Camping Without Commitment

New to outdoor overnights? Help resides here.

Last week we attended the Pitch North competition and in an N3 article we mentioned the entry known as Camp Box.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/no-tears-no-fears-just-camping

We were intrigued by the  concept given our experiences witnessing the trials and tribulations of newbies to the Great Outdoors.
We tracked down owner Tim Liberty and found out they were having a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday from 4-5pm at The Stream in downtown Newaygo.
He agreed to answer a few questions as well as inviting all to attend the grand opening of this innovative initiative available right here in the Near North.
​
N3-Tell us a little about Camp Box. When you started, what you offer, how it works.

TL-Camp Box officially opened our doors in May this year and we are operating out of Newaygo. We offer a full concierge camping experience. We’ll help you select a campsite, deliver our Camp Box full of all the items you need to camp, set up your site and take it down when you’re done. This allows you to enjoy the outdoors with no stress.
 
N3-What spawned this idea?
 
TL-I enjoy looking at products or services and thinking about ways to improve them. I was thinking about camping one day and started listing all the stresses that come with it. Camp Box scratches all those out.

N3-How has the response been thus far?

TL-The feedback has been great. The people I have pitched the idea to, love that we are innovative. No one is doing what we are doing currently. I have spoken with many campgrounds as well who love the idea.

N3-What are the biggest obstacles for most camping novices?

TL-Purchasing all the gear, storing it, packing the car, unpacking the car, pitching the tent, repacking the car, re-storing your gear, repairing it. That’s where we come in. Those are the major obstacles that we try to eliminate. Also, anybody who tries something for the first time will have questions. We have some guides and campsite etiquette sheets in our Camp Box that will answer their questions.

N3-Let’s say I’m camping for the first time with a couple of kids ages 9 and 11  and calling Camp Box. We plan on a week. What do you recommend for equipment?

Tl-You really won’t need any equipment at all. We provide all the equipment necessary for camping i.e. cooking and eating items, lanterns, headlamps, batteries, tablecloth, chairs, tents, cornhole, fire making material, cooler… We don’t rent sleeping bags but we do sell them or you can bring your own. You’ll really just need to bring your clothes, blankets, personal hygiene, food, drinks, and items that you want to use for recreation. However, we also rent out bikes, kayaks, fishing gear and other recreational items. Let us know what you want and we can most likely include it.

N3-Tell us about the first camping trip you ever went on.

TL-I never camped as a kid, which is another reason I started this company. I wanted to remove the barrier of entry into camping, so parents are more likely to introduce their kids to it. I didn’t camp until I went into the Marine Corps. I guess it was more like sleeping in holes rather than camping, but I loved sleeping under the stars in the middle of a desert.

N3-You have 2 weeks to camp anywhere. What’s your choice?

TL-I would go somewhere new. I’ve spent time in the desert out west, in the muggy south in Florida and here in Michigan. I’d probably go out to Montana or Wyoming.
 
N3-Anything to add?
 
Tl-I have a vision for this company to be a destination employer and to be a company that the community is proud to have in their area. Everything we do is based around our set of core values : Being genuine, gritty, having passion, being community minded and taking care of nature. We will always leave our campsites in better conditions than when we got there.