The Happy Camper: Gear Up with My New Merchandise!
It’s official! I have my own The Happy Camper merch. I bet nobody saw that coming.
I’ve done The Happy Camper merchandise concept a couple of times before. I threw out some eye-catching hats and showy t-shirts to the audience during one of my spring speaking tours a number of years ago. But I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t that keen on having chipped enamel camp mugs and embroidered winter toques for sale like you see some YouTube celebs doing. There’s nothing wrong with it; it just wasn’t my thing.
What changed my mind? Well, I had someone come up to me a couple months back with a The Happy Camper hoodie and asked me to sign it. I got out a sharpie and scribed it for them, but I also had to inform them that it wasn’t my branded swag. It was a knock-off. The paddler looked puzzled and commented, “Well then, maybe you should do your own… but with a purpose.” They made a good point.
Literally the next day after the fake merch incident, I got a note from David Webb, president and publisher of Explore Magazine. We had a chat about writing for the magazine for over two decades and he wondered how we could change things up a bit. He asked me if I would ever consider an exclusive collaboration with Explore to do The Happy Camper x Explore merchandise. I happily said yes. It all made good sense to me now. But I did list conditions: apart from the silliness and satire it would provide, the swag had to have a purpose. David agreed, wholeheartedly.
We now bring you a curated line of apparel and accessories designed to inspire your next outdoor adventure. Plus—10% of all sales benefit Camp Outlook, a registered Ontario charity based in Kingston, Ontario, which encourages young people from 13 to 17 years old to develop their inner strength, self-worth and capacity to succeed by giving them the opportunity to participate in extended backcountry canoe expeditions free of charge.
You’ve got a wide selection to choose from: tote-bags, camp mugs, t-shirts, classic 3/4 sleeve baseball raglan shirts, crew-neck sweats, hoodies, dad hats, five-panel caps, embroidered toques, a packable jacket with a front kangaroo pocket (my favourite of the bunch) and… you guessed it… a whiskey fireside rocks glass!
The Happy Camper x Explore patch is placed on each product and there’s some fun/meaningful slogans placed throughout as well; particular statements I’m known to make about our time spent outdoors:
Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!
Another Bend in the River
No Problems, Just Solutions
My Favourite Canoe Trip Is the Next One
(and… you guessed it…) Too Much Whiskey Is Barely Enough
Each product is good quality, priced right and is made especially for you as soon as you place your order, which is why it takes Explore a bit longer to deliver to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction and goes towards making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
I hope everyone has fun with this project. Make sure to stuff Christmas stocking with camp mugs and t-shirts, keep friends and family cozy this winter in hoodies and toques and have a wee dram by the fire with The Happy Camper whisky glasses.
Slàinte, and thanks for helping out a great cause that Explore and I are very passionate about—getting youth outdoors.
