Today we’d like to introduce you to Camp Nisswa.
Hi Camp, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Camp Nisswa isn’t a camp—it’s a way of life.
We’ve always been here. Grew up exploring the Nisswa and Brainerd Lakes Area, spending summers on the water, winters on the trails, and weekends discovering new events, restaurants, and local spots. No matter how long we’ve been around, there’s always something new to stumble on in this place. But we noticed something: there wasn’t one go-to spot that brought it all together.
So, four friends—Steve, Greg, Matt, and David—decided to change that.
What started as a simple idea quickly turned into something bigger. Camp Nisswa was created to be a one-stop hub where both locals and visitors could easily find everything happening in the area. From live music and community events to small-town gems and seasonal happenings, we wanted to build a space that reflects the true heartbeat of this place.
That’s why we proudly say: Everything Nisswa.
Our Mission
From the very beginning, our mission has been simple: support local, showcase the mom-and-pop shops, and bring value to this amazing community. The businesses that pour their heart into what they do—the ones that give this place its soul—deserve to be seen and celebrated. Camp Nisswa is here to shine a light on them, to help keep this community thriving, and to make sure that when people visit, they experience the real Nisswa.
More Than Just a Website
Camp Nisswa isn’t about event listings—it’s about connection. It’s about capturing the essence of the region—the people, the pride, the small-town charm that keeps folks coming back year after year. Whether it’s telling stories, spotlighting local events, or keeping everyone in the loop on what’s happening around town, we’re here to celebrate all the things that make Nisswa what it is.
Welcome to Camp Nisswa—where the adventure never ends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like anything worth building, it hasn’t always been smooth—but it’s been worth every step.
We started from scratch. No roadmap, no big budget—just four friends with different backgrounds, a shared love for the area, and a vision. Between us, we brought years of marketing, business, and local knowledge to the table, and even then, we were figuring it out as we went. One of the biggest challenges early on was simply helping people understand what Camp Nisswa is and why we’re doing it.
Adoption takes time. But we’ve been lucky—really lucky—to have people in the community who believed in what we were building. Northern Gifts & Sweets in Nisswa and The Spot -371- in Brainerd were two of the first to jump in with us. When we decided to launch Camp Nisswa gear, we had no clue how we were going to get it out into the world. They stepped up and said, “We’ll carry it.” That support meant everything.
We get asked all the time, “Why don’t you just sell your merch online?” And the answer is simple: our mission from day one has been to support local. Sure, an online store is easy—but it’s not what Camp Nisswa is about. We wanted to bring back that feeling of discovery, of walking into a local shop and finding something you can’t get anywhere else. That’s why you’ll only find our gear in those two stores—because it’s not just about selling merch it’s about strengthening the local scene.
We’re still learning, still growing, and always trying to find ways to do more for this community. The road hasn’t been easy—but we’ve continued to pave it with passion, purpose, and a whole lot of love for the Nisswa Lakes Area.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Camp Nisswa is a local-first lifestyle brand and media hub built around one simple idea: bring everything happening in the Nisswa Lakes Area into one place. Events, live music, small-town gems, seasonal favorites, and the people behind it all—we’re here to highlight it and help people experience it.
What sets Camp Nisswa apart is that we’re not just building a website or selling a product—we’re building a feeling. A sense of community. A brand that’s rooted in authenticity and driven by a deep love for the area we call home. We’re known for being the place people go to find out what’s going on around town—from big summer events to those low-key moments you’d only know about if you’ve been coming up here for years.
We specialize in curating and promoting local events, storytelling through our blog and socials, and collaborating with area businesses to spotlight what makes them unique. And yeah—we’ve got merch. But even that’s different. Our gear isn’t just something to wear; it’s something to be part of. It’s not mass-produced or shipped worldwide. It’s exclusive to Northern Gifts & Sweets in Nisswa and The Spot -371- in Brainerd, because we believe in supporting local.
What we’re most proud of? The way people have connected with the brand. Seeing someone wear a Camp Nisswa flannel or shirt and talk about how it reminds them of summers on the lake or a weekend Up North with Grandma & Grandpa—that’s what this is all about.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone—we’re here for the people who love this place like we do. Camp Nisswa is a platform, a vibe, and a community—and we’re just getting started.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
For us, the biggest risk was putting our time, energy, and money into something brand new—something we had no guarantee would take off. That’s always the scary part. It’s the quiet moments where you wonder, What if no one gets it? What if no one likes the idea? Starting something from scratch is one thing, but doing it while juggling everything else in life… that’s a real gamble.
But here’s the thing—sometimes the biggest risk is not doing the thing.
Camp Nisswa was built on a feeling, an idea we believed in deeply. And yeah, there were moments we questioned it. Is this worth it? Are we really bringing value? Will people care? But we kept pushing forward, and looking at where things are today—the support, the community, the momentum—it’s clear that the risk was more than worth it.
And honestly, when you’re doing something you love, something that feels rooted in purpose… does it really feel like a risk? To us, it just feels right.
Risk is always part of the equation when you’re building something real. But we’ll take that any day if it means continuing to shine a light on the people, places, and stories that make this area so special.
Pricing:
- Camp Nisswa Shirts – $20 to $25
- Camp Nisswa Hoodies & Sweatshirts – $35 to $50
- Camp Nisswa Flannels – $75
- Hats – $30
- Stocking Hats – $30 to $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://campnisswa.com
- Instagram: @campnisswa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampNisswa/
- Live Music Guide: https://www.campnisswa.com/post/live-music-nisswa-brainerd-lakes-area
- Meat Raffle Guide: https://www.campnisswa.com/meat-raffle-nisswa-brainerd
- Weekend Roll Call: https://www.campnisswa.com/post/brainerd-lakes-area-weekend-events
