I decided to dig deeper into how it all started, only to find out amazing stories about a bunch of talented friends who left their dream jobs to launch their own project about their passion for the outdoors. Since camp trend’s mandate is to test out camping products and outdoor gear, I thought it would be a great idea to ask them to compile a list of camping essentials for all van owners.
You guys are a five person crew working on the site, how many people are living on the road ? How many vehicles ?
There are 3 of us living on the road fulltime: Mark, Nives, & Carl. As a small on-site production team, we have to wear many hats but we all have our specialized roles. Mark is the director of all video & photography, Nives is our stylist and amazing chef, and Carl handles the social media & website content. We’re lucky to have Krissie, our PR master, to promote & market the Camp Trend team from St. Paul MN. We also have a handful of other contributors that help develop new ideas and content for the Camp Trend audience.
Mark & Nives film fly fishing deep in the Ashlu in Squamish BC
Carl promotes the stylish Camp by Camp T-shirt
Prepping a tent at our “secret campspot” in Big Sur
Which vessel are you driving and does it have a nickname?
We are driving a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD series – this rugged & reliable truck has never let us down and has yet to get stuck in the gnarly terrain we come across when finding new roads and “off the grid” campspots. The homemade camper that Mark and Nives built is their sleeping area, office, and kitchen, with everything powered by Solar and has earned the name “Base Camper”. Carl travels with us in the Chevy but camps out in a tent nearby every night.
Camp setup in Keyesville, CA
Early morning in Lake Isabella, CA – notice Carl sleeping next to the fire?
Road-side campspot off scenic Highway 180 in Kings Canyon National Park
Nives packing up the kitchen after restocking at Trader Joes
CampTrend crew enjoying a fire in Anza Borrego
What is camp trend ? Did you quit a daily job for this new on-the-road lifestyle?
Camp Trend is an authentic outdoor network. I use the word “authentic” because we are one of very few (if any!) companies that live & work on the road fulltime producing professional content for outdoor brands and networks. In other words, we are a Future Studio, meaning Camp Trend produces exclusive content, documents our lifestyle, and shares the Camp Trend influence with our 20K+ following.
Filming promotional content for the new Chevrolet Colorado
Mark quit a dream job at NFL Films, Nives left behind her career as a professional make-up artist & stylist, and Carl left Boston after a decade of work in the music & entertainment industry. When you have as strong of a passion and love for outdoors & camping that we do, the decision to leave our “mainstream” lifestyle and careers was pretty easy.
It looks like you always find awesome locations to make your photoshoot, which one was your favorite lately?
Spent a lot of time in Kings Canyon National Park (awesome!) and am currently in Squamish BC. Every shoot and location is special, but our time in Squamish has been unreal and continues to surprise each day – I don’t see us leaving here anytime soon!
Close up of one of our tents in Black Rock Reservoir, CA
Light art in Keyesville, CA
You guys also cover music festival, which was your favorite live performance lately?
Haven’t been to a festival together as the Camp Trend team yet – but we are looking forward to checking some out soon, such as the Joshua Tree Music Festival & Catskill Chill.
Can you give us 3 new items that every van captain should have in their van this summer ?
1. Solar Panels
2. Yeti Cooler
3. Snow Peak Pack & Carry Fireplace
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