Ratpod & Camp Mak-A-Dream
Event Signage
Year 2019
Type AGENCY
Role DESIGNER
RATPOD is an annual, 127-mile charity bike ride through the scenic Pioneer Mountains of south-central Montana. Proceeds from the event are donated to Camp Mak-A-Dream, an organization based in Gold Creek, Montana that provides all-inclusive retreats for cancer patients and their respective friends and family.
My employer, PartnersCreative, has long-standing ties to Camp Mak-A-Dream, and creates a number of pro bono assets for the event each year. For the 2019 ride, I was given the opportunity to design the following signage for display at various locations along the RATPOD course, with our ultimate goal of helping to raise communal awareness for Camp Mak-A-Dream’s cause.
Lawn Signs
A series of these lawn signs were displayed throughout the campus of the University of Montana-Western – the ending point for the race. Pairing actual quotes from actual campers, these signs serve to remind riders, spectators, and volunteers of Camp Mak-A-Dream’s profound and meaningful impact, and to thank them for choosing to participate in RATPOD.
Start/Finish archway
In conjunction with the lawn signs above, this start/finish line was also used at the UMW campus. As a large, picturesque photo op, the archway another asset also used to build awareness for the race. Each side of the 30-foot chute was purposely designed in 10-foot increments to be used independent of one another at future Camp Mak-A-Dream events.
“Warm Fuzzy” Notes
From a messaging perspective, a goal of the 2019 RATPOD race was to place a renewed emphasis of on the race’s direct, positive impact on the Camp Mak-A-Dream experience. Riders were asked to write a camper a “Warm Fuzzy” – a quick note of encouragement for a child or young adult fighting cancer. In return, campers wrote RATPOD participants Warm Fuzzy notes of their own, thanking them for helping to fund activities at Camp Mak-A-Dream.
RATPOD Unlimited Logo
As was the case with many events worldwide, Camp Mak-A-Dream made the choice to cancel RATPOD 2020 as an in-person race due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the organization pivoted to a new event called RATPOD Unlimited - a fundraiser where, rather than traveling to the race site in-person, participants could record and self-report themselves riding the distance of the race from home. In addition to cycling, Camp Mak-A-Dream opened up RATPOD Unlimited to also allow participants to run, swim, or kayak to raise funds for the cause. The “Unlimited” version of the event was very positively received, and will continue to serve as a component of the annual RATPOD event beyond 2020.