Our Story
Happy Camper Voyages was founded on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to do 2 things: explore the world, and attend summer camp. The organization’s founder, Isaac Black, started Happy Camper after spending several years traveling all around the world, including completing the Guinness Book of World Records’ “Longest Road in the World”, the Pan-American Highway. He began to notice that no matter where he went, there was clearly an incredible positive impact that traveling and the outdoors was having on him the people he met along the way. The only thing he could compare this to was the personal growth he experienced as a young adult at summer camp, and that’s when the gears started to turn. He knew there had to be a way to combine the two things he loved most in to one wild and impactful adventure.
Recognizing a gap in accessible outdoor adventures to our nation’s national parks for middle and high school students, Isaac set out to create a nonprofit travel camp that combines the whimsy and discovery of national park road trips, with the community and skill building of a summer camp. These two things helped him become the best version of himself in life, and now he wants to help young adults today do the same through similar experiences.
Through our programs, we intend to incorporate all of the traditional characteristics that make summer camp an impactful experience for youths: camaraderie, team-building, positive role models, skill development, and outdoor recreation; all while road-tripping around the United States and visiting the most incredible natural spaces this country has to offer. Our national parks and other public lands belong to all of us, and so it’s only right that kids get to see all they have to offer. By blending the independence-building experiences of traditional summer camps with the adventure of world travel , we provide young adults with a multi-faced, enriching, and formative affair that will have a positive impact on their lives for years to come.
Established as a 501(c)(3) organization, Happy Camper Voyages is dedicated to enriching the lives of ALL children through adventure and a connection to the environment. It has been important for us from the very beginning to help kids of all backgrounds and abilities experience the magic of trips like this, which is why we offer up to 100% scholarships to cover the cost of camp for families who would otherwise not be able to afford the entire amount.
