OWNER

Raised in Central Oregon, Chance has a deep connection to nature, greatly influencing his life and career. Along with being the owner of our company, he also serves as a Wilderness EMT Ski Patroller in Park City, Utah. Chance combines his passion for outdoor adventure with a strong commitment to safety. His hands-on leadership and dedication ensure our clients enjoy authentic and unforgettable experiences. His expertise and enthusiasm for the outdoors enhance our offerings and promote a sense of community and safety among clients and staff.

SENIOR SUPERVISOR

Zach grew up off the grid in Northern California, and spent his childhood running around in the mountains hunting and fishing. He loves to share his knowledge about plants and mushrooms we find at R.A.D. Camps!

Zach has been a part of R.A.D. Camps for years. He is our senior trip leader and plays a significant role in training new R.A.D. Guides!

LEAD GUIDE

Frank grew up in Bend Oregon, he spent his childhood snowboarding, fishing, and going to R.A.D. Camps! He is now a skilled fisherman, outdoor guide, and wilderness first responder. Frank brings extensive knowledge about local plants, wildlife, and wilderness safety to his role. He is passionate about sharing his expertise and ensuring safe, memorable outdoor adventures.

LEAD GUIDE

As a kid growing up in Bend, Ryan enjoyed various awesome outdoor activities. His time spent outside playing around Central Oregon’s rivers, lakes, and trails are some of his best childhood memories. To this day, Ryan loves mountain biking, hiking, and paddle boarding in the summer and both alpine and Nordic skiing in the winter. He is currently working on his degree in Computer Science at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Still, he is very excited to come home and share the places he grew up enjoying with the next generation while working at R.A.D. Camps this summer!

LEAD GUIDE

Erin is a born-and-raised Oregonian who spent her early years exploring the Willamette Valley before discovering her passion and outdoor-focused community in Bend. Growing up, Erin spent her time camping, skiing, climbing the Cascade Mountains, and playing lacrosse.

Her professional experience spans nearly a decade in diverse social service settings, including roles at treatment facilities, homeless shelters, and case management agencies. Erin’s significant experience as a wilderness therapy guide and counselor at a youth treatment facility has deepened her understanding of the profound mental and emotional health benefits that nature provides.

When Erin isn't guiding for R.A.D. Camps, she is teaching, traveling, bikepacking, coaching lacrosse, directing a local youth lacrosse program, and playing roller derby. Her dynamic lifestyle reflects her commitment to outdoor adventure, community involvement, and personal growth.

LEAD GUIDE

Mandy joined R.A.D. Camps as a guide in the summer of 2020, bringing over two decades of experience working with children throughout Central Oregon. Born and raised in Oregon, she moved to Bend in 2003, where she quickly established herself as a river guide and youth recreation leader while pursuing her undergraduate degree at OSU Cascades. Mandy earned her degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership with a focus on Experiential Education, later completing a Master of Arts in Teaching and Early Childhood Development.

She holds a Wilderness First Responder certification, maintaining this crucial medical qualification for over 15 years. Her extensive outdoor expertise includes river guiding, therapeutic recreation, ropes course facilitation, team-building activities, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, backpacking, camping, Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, and archery instruction.

Affectionately known around Bend as "Ms. Mandy," she is deeply involved with local students through substitute teaching and dedicated volunteer work. Mandy is also the proud mother of two enthusiastic RAD Campers. In her free time, she loves exploring nature, camping, rafting, and enjoying outdoor adventures with her boys, family, and beloved animals.

GUIDE

Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Peter is a versatile outdoorsman with a passion for adventure. During the winters, he spends time in the Caribbean, working as a USCG licensed boat captain sailing the elegant trimaran, Terroro II, and teaching scuba diving as a certified PADI instructor. In the fall, you'll find him navigating some of America's most challenging whitewater on the Gauley River in West Virginia, where he occasionally enjoys kayaking off waterfalls.

In his free time, Peter enjoys training for high-altitude mountaineering expeditions and tackling challenging sport climbing routes at Smith Rock. To support his rigorous guiding lifestyle, he holds certifications as a Wilderness EMT, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Swift-water Rescue technician, Open Water Scuba Instructor, and Rescue Diver.

SPROUTS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

New to R.A.D. Camps this summer, Mercedees brings years of experience working with children in both camp and classroom settings. With a degree in Child Development and Education, she is entering her fifth year teaching elementary school and is excited to channel her passion into leading the Sprouts program.

Originally from Illinois and having lived all over the country, Mercedees recently settled in the area and is eager to explore Oregon's outdoors. Whether hiking new trails or quietly observing wildlife, she loves being in nature and trying new things. Mercedees’ energy, creativity, and enthusiasm for play-based learning promise to make this summer unforgettable for our youngest adventurers.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, Jackson has spent many springs visiting the Bend area, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with family. Now residing in Redmond, Jackson is thrilled to spend even more time exploring Oregon's outdoors as part of the R.A.D. Camps team.

Jackson developed his passion for outdoor activities early in life through his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, where he ultimately achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout before his 18th birthday. During college, he expanded his outdoor leadership skills as an Outdoor Adventures Guide, organizing and leading outdoor programs in Southwestern Virginia. After graduation, Jackson further honed his educational and guiding experience while working for the Fairfax County Park Authority as a historian, creating and leading engaging historical and nature-based educational programs and summer camps.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Frida is from Ashland, Oregon, and feels grateful for a childhood spent playing outdoors in forests and rivers. Passionate about outdoor activities, she loves hiking, running, swimming, practicing yoga outdoors, traveling, and spending winters in the mountains. Frida is a ski instructor at Mount Bachelor during the winter season and is currently working toward her degree in Elementary Education at Oregon State University. She is excited to bring her enthusiasm for the outdoors and education to R.A.D. Camps!

SPROUTS GUIDE

Drew is a passionate early childhood educator originally from Colorado who recently moved to Bend. She brings diverse experiences from roles such as camp counselor in Washington, ski instructor in Colorado, boat-tour naturalist in Alaska, and both assistant and lead teacher at a nature preschool.

Drew loves outdoor adventures including hiking, camping, skiing, and fishing, often sharing these activities with her two dogs. Additionally, she is an enthusiastic crafter, singer, and scientist dedicated to inspiring awe, respect for nature, and a spirit of scientific inquiry and exploration among young learners.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Sam grew up in the small town of Delhi, New York, nestled in the Catskill Mountains. His childhood was filled with adventures, exploring the forests around his home with his sisters, dog, and their chickens.

Always active, Sam competed in cross country and track from middle school through college. His passion for outdoor activities expanded significantly during his undergraduate studies when he discovered rock climbing and snowboarding. Recently, Sam relocated to Bend for his final internship, working as a snowboard instructor at Mt. Bachelor, where he developed a profound love for teaching and the vibrant community of Bend, Oregon.

SPROUTS GUIDE

Megan was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, where she spent much of her childhood camping across the state, always happiest near any body of water. Growing up, Megan played volleyball and now gives back to the sport by coaching a local high school club team. Her passions include traveling, hiking, creating various forms of art, and reading.

Over the years, Megan has worked with diverse summer childcare programs throughout Central Oregon and beyond, focusing on community service, STEAM, environmental awareness, and nature-based learning. After earning her degree in Elementary Education from Boise State University, she spent the past year teaching English in Barcelona, Spain. Megan is thrilled to spend her summer exploring and teaching in the beautiful outdoors of Central Oregon with R.A.D. Camps!

SPROUTS GUIDE

Ryan Mitchell is an incoming Junior at the University of Oregon. Growing up, Ryan attended R.A.D. Camps throughout middle school, and he is thrilled to return as a counselor. Passionate about the outdoors, Ryan enjoys activities such as foraging, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, and skiing. When indoors, he loves watching football and basketball and expressing his creativity through drawing. Ryan is eager to share his enthusiasm for outdoor adventures and contribute to another fantastic summer at R.A.D. Camps!

SPROUTS GUIDE

Izzy has lived in Bend for nearly her entire life, growing up camping, hiking, and paddleboarding in the beautiful outdoors. She fondly remembers her childhood experiences at R.A.D. Camps. Currently, Izzy is pursuing a degree in Sustainability and the Built Environment at Scripps College in Claremont, California, enjoying all the adventures Southern California offers.

Izzy has extensive experience working with children, including four summers at kids' soccer camps and three years as a children's tutor at Kumon. For the past two summers, she worked with Ocean Plastic Recovery in Alaska, actively collecting plastic waste from beaches. This summer, Izzy is backpacking the Fisherman's Trail in Portugal, embracing the opportunity to explore a new landscape and challenge herself physically.

LEAD GUIDE

Will is excited to be returning for his third summer at R.A.D. Camps and looks forward to many more adventures ahead! Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, Will has a deep appreciation for the surrounding area's endless opportunities to explore. He's continuously amazed by discovering new favorite spots, with Cascadia, Paulina Lake, and Paulina Creek ranking among his top destinations.

Currently, Will is a student at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls. His passion for outdoor activities, especially those that let him soak up the sun, perfectly aligns with the spirit of R.A.D. Camps. Will is eager to share his enthusiasm and knowledge of Central Oregon with campers again this summer!