"For a long time I've just felt more comfortable camping," says Brian Hull, co-founder of BaseCamp Tools. 

“It’s a wonderful feeling, getting prepared and not knowing exactly what for...”

“It brings me back to a primitive sense of purpose”, he says with a smile.

You want a camping trip to be challenging, but you still want to make sure it’s enjoyable, and that can be a lot of stress when you’ve been designated, “director of events” for the campsite. Which means you’re supposed to have every answer to every fire, food, tent, weather, water, nature and packing related question.

Which is a challenge all on its own since the average household may only go camping 1-3 times a year.

“The most challenging part can be knowing what to bring; you want to prepare for everything, without bringing everything,” says Brian.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there, even the camping magazines and how to videos can make it seem more confusing or make it sound like you better not go out there without a flint fire starter and collapsible cookware; when realistically, grabbing a Bic and the old pot and pan from the kitchen will usually do the trick.

“I grew up camping”, Brian continued, “and even though I had an enthusiastic father who liked to buy the gear and have the right tools we still only went 3-5 times per year.”

For me being prepared was part of the fun and packing the road trip vehicle often turned into Tetris.

 I learned a lot from my father when it comes to having the right tools for the job and also improvising with the tools you have.

“Camping has allowed me to live more in the moment,” he says. “It really frees up your thinking when you dial down your problems for the weekend to: one, keep the fire lit. And two, don’t run out marshmallows.”

“It always brings our family closer together too; you can really enjoy your kids more without all the distractions, out on a trail or at your campsite.”

“It’s amazing when you see them get engaged, collecting fire wood, or asking their mother what all the shapes the stars make.”

“My kids usually don’t want to go home,” he laughs.

For years I had been talking about an adventure type start up with long time friend Justin Bates, co-founder of BaseCamp Tools, and creator behind BaseCamptools.com. Justin and I were going round and round. We wanted to break down the expensive stereotype between you and the free outdoors.

“Don’t get me wrong, it can get expensive,” says Justin, who happens to be an Eagle Scout.

If you’re the first time camper then you ARE starting from scratch. Tents, mattresses, coolers, I could go on. It can get expensive, but does it have to be?

What if there was an easier way in?

“Then one day we were talking with some friends after coming back from a successful camping trip,” said Brian.

After speaking with the group I quickly realized that not everyone was as enthusiastic as I was about having the camping gear, finding a place to store it, and then drag it out to pack it twice a year.

WHEN my sister-in-law said she didn’t have a tent but would want to go. I said, “if I keep buying tents at this rate I’ll just invite you along and you can pick one.”

💡LIGHT BULB- after that we couldn’t get it out of our heads, and BaseCamp Tools was born!