Recreation for Adolescents with Disabilities
Camp RAD is a 4-week summer day camp in Statesboro, Georgia, designed for youth with disabilities (ages 10-22). Starting the Tuesday after Memorial Day, the program helps campers develop life skills, physical fitness and independence as they transition into adulthood.
Through a fun, hands-on approach, campers engage in activities led by experts in pediatric therapy, adaptive physical activity, public health, human development and nutrition. The goal is to make learning feel effortless while building confidence, social skills and lifelong healthy habits.
Why Choose Camp RAD?
- Real-World Preparation – Equipping campers with skills for independent, healthy living.
- Interdisciplinary Expertise – Led by specialists in occupational, physical and speech therapy, exercise science, therapeutic recreation, public health and more.
- Personalized Support – Almost all camp days maintain a 1:1 or 1:2 camper-to-staff ratio for individualized attention.
- University-Led Program – Directed by faculty in adaptive physical education and exercise science at Georgia Southern University and staffed by students in human development, sports psychology, education and related fields.
Super Eagles: Inclusive Fitness Training
As an extension of Camp RAD, Super Eagles is an adapted physical activity course where future fitness professionals learn how to develop and implement inclusive fitness programs. This hands-on training helps create more accessible, adaptive exercise opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Our Supporters
Camp RAD would not be possible without the generosity of our partners, donors, staff and volunteers.
Special thanks to:
- Georgia Southern University
- Bulloch County Schools
- Effingham County Schools
- B&B Family Support Services
- Pineland
- Easter Seals
- Donors and Volunteers
Thank you for helping us empower the next generation of independent, active individuals!
History
In 2010, faculty at Georgia Southern University were contacted by members of the community to assist with programming for students with disabilities. As a first step, faculty conducted an assessment to determine the needs of the community and examine current capacity to meet the needs of transition age (10-23 years of age) young people with disabilities. The study revealed multiple needs and limited capacity in rural, southeast Georgia. Faculty sought to build new partnerships to build capacity within the community to meet these needs. Camp RAD was founded in 2012 in Statesboro, Georgia through a partnership between Georgia Southern University and the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department (SBCPRD).
From 2012-2017, faculty and students from Georgia Southern University delivered the camp through the SBCPRD. Over 5 years, the camp grew from 6 participants to a full capacity of 25 with a waiting list. In 2018, Camp RAD was able partner with the Georgia Southern University Campus Recreation and Intramurals program and move to the Statesboro campus. In 2019, Camp RAD opened it’s first Satellite location in Effingham County, and in 2020 Camp RAD had it’s first ever Online Camp RAD.
Mission
The mission of Camp RAD is to empower transition-age youth with disabilities to live health, independent lives. Camp RAD uses an interdisciplinary approach that utilizes experts in the fields of pediatric occupational, physical, and speech therapy, adaptive physical activity, human development & family science, public health and nutrition.
We provide a fun, safe summer experience that promotes life skills and physical activity with a focus on the comprehensive well-being of the child. Our interdisciplinary team of professionals uses an innovated model to plan, implement, monitor progress, and evaluate camp.
Purpose
The purpose of Camp RAD is to provide a fun, safe, summer experience for youth with disabilities as they gain important life skills that focus on health, wellness, and physical activity.
Goal
Our goal is for our campers achieve functional goals that will further their abilities and return to school or transition into the community with new skills.
Registration
Join the fun and register today for Camp RAD! You will only have to complete this form once per year, even if you register for all of our programs!
Registration Deadlines
- Camp RAD 2025 TBD
Need Tuition Assistance?
Families who are interested in tuition assistance should contact B&B Family Care services at 912-754-0817 or visit their website.
Camp RAD Registration Form
Camp RAD Locations
Bulloch County
Our Statesboro location is where Camp RAD originated. This camp mainly takes place at the RAC on the campus of Georgia Southern University Statesboro Campus, with field trips to other locations on campus and in the local community.
Directions to StatesboroEffingham County
In Effingham County, Camp RAD takes place at the Clarence E. Morgan Complex. This camp location also takes field trips to local businesses and the Georgia Southern RAC.
Directions to Effingham CountyFAQs
Camp RAD starts the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and lasts for 4 weeks. Camp is Monday-Thursday (with the exception of Memorial Day) from 1-4 p.m.
The tuition for Camp RAD is $1,250, but we do not want money to be a reason for your camper to miss out on the Camp RAD experience. Tuition assistance and scholarships are available. Contact us for more details.
We accept campers between the ages of 10 and 22.
Camps are currently offered in Statesboro and Effingham.