Meet Dan Camp | Outdoor Professional, Whitewater Enthusiast, and Host of the Camping Out podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dan Camp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dan, how do you think about risk?
When you enter outdoor action sports, risk management will always be one of your most important relationships. That’s why I absolutely HATE when people say things like “safety third”! As an outdoor professional and a facilitator of outdoor experiences, risk management is how you ensure everyone involved has a good time and leaves the trip with a positive outlook. In order to continue to protect and advocate for our favorite natural areas, we need good stewards. To create good stewards of natural spaces, we need to create spaces where people can safely get into outdoor recreation! Once we have established the importance of risk management, people can push more heavily outside of their comfort zone and into their adventure zone! By arming yourself with knowledge, skill, and experience, your relationship with risk can be something that is really fun to explore rather than something to be scared of.

In my time as a whitewater kayaker and overall outdoor enthusiast, I’ve learned a lot of lessons on how to tip toe that line of risk and reward. Some of my favorite moments on the water have been when I’ve been able to assess a situation and feel like my crew has the skill level to crush it. I’ve also had moments where friends and myself have been put in very serious danger. There are some stories that I still won’t tell my mom! With those moments in mind, it’s extremely important to learn the hard lessons and be grateful that everyone walked away in one piece.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since I have my toes dipping in several ponds, I describe myself as an “outdoor professional”. Currently, I’m the sales manager of Adventure Office, the software for outfitters. We offer a full suite of features specifically for tour operators. Before that, I was the operations manager and river guide for Wildman Adventure Resort in Northeast Wisconsin. I’m also partnered with several brands including Astral and Rocky Mountain Rafts. On top of that, I am building a personal brand around my podcast, Camping Out with Dan Camp. All of these parts play together really well and allow me to continue to build an AMAZING network of incredible people. My overall goal through everything I do is to help others get outside sustainably and equitably. I’ve found my strength in networking and helping connect the dots between projects and people. The outdoor industry is constantly changing and adapting, just like you must when paddling whitewater. Being adaptable and open to change has been incredibly important in continuing to grow and take steps toward goals.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since my lifestyle is exceptionally nomadic, it would really depend on where we were! Here are a few staples to a trip to visit me: Good food, good booze, good tunes, and lots of laughter! Depending on where we were, we’d work in some outdoor adventure as well. Since my old van also doubles as a gear hauler, options include kayaking, rafting, climbing, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, and of course fresh coffee at the campsite in the morning! When I go into the city, I’m looking for the best live music experience and some local favorites. I’ll try to work from a coffee shop or brewery to figure out the favorites of the staff there. I also am a big fan of museums, so if there are unique opportunities like that, sign me up!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without several groups of people! My parents have always been the most supportive, even though half the things I do make my mom extremely nervous. My dad was the one who suggested becoming a raft guide, which opened so many doors for me. As I grew into the outdoor industry, I had a few mentors that helped me realize that this passion could transition into a full-time gig. The Neumann and Giordano families at Wildman Adventure Resort in Northeast Wisconsin took a chance on me with my first full-time position, managing and growing their business. Their river manager named James helped me learn the ins and outs of safely creating a great trip for guests. Justin and Alli Shurr, owners of Shurr Adventures, showed me love and how passion can lead to creating a successful business that allows them to continue to live a lifestyle centered around the outdoors. I’m constantly inspired by my closest friends as well. Through shared experiences, we’ve created a bond through outdoor adventure that’s immeasurable. And I’m constantly learning from them!

Website: https://www.dancamp.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dantcamp/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-camp-671b22120

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.camp.756

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ViT4U5BCDp6UeRZ7VXxR3?si=775d3acd69db439d: Podcast on Spotify https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/camping-out-with-dan-camp/id1521480607: Podcast on Apple