The world can seem like a crazy place but every now and again, we get little reminders of why life is so spectacular and why there really is good in everything. Katie Webb Brundige and Meghan Clem, the co-founders of RAD Camp – a camp for children and adults with disabilities, are today’s reminders of how amazing the world can really be. Katie and Meghan founded RAD: Rise Above Disabilities in an effort to give back to a community near and dear to their hearts. Today, RAD Camp is one of the largest overnight camps for individuals with disabilities in Southern California! We recently caught up with Meghan Clem to learn more about RAD, how they got their start, and what we can do to become RAD, ourselves!
AdvisHer: Tell us about you – who and what is RAD?
Meghan: Back in high school, Katie and I met volunteering with people with special needs and kept in touch throughout college and beyond! We became best friends (and business partners) and opened Intertwined, an Event Planning and Social Media Consulting firm, with the intention of giving back. We founded RAD Camp, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization for children and adults with developmental disabilities, in 2014. Our mission is RAD – Rising Above Disabilities! We offer awesome programs and camps for adults and children with developmental disabilities, much-deserved respite for their caregivers, and a life-changing volunteer experience for the local community.
AdvisHer: What was your inspiration for starting RAD?
M: RAD developed from the mentality that we can all rise above! From our time volunteering, we found a joint passion for working with those with special needs. We really wanted a place where people with disabilities could feel like absolute rock stars. We wanted to create a place where our campers could try new things, engage in fun activities, express themselves freely and feel included and celebrated. We wanted their amazing caregivers to get a break, a real break, and we could provide local youth a totally new perspective in service to others. What better way to do all of this than a super rad summer camp?!
AdvisHer: Take us through a day in the life!
M: We work on RAD every day of the year! If its fundraising, marketing, Board and Committee management and community outreach that is all Megz. If its programming, event planning, volunteer and camper management and future vision, that is definitely Katie! We are supported by our incredible Program Manager, Lauren and the raddest group of selfless, servant leaders who volunteer their time and talent to make RAD happen! We offer three summer camps, two weekend camps and various community events for our RAD family on a yearly basis.
While at Camp, our role is to ensure everyone is safe, happy and thriving! A day at our favorite place on earth can consist of coordinating timelines, guiding new counselors, supporting our Team and Program leads, touring donors, visiting dorms, transporting campers, overseeing our medical team and the health of each participant, assisting in the kitchen with special diets and so much more! Our favorite moments are the spontaneous dance parties during lunch or the awesomeness that is pool time!!
AdvisHer: What is your favorite element of RAD?
M: We LOVE the pure joy that exudes from all of our incredible campers and volunteers! Camp would not be what it is today without our passionate, dedicated Camp family. RAD truly centers us and keep us grounded throughout the year. Pull up one of our videos on Vimeo and you’ll see why (https://vimeo.com/radcamp)! Camp is heaven on earth.
AdvisHer: How do you stay inspired?
M: The caregivers of our volunteers are our heroes. Nothing makes us happier than when we hear about a caregiver being able to go on a much-deserved and much-needed vacation. We are beyond inspired by the sacrificial love they show their child each and every day. They are so RAD and one of the many reasons why we continue to do what we do.
AdvisHer: If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
M: Say Yes! It may be hard – Say Yes! It may be scary – Say YES! It may be impossible to even dream of – definitely say Yes! When Katie and I look back, it was all the little moments where we just said yes! We may not have even known what we were saying yes to but that attitude of we CAN do it and we WILL do it has given us everything we cherish in life… our friendship, our business, RAD Camp and our amazing family!
AdvisHer: What has been your favorite thing you’ve worked on?
M: As of late, our favorite thing is RAD mini. This past year we worked super hard to increase our fundraising and add a third summer camp for campers ages 4-12. They are the cutest and to see their parents who are newer to the world of special needs find a community in RAD… PRICELESS!
AdvisHer: How do you prioritize your financial health?
M: At RAD, we are huge believers in diversification of fundraising, seeking a variety of funding sources, including individual giving, corporate giving, trusts/foundations, grants, events and peer to peer online fundraising campaigns. We focus on the fundraising to ensure we can complete the mission! We are transparent with every dollar spent and grateful and honored by every dollar given.
AdvisHer: What are your financial goals for 2019?
M: Each year, our financial goals are centered around the fact that we are committed to maintaining and growing our RAD services for such a deserving community. Not only are we seeking and securing funding for current programs, we are also offsetting registration fees so that we only have to charge a minimal fee. Although it costs RAD approximately $1,500 to bring a camper to Camp for a week, we only charge a $350 fee and never turn a camper away due to an inability to pay. That being said, we are always looking for new ways to generate funding and our ultimate goal is to secure an endowment for many years to come!
AdvisHer: How can others get involved with or learn more about RAD?
M: Since RAD is volunteer-run, we are ALWAYS looking for volunteers who are interested in joining our Camp family! Volunteer opportunities include becoming a counselor, kitchen angel or nurse. Please visit www.RADCamp.org for more information or follow us on Instagram @RADCampOC! Stay RAD!!!
We would like to thank Meghan for sharing her story and for her time in helping create this post! For more on Meghan and RAD Camp, check out RadCamp.org or follow along on Instagram at @radcampoc!
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