Inside Camp Wildfolk with the Totally Awesome Awards 2016

Camp Wildfolk just won a Totally Awesome Award for Coolest Summer Camp for Kids in Los Angeles. We recently spoke to them about their experience as a business owner, the best advice they’ve ever received and more. Hear what they have to say below!

Red Tricycle: Your community recently voted you “Coolest Summer Camp for Kids” – what do your customers value most about your business?
Camp Wildfolk: We hear most from parents that we’ve introduced their kids to the love of Camp! We put so much love and intention in every moment of camp- ensuring our campers are at the center of it all. Our parents tell us how much their kids love coming to camp, and they see the positive impact on their kids when they get home. Their kids are nurturing curiosity, exploring their creativity, coming home with an eagerness to try things, and a can-do spirit!

RT: What do you want people to know about your business that they don’t already know?
CW: Many folks don’t truly understand how much potential for learning there is in Camp. It isn’t daycare. Intentional camps are thoughtful about their programming, and design them in such a way that kids are having so much fun being creative, innovative, and engaged- they don’t even realize the 21st century skills they’re developing in the process.

RT: How did your business get started and what was the motivation?
CW: Camp Wildfolk was the love-child of a discovery of Carol Dweck’s Mindset research, the exploration of Project-Based Learning, and nearly 30 years of growing up in Camp. Our owner, after working as a Director for various other LA Day Camps, had a vision of a Day Camp that celebrated the freedom and empowerment you’d feel at a sleepaway camp, but was rooted in a spirited, progressive, child-centered “traditional” day camp model.

RT: What is the most awesome thing a customer has ever done for you?
CW: Our families are the absolute sweetest. We truly feel the Tribe Vibe! Over the summer, our families- campers and parents alike- would bring in all these amazingly rad little fox trinkets (that reminded them of our Camp Mascot- Winston Fox). Our camp office is so, so foxy now!

RT: How do you keep your stress levels down?
CW: During non-camp months, I look through our camp photos! It reminds me of all the JOY we helped put into the world and keeps me motivated and inspired as I plan future programs.

RT: Tell us, what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received (as a parent or business owner)?
CW: My Father, who was my biggest mentor growing up, had a personal motto he was famous for amongst his friends and peers- “Treat Yourself and others with kindness and compassion.” It was on our phone machine message for years. Some co-workers made him a shirt with the motto on it. I think it really sunk in to my own consciousness and has become my own mantra, as well. I truly believe in our connection as a community, and our responsibility to support and love one another.

RT: Is there a special offer you’d like to include for Red Tricycle readers?
CW: We’re so grateful to the Red Tri community- we’d like to give you a code to take $25 OFF any future Camp Wildfolk session. Use Code: TotallyAwesomeRedTri (cannot be combined with any other discount code).

Check out their website here.

Photo Credit: Camp Wildfolk