Camping Tools is a journaling app for camping memories. It stems from a personal and family-rooted passion for camping and it was built to inspire travel itinerary ideas by enabling you to share your camping experience online with friends and offering a marketplace for outdoor enthusiasts to rent gear with authentic reviews. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Camping Tools CEO Robert McMillan to learn more about the company.
Robert McMillan’s Background
What is Robert McMillan’s background? McMillan said:
“I have a degree in physics and have spent the last 25 years as an Enterprise Architect, designing and building enterprise systems. Notably, I built the first statewide pre-kindergarten student information system in the US when I was 29 years old.”
“Initially, with just a physics degree, I found career options limited without a PhD. A friend, a Cisco Certified Instructor and Novell expert, encouraged me to get certified. After earning my Novell Engineer certificate, I secured a job, discovered a passion for programming and databases, and transitioned into project management to keep up with the evolving tech landscape of the 90s and 2000s.”
“My love for adventure began with family camping trips out west during my childhood. These trips, filled with the excitement of new landscapes, instilled a lifelong passion for travel and the outdoors. I recreated these experiences with my own kids, fostering a deep connection to nature.”
“This passion inspired my app. The idea came from the joy of planning and experiencing camping trips and the tranquility of mornings by the campfire with a percolator coffee pot. When COVID hit and shortly after my father passed—a significant influence on my love for camping—I bought a pickup truck and an RV. I took my kids on a trip out west and decided to turn my passion into a full-time project.”
“I channeled my experiences and memories into developing the app, attending RV shows, gathering feedback, and gaining the confidence to bring my vision to life.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? McMillan reflected:
“My favorite memory so far has been discovering new camping spots and sharing those experiences. This past March, I had an unforgettable trip outside Tucson, Arizona. I arrived late at night at a place called Redington Pass, navigating twisty, steep, and rough roads. I had to switch my truck to four-wheel drive while pulling the RV, unsure what to expect.”
“When I finally parked, I saw the city lights in the distance and knew I was in for a treat. The next morning, I opened the door to a breathtaking view—100 miles of valley stretching out west, with a mountain range in the distance. It felt like a scene from ‘Lord of the Rings.’ Sitting on that hill, unplugged from electronics, and watching the sunset each day was truly amazing.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? McMillan explained:
“Our core product is a mobile app and a website designed to enhance and simplify your camping experience. The app helps you plan, capture, and share your camping adventures. It offers social sharing, allowing you to post and share your memories with others. You can review and explore other users’ trips, including their waypoints and stops, and track your own waypoints and stops as well. Additionally, the app includes features for creating and sharing packing and shopping lists, making trip coordination much easier. For example, my wife and I use the app to share our packing lists, ensuring everything is organized in one place. This functionality makes planning and executing camping trips more enjoyable and efficient.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have McMillan and the team faced in building the company? McMillan acknowledged:
“As with any startup, we face the common challenge of having an extensive roadmap with limited resources. We’re constantly striving to do more with less and deliver maximum value. As a founder, balancing the need to secure investment while executing our plans is a constant struggle. We’ve overcome these challenges by finding and attracting phenomenal talent, often incentivizing them with equity. Some team members receive a mix of cash and equity, while others opt for pure equity. The key has been finding the right people at the right stage in their careers willing to take a risk and work towards something extraordinary.”
Evolution Of Camping Tools’ Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? McMillan noted:
“Since launching, our technology has significantly evolved. We have experience using the Google platform since 2013, and we leverage their continuous rollout of new capabilities. Initially, our prototype had a certain level of performance, but we built it to scale from the beginning. As we grew, we needed to enhance our performance further.”
“We transitioned from using App Engine and DataStore to Kubernetes, MongoDB, and containerization. This shift required balancing our limited resources and managing highly specialized skill sets. Before making these major transitions, we had to ensure we built to the maximum of our current capabilities. The real challenge was evolving our technology without disrupting our ongoing operations.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? McMillan cited:
“Our most significant milestones include the launch of the web app. However, surpassing even that was the release of our mobile app. While we had experience managing and building apps, we opted to outsource the initial version to a company specializing in mobile apps, utilizing Flutter for seamless deployment across Android and iOS platforms.”
“Since then, securing partnerships with key organizations like CareCamps.org and the Boy Scouts of America, now known as Scouting America, has been crucial. Initially focused on product delivery, we have since transitioned to building strong relationships within the camping community. Notably, our involvement with Grand Design Rallies, a significant RV vendor, has garnered recognition and appreciation in the marketplace. These milestones mark our journey of growth and impact in the camping industry.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking McMillan about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“We’ve had remarkable success stories, particularly with organizations like the Boy Scouts and Care Camps. While our app wasn’t initially designed with them in mind, we discovered that it could assist Boy Scouts in achieving certain merit badges related to journalism, communications, and camping. This partnership has been mutually beneficial, providing scouts with a tool to fulfill badge requirements while enhancing their camping experiences. As a gesture of support, we offer free accounts to Boy Scouts, allowing them to utilize the app throughout their scouting journey.”
“Our collaboration with Care Camps is also significant. With over 20,000 kids attending their camps annually, our app contributes by donating $5 per annual subscription to Care Camps, helping to send more children to camp and enrich their lives through outdoor experiences.”
“Moreover, attending events like the Outdoor Writers Association of America has been invaluable. Engaging with writers and photographers who share our passion for the outdoors validates our concept beyond our immediate market. Their appreciation for what we’re trying to achieve inspires us to continue pushing forward.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? McMillan assessed:
“Our estimated total spend within the market is approximately $40 billion. We’ve identified various sectors within the market, such as the 11 million licensed RVs in the US and the 600,000 RVs purchased annually. Additionally, the US accounts for only 46% of the global market, indicating significant opportunities in regions like the UK and Europe, spanning the entire spectrum of European countries.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? McMillan affirmed:
“Our unique focus on the social aspect sets us apart from other camping apps. While other platforms primarily help users find campsites or trails, we prioritize the social experience of camping. Unlike larger social media sites, we don’t employ algorithms designed to manipulate user engagement. Instead, we provide the features users want without compromising their privacy. While we charge for our mobile app, we do not sell user information, ensuring a transparent and user-centric experience.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? McMillan concluded:
“As our mobile app is still in its early stages, we aim to expand its features to create a more engaging platform. We aim to establish it as the go-to social hub for camping enthusiasts, consolidating communities into one accessible space. Simplifying the user experience and providing a comprehensive platform aligns with our vision of fostering a vibrant camping community.”
