Not long ago, Camp N Car founder Steve Moore was working for the Washington Trails Association and was introduced by various coworkers to a nomadic way of life that didn’t just seem feasible but enjoyable. After a quick spring trip to Alaska, Steve was hooked and knew he’d be back. He began researching vehicles to convert and looked into various seasonal and remote work options. Steve found the perfect blend between gas mileage, all-wheel drive, and convertibility in the Honda Element. Rather than work a seasonal job or work remotely, Steve decided to lean into his long-time avocation of playing music. After successful gigs around Seattle, playing everywhere from small cafés and wineries, Steve was able to line up a series of steady gigs between Washington and Juneau, where he’d play in the Alaska Folk Festival.
The First Car Camping Build
Luckily, Steve’s friend Martin, now a fellow cofounder of Camp N Car, agreed to apply his engineering and 3-D modeling skills to the build. Using a CNC machine available through Martin’s work, the two went to work cutting and framing the build that would carry Steve through his Alaska adventures. While Steve had to brush up on his carpentry skills to complete the build, and a few repairs and adjustments were required on the road, the build was relatively seamless and left Steve with a conversion that many fellow campers quickly pointed out was professional-level quality.
To Canada
Steve’s first gig took him to Prince George, British Columbia, a sleepy college town about 500 miles North of Port Townsend, surrounded by dense forest and bisected by the Fraser and Nechako rivers. Slowly but surely, Steve worked towards Alaska with shows in Port St. John, White Hose, and Juneau. Steve had no trouble finding suitable campsites each night with the vast sea of public land available in BC and the Yukon. Occasionally, he’d meet friends along the way and crash on couches.
The Alaska Folk Festival
The Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau was a whirlwind experience dominated by non-stop music, parties, and memorable moments that paved the way for an unbound Alaska trip. Along the way, Steve learned to break free from routine, say yes unapologetically, and cope with the absence of structure in his life. While merely existing nomadically takes a good portion of the day, life in Alaska is not always as picturesque as one might think. Days of rain and perpetual isolation can be highly disruptive, but teach patience, gratitude, and how to channel energy into creativity and productivity. Life in Alaska comes with its share of risks, from the rugged landscape and unpredictable wildlife to people and places that proved to be a little rough around the edges. For all the risks accompanying travel in Alaska, its unapparelled beauty far outweighs any threat to life or limb. Alaska has an incomprehensible level of wilderness that includes mammoth glaciers, mountain peaks that fall into the ocean, and thousands of miles of pristine forests.
Throughout Steve’s Alaska trip, he encountered other travelers who admired his build and asked what professional shop had outfitted his Element. When he replied that he and his friend Martin did the entire build themselves, the response was typically one of surprise and praise, often accompanied by someone saying, “You guys could make a lot of money selling a build like this.” Still, the idea for Camp N Car wouldn’t germinate in Steve and Martin’s minds for a few more months. After returning to Washington, Steve found himself at a crossroads. Unemployed and without a clear direction, he quickly secured a job in Port Townsend, where he moved in with Martin. Although the housing and job situation fell into place, Steve felt unfulfilled in his new role. The job was stressful and misaligned with his passions, leaving him feeling aimless in his career. The grind of a 9-to-5 that didn’t inspire him only deepened his longing for something more meaningful.
The Return to Washington and the Start of Something New
Meanwhile, Martin, who had been working at the same place for years, also felt the strain of burnout. As they navigated their living situation together, the idea of starting a business began to take root. The two friends dreamed of a future where they could work on projects that excited them, and the idea of helping others experience the joys of car camping began to crystallize. After several weeks living together, Steve and Martin experienced particularly challenging days at their jobs. That shared moment of dissatisfaction became the catalyst for action. Rather than endure more of the same, they chose to forge their own path. The pair formed an LLC and turned their vision of car camping conversions into reality.
Camp N Car’s first year (2019) was relatively slow. They took on three builds to build a portfolio and begin making a name for themselves in the PNW. By 2021, the duo secured their shop, found an additional business partner, and were able to hire their first employee. Since then, Camp N Car has blossomed into one of the region’s most in-demand conversion garages in the PNW. From full van conversions to car camping furniture, Camp N Car does it all. Now, in the third iteration of the Camp N Car shop, the brand continues to grow and inspire others to hit the open road.