Expeditions
Expeditions (previously called RAD camps) are a five-night, six-day 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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- Leadership Academy 15-17 yrs
- Ultimate RAD 13-17 yrs
- Mountain Biking 15-17 yrs
- Whitewater Rafting 13-17 yrs
- Wakesports 13-17 yrs
- Rock Climbing 13-17 yrs
- Advanced Rock Climbing 13-17 yrs
- High Desert Wakesports 13-17 yrs
- RAD-to-Staff 15-17 yrs
June 24-27, 2024
Leadership Academy campers will join our Big Lake staff for the last few days of staff training to participate in some outstanding leadership training and get a taste of several different areas of camp. Leadership Academy participants are immersed in what it takes to work at camp. From practicing how camp staff serve meals to campers, participating in class rotations and training, emergency scenarios, excellent leadership talks from our incredible youth leaders, amazing worships and quiet time for reflection. This may be the best way yet for 15- 17 year-olds to know what it’s like to be a summer staff member at Big Lake. While Leadership Academy campers are not guaranteed a future position as a Big Lake staff member, participation in this program is recommended and it allows our staff to get to know them in unique and important way
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.
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 Oatfield Rd. Gladstone, OR 97027 and Livingstone Adventist Academy, 5771 Fruitland Rd NE Salem, OR 97317
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 5-7 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 7/29/24
Horse Extreme Teen 1 – July 28-August 2, 2024 Boys-1 opening, Girls-FULL
Horse Extreme Teen 2 – August 4-9, 2024 Boys-3 openings, Girls-9 openings
Wakesports 3 – July 28-August 2, 2024 Boys-7 openings, Girls-1 opening
Wakesports 4 – August 4-9, 2024 Boys-FULL, Girls-7 spots available
White Water Rafting 2 – July 28-August 2, 2024 8 openings
White Water Rafting 2 RAD-to-Staff – July 28-August 2, 2024 – (must be 15-17 yrs old) 2 openings
White Water Rafting 3 – August 4-9, 2024 8 openings
White Water Rafting 3 RAD-to-Staff – August 4-9, 2024 (must be 15-17 yrs old) 1 opening
Click to Register Online