Our daily lives in the modern, tech-focused world we live in keep our eyes glued to digital screens and our fingers methodically clicking keys filled with numbers, letters and symbols. We’re often sitting at desks while our minds wander through a list of to-dos, and sometimes it’s hard to peel ourselves away to reconnect with the things that inspire us most like nature, crafting, team sports and music.
As a result, several organizations and creative thinkers have developed various retreats, conferences and events that allow attendees to develop themselves professionally without a smart phone or double-monitor computer setup. However, Camp Bonfire is proposing something different for people who yearn to get outdoors and hit the refresh button. Adults can go to camp just as they did as young kids, without speakers, workshop activities or pressure to conform to a party scene or new age spirituality. You know, more like the “choose your own adventure” summer camps we joined to play Capture the Flag, fly down a zip-line and make friendship bracelets.
Benjamin Camp and Jacob Winterstein started Camp Bonfire with the vision of capturing the summer camp spirit of community in order to relax, adventure and connect with the people and environments that surround us. Jacob told us that “the one goal should always be to have a good time in the most creative way possible,” which all came together for us after he shared that he and Ben collaborated on the Great Lightbulb Prank of 2000 at Camp Dark Waters, NJ. Ben was a counselor with a good-hearted mischievous side, and Jacob was a camper who rallied his cabin to steal all of the lightbulbs from camp and put them in their rivals’ cabin. This epic prank (and the ones we pulled as kids) go down in history, but sometimes we all forget the simplicity of a good time today, whether it’s a sing-along in the dining hall or late night giggles in the cabin.
We’re stoked to see how the first session of Camp Bonfire goes off this June in the Poconos, and if you’re interested in joining in the fun, Ben and Jacob are outfitting RANGE readers and friends with a very special discount code. Just type in “thisisrange” to receive $100 off. Camp Bonfire has an incredible group of talented creative and outdoorsy counselors to lead the way through activities like terrarium building and paddle boarding, and the founders’ understanding of the value of being barefoot amongst trees, rivers, swamps and stars really hits home for us city kids.
Images courtesy of Camp Bonfire.
XX SYDNEY