Expeditions

July 7-12, 2024

Can’t choose just one RAD Expedition Camp? Well, Ultimate RAD has a little bit of everything. This camp is based off site from Big Lake. We will be touring the country in the RAD van, we will make stops to climb at the iconic Smith Rocks, float an epic section of the Deschutes River, and hike one of the classic peaks nearby. Try your hand at gourmet camp cooking and bring your hammock and favorite camp chair to enjoy the brilliant sunsets and shooting stars! This is a great camp to build confidence, explore new horizons and make new friends! It will surely be an awesome adventure!

No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story telling, star gazing, wilderness education classes, waterfights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively participate in good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

June 30-July 5, 2024

This camp will be based out of BLYC and head out daily on epic rides all over Central Oregon. Stretch yourself and your skills as you hit the trails. You will work on body position, braking, cornering and for the more confident riders even jumping! You will learn trail etiquette and stewardship and you might even learn how to fix a flat out on the trail. This epic camp is for those who love to mountain bike or are just getting into the sport. Bring your own bike or use one of the camps. This camp is sure to challenge and stretch you in your quest to learn more about mountain biking!

No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story-telling, star gazing, wilderness education classes, water fights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake RAD Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively practice good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

Session 1: July 14-19, Session 2: July 28-Aug 2, Session 3: Aug 4-9

White Water Rafting is a five-night, six-day adventure, Sunday check-in through Friday check-out. This offsite camp will have you cruising epic rapids and immense flat-water pools. Surprising adventures fill each and every moment while you learn venerable buccaneering skills on the Deschutes River. Let our experienced Swift Water Guides take you on an exhilarating journey through the basics of learning to tame gnarly water and burly waves. Outfitted by Deschutes U-Boats out of Maupin, OR, our experienced RAD camp staff will guide the rafts down 50 miles of the Deschutes River, ending at the mighty Columbia River. Try your hand at gourmet camp cooking and relax in your tent as you camp along the river. This camp is sure to challenge you, build confidence and make new and exciting memories along the way!

No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story telling, star gazing, wilderness education, waterfights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively participate in good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

Session 1: June 30-July 5, Session 2: July 7-12, Session 3: July 28-Aug 2

Our Wakesports camp has it all: Waterskiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, barefooting and other new and exciting wakesports. This is a five-night, six-day adventure, Sunday check-in through Friday check-out. Our Wakesports camp is based at Big Lake and you will be staying in a cabin and eating in the camp cafeteria. You will spend your mornings and afternoons honing your skills and cheering on your cabin mates out on the clear waters of Big Lake, behind some of the best boats in the world. Evenings are filled with fun group games and end with our excellent campfire program, including awesome music and engaging nightly plays.This camp is sure to challenge you, build confidence, and make new friends who love wakesports just like you!

No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story telling, star gazing, wilderness education, waterfights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively participate in good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

July 7-12, 2024

Rock Climbing is an introduction to some of the best climbing in the world. Learn the basics of safe climbing at iconic Smith Rock State Park. You will learn beginner and advanced climbing movements, knots, rope management, belaying, rappelling and risk management in a rock climbing environment. This camp is based off site from Big Lake and you will be camping on our private property near Smith Rock. To be sure to cool down, you will also spend one epic day rafting on a section of the Deschutes River. Try your hand at gourmet camp cooking, bring your hammock and favorite camp chair to enjoy the brilliant sunsets and shooting stars! This is a great camp to build confidence, explore new horizons and make new friends! It will surely be an awesome adventure!
No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story telling, star gazing, wilderness education, waterfights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively participate in good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

July 21-26, 2024

Take your climbing skills to the next level with Advanced Rock Climbing. This five-night, six-day camp will help you hone your skills and sharpen your climbing technique. You will have the opportunity to learn skills such as anchor systems, knots and belaying that will prepare you for climbing safely on your own. This camp is based off site from Big Lake and you will be camping on our private property near the iconic climbing of Smith Rock. To be sure to cool you down, you will also spend one epic day rafting on a section of the Deschutes River. Try your hand at gourmet camp cooking, bring your hammock and favorite camp chair to enjoy the brilliant sunsets and shooting stars! This is a great camp to build confidence, explore new horizons and make new friends! It will surely be an awesome adventure. Climbing shoes, helmet and harness provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.

No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story telling, star gazing, wilderness education, waterfights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively participate in good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

July 14-19 & July 21-26

High Desert Wakesports camp has it all: Waterskiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, barefooting and other new and exciting wakesports. This is a five-night, six-day adventure, Sunday check-in through Friday check-out. You will camp off-site at a rustic campground, where you will boat in and out for your daily adventures out on the water. You will spend your mornings and afternoons honing your skills and cheering on your fellow campmates behind some of the best boats in the world. Our well seasoned instructors will give you tips and tricks to take you to the next level. Try your hand at gourmet camp cooking, bring your hammock and favorite camp chair to enjoy the brilliant sunsets and shooting stars! This is a great camp to build confidence, explore new horizons and make new friends who love wakesports just like you!

No matter what RAD Expedition camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story telling, star gazing, wilderness education, waterfights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively participate in good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.

June 30-July 5, July 7-12, July 14-19, July 21-26, July 28-Aug 2, Aug 4-9

Our R2S program is designed for teens ages 15-17 to participate in one of our awesome RAD Expeditions while also being mentored in leadership by our Expeditions staff members. We believe outdoor leadership education creates change agents in schools, churches and communities. This is an excellent way for campers to see what it takes to be a Big Lake Staff member while also stretching yourself in exciting outdoor challenges. While R2S campers are not guaranteed a future position as a Big Lake staff member, participation in the program is recommended and it allows our staff to get to know them in unique and important ways. This year, the following RAD Expeditions are offering a R2S component: Rock Climbing (June 30-July5), Ultimate RAD (July 7-12), White Water Rafting 1 (July 14-19,) Advanced Rock Climbing (July 21-26), White Water Rafting 2 (July 28-Aug2) and White Water Rafting 3 (Aug 4-9.)
To apply for a R2S program, you will need to complete the camper registration, write a short essay, and pass a reference check before being allowed to participate.

No matter what camp you choose, you will be sure to enjoy story-telling, group cooking, star gazing, wilderness education classes, water fights and daily life on the trail/river/lake or crag. Big Lake RAD Expeditions is not for the faint of heart! While we absolutely love adventuring with first-timers, we do recommend that campers actively practice good fitness before attending camp and have a strong interest in the chosen activity.