This is not a drill! It’s really happening–Base Camp Outdoors Co. is officially making the big move out of our basement and into a beautiful brick-and-mortar location in the vibrant Water Street District of downtown Dayton. We’re so excited about this move–and even more big things are in motion for our business this year. As lifelong Daytonians, we love this city and all it has to offer. We’ve been so inspired by the renaissance of small businesses in the area and the vibrancy and walkability of Dayton’s downtown, and we can’t wait for Base Camp to be part of that!

We know you’re as excited as we are, but before we share all the details, let’s take a stroll down memory lane so you can see how we got here.

The Power of Love

Brycen (President/CEO and Dad-About-Town) and Claire (VP and Professional Bandana Wearer) met at a young age, fell in love, and tied the knot. They’d grown up in the greater Dayton area, but when it came time to choose a home of their own, they knew that they wanted to settle in the city. They bought a house in the Walnut Hills neighborhood and looked forward to raising their kids amid the creativity, inclusion, and uniqueness they’d come to love so much about Dayton. 

They dreamed of having the time and energy to connect more with the Dayton community, but like so many people they felt tied to the traditional ideals of a steady job. However, as Dolly has taught us, the 9 to 5 is all takin’ and no givin’, and the grind soon caused their mental health to suffer. As they began to prioritize healing for themselves and their family, Claire and Brycen turned to travel and spending more time outdoors. 

Gradually the pieces started to fall into place–love for the Dayton community, a passion for the outdoors, the desire to break out of the cycle and go after a new dream–and Base Camp was born. Life’s too short, they thought. If not now, when?

Cut to September 2022: Brycen had just quit his job, and Base Camp wasn’t much more than a dream. He and Claire were enjoying the patio at Moeller Brew Barn when they realized the incredible potential of the building next door. That spark turned into months of daydreaming about the possibilities, followed by more months of establishing the Base Camp brand and figuring out a plan to make that dream a reality. 

Working with the Dayton Site Seeker program, a resource for local businesses looking for office and retail space downtown, Claire and Brycen saw a lot of potential homes for Base Camp, some good, some not so good. But no matter where they went, they couldn’t stop thinking about that space next to Moeller. 

It was a long shot at best to think that they’d ever secure that building, but…

They did it! Months of working and dreaming and planning have paid off. Oh and lots of blood, sweat, and tears. (Seriously, lots.) Through it all, Team Base Camp has been propelled forward by our excitement and conviction that this dream of ours is going to grow into something amazing. We are over the moon that Base Camp will open in our dream location later this year.

Back to the Future

• A big grand opening party
• Shopping for fun and funky outdoor gear and merch
• An environment where you’re encouraged to come as you are
• Collaborations with bakers, makers, and educators
• And much, much more!

Did we mention Base Camp’s new space is right across the street from Day Air Ballpark, home of the Dayton Dragons?! We can’t wait to roll up the windows across the front of the building and enjoy the sights and sounds of baseball. Grab a drink at Moeller and come enjoy the game with us–we’re part of downtown Dayton’s new, expanded DORA!

We hope you’re as excited as we are about all of the big things happening for Base Camp. In addition to this big move to our brick-and-mortar location, we are looking forward to continuing to cultivate a community of adventure seekers here in Dayton. Dayton’s incredible outdoor spaces–from parks to trails to gardens–have provided the Base Camp family with endless hours of enjoyment and connection to nature, and our mission is to encourage and equip others to connect consciously with nature as well. 

Above all, we hope that our story will inspire you to set your sights on a dream and go after it. We’ll see you downtown this summer!