RAD Expeditions

RAD Expeditions camps are a six day, five night adventure, Sunday through Friday. This fun, outdoor adventure is specifically designed for 13-17 year-olds who want to build confidence, foster relationships and explore new horizons. With well-trained and skilled outdoor professional staff, campers will make life-long friends and learn higher level skills specific to their chosen activity.

Some RAD Expedition sessions are based at or around Big Lake campus while others are based offsite at locations such as Smith Rock State Park, the Deschutes River, the Central Oregon Cascades, and bike trails throughout Central Oregon.

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. 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.

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Dates TBD

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.

Dates TBD

High Desert Wakesports camp has it all: Waterskiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, barefooting and other new and exciting wakesports. This is a six day, five night camp with check-in on Sunday and check-out on Friday. You will camp off-site at a rustic campground, sleep in tents (bring your sleeping pad), 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.

 

Dates TBD

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.

Dates TBD for Rock Climbing RAD-to-Staff, Ultimate RAD-to-Staff, and White Water Rafting 1, 2, and 3 RAD-to-Staff.

Our RAD-to-Staff 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 RAD 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 RAD-to-Staff 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 RAD-to-Staff component: Rock Climbing, Ultimate RAD, White Water Rafting 1, Advanced Rock Climbing, White Water Rafting 2 and White Water Rafting 3.
To apply for a RAD-to-Staff  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. 

Dates TBD

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.

Dates TBD

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.

Session Dates TBD

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 Dates TBD

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.

Bus Transport

We understand that transportation can be a concern for parents, which is why we offer chartered bus transportation to/from Gladstone/Portland and Salem. Our buses are safe and reliable, ensuring a comfortable journey for your child. Please note that spaces are limited, so we encourage you to book early. The cost is $67 one-way and $134 round-trip. Unless otherwise noted, bus drop-off and pick-up in Portland will be at the Oregon Conference Headquarters, 19800 Oatafield Rd, Gladstone and Livingstone Adventist Academy, 5771 Fruitland Rd NE, Salem.

Friday pick-up on July 25 will be around the corner from where you dropped your camper off for the bus at Rivergate Adventist Elementary School, 1550 Rivergate School Rd, Gladstone. Sunday drop-off on July 27 will be at the Gladstone Park Church parking lot, 8378 Cason Rd, Gladstone, around the corner from bus drop-off all other weeks

Camp Check-in and Pick-up

Our camper check-in and check-out times are assigned by cabins. Watch your email for specific times for your camper about 2-3 days before your reservation. But plan on these time ranges: Sunday 2:00-5:00 PM and Friday pick-up 1:00-2:30 PM.

Click for Parent Resources like bus info, daily schedules, packing lists and more.

Expeditions Summer Schedule  – Updated 11/05/24

Advanced Rock Climbing – TBD, 2025
Advanced Rock Climbing RAD-to-Staff
– TBD, 2025
High Desert Wakesports 1
– TBD, 2025
High Desert Wakesports 2 – TBD, 2025
Horse Extreme Teen 1
 – TBD, 2025
Horse Extreme Teen 2 – TBD, 2025
Horse Extreme Tween 1 – TBD, 2025
Horse Extreme Tween 2 – TBD, 2025
Mountain Biking – TBD, 2025
Rock Climbing – TBD 2025
Rock Climbing RAD-to-Staff – TBD, 2025
Ultimate – TBD, 2025
Ultimate RAD-to-Staff – TBD, 2025
Wakesports 1 – TBD, 2025
Wakesports 2 – TBD, 2025
Wakesports 3 – TBD, 2025
Wakesports 4 – TBD, 2025
White Water Rafting 1 – TBD, 2025
White Water Rafting 1 RAD-to-Staff –TBD, 2025 – (must be 15-17 yrs old)
Tentatively: White Water Rafting 2 – TBD, 2025
Tentatively: White Water Rafting 2 RAD-to-Staff –TBD, 2025 – (must be 15-17 yrs old)
Tentatively: White Water Rafting 3 – TBD, 2025
Tentatively: White Water Rafting 3 RAD-to-Staff – TBD, 2025 (must be 15-17 yrs old)

 

Click to Register Online