENTURE GUIDE

Originally from Portland and now at home in Bend, Jourdan has spent the past five years working as an outdoor educator in raft guiding, rock climbing, naturalist programming, and bushcraft skills. She recently graduated from OSU-Cascades with a degree in Adventure Education and earned her Wilderness EMT certification. Jourdan loves helping young people discover the stories and wonder of the natural world while creating safe spaces to explore, ask questions, and build confidence. Outside of camp, she enjoys making art, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and trying just about any outdoor adventure. She brings broad experience, curiosity, and plenty of stories to her role as an Adventure Guide at R.A.D. Camps.

JUNIOR PROGRAM SUPPORT ASSISTANT

A Bend native, Teddy brings local knowledge and a genuine love of the outdoors to the R.A.D. Camps team. After seven years as a R.A.D. camper, he understands the program firsthand and is excited to step into a staff role. Teddy enjoys skiing and boogie boarding and has experience keeping activities organized and engaging through his work as a soccer referee. As a Junior Program Support Assistant, he helps with program routines, activities, and behind-the-scenes support while learning from the guide team. Teddy is excited to help create memorable outdoor experiences and bring the same energy he loved as a camper to a new generation of R.A.D. campers.