Camp began with popsicles, a 1969 camper food truck, and a cross country road trip. After towing thousands of their handcrafted Bold City Pops in their vintage camper to the 2016 Desert Trip music festival in California, Suzanah Raffield and Rhonda Stringfellow knew they wanted to build even more community, so they deconstructed favorite pop recipes to pivot toward a shippable product. The concept of working in community was ignited during their years as camp staff. Distilling down all that they loved from their tenure as camp directors to the perfect name and mission for their business, Camp Craft Cocktails was born on I-10, with flavors that beg to be shared, and a soul for creating community.
Camp Rules
Camp is more than cocktails-- it’s a mission to build longer tables where everyone is welcome, and everyone belongs. You can sit with us, and please share your story. We want slow sips and long talks, acceptance, and a willingness to open your mind to others. Camp wants to listen and learn, to grow and stretch as a company, and as the individuals that make up Camp Staff. Let’s toast together, friends.
Owner
Suzanah Raffield
suzanah@campcraftcocktails.com
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Sue Monk Kidd. I'd chat with Sue about power dynamics in religious life and how her book Dance of the Dissident Daughter stopped me in my tracks.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
My forever favorite, Camp Aromatic Citrus. It is the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
What does camp mean to you?
Everyone belongs.
Owner
Rhonda Stringfellow
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, was a persistent rule breaker. I'd love to swap stories with her.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
Aromatic Citrus. This was a most excellent ice pop flavor of our first company, Bold City Pops. It was named Citra Milano in honor of the citrus grove keeper who fueled our recipes and the hills outside Milan where rosemary and thyme grow wild. A cocktail that can conjure person and place is a powerful sip.
What does camp mean to you?
I've always wanted the rest of the world to function like summer camp. At its best, camp fosters personal growth and excellent skills. I strive to make sure my contribution to Camp Craft Cocktails encourages growth and skill development.Also, I’m always looking for ways to use my vast fire building and camp song skill sets.
Executive Assistant
Hailey Concepcion
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? Anthony Bourdain, because he's been a lifelong culinary inspiration to me. I would like to hear all of the stories about his international travels and exploration. No Reservations is still one of my all time favorite television shows; he put such character and humor into his authentic storytelling.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why? Cherry Limeade from the Garden Party collection for sure. I'm pretty zesty like lime, but also have other things in my life to balance me out, like the cherry. I'd like to think I'm classic with a twist and thrive best in summer, especially when I can tend my own fruit and vegetable garden. Also, I literally have cherries as a tattoo so that seals the deal.
What does Camp mean to you? Camp means fun and connection. To me, it pushes us to be the best possible version of ourselves as we grow in life. It also inspires us to let loose, have fun, and enjoy the moment, no matter how small it may seem.
Relationship Specialist for Wholesale and Retail
Lauren
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Zora Neale Hurston was an amazing author and anthropologist, known for "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Besides being one of the most intelligent, fearless, and driven persons of the early 1900s, she was known to charm an entire room with her flair for the dramatic. This bright and powerful woman was also raised in Eatonville, Florida, which was so near my own hometown(relatively). I'd love to hear some of those enthralling stories over a cocktail with her!
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
After working in our Kitchen for almost 2 years, I find myself more and more identifying with the Hibiscus Ginger Lemon. I love the diverse, apothecaric ingredients of that kit, which combines the three ingredients in its name. It tastes delicious, but the flavor isn't straight-forward; it's bright yet grounding, sweet yet tart.
What does camp mean to you?
Camp means whimsy and connection and indulgence. Camp to me is a return to the animalistic base of humanity and finding that all we need is to find joy in and respect for each other as members of the human camp.
Director of Operations
Chelsea Harrelson
chelsea@campcraftcocktails.com
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would most definitely want to share a cocktail with Patti Smith. Hearing her stories about Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and Hunter S Thompson would be amazing but mostly I want to hear about all her stories of being unrelenting in not allowing expectations of her to infiltrate her performances. Also, have you read Just Kids? She's a beautiful writer. Why would anyone not want to drink with such a wonderful person?
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
Old Fashioned for sure. The Old Fashioned is sweet and bitter while packing a powerful punch. I feel like this most accurately represents who I am or at the very least who I strive to be. I feel the most influential people are those that calmly listen and maintain leveled headed in all situations, while keeping confident and assertive all in one.
What does camp mean to you?
Camp means community. I never got to go to camp as a kid but based on what I always imagined it would be like, it is a place all walks of life go and develop lifelong friendships all while facilitating your skills to be stretched and grow and learn skills you may not have gotten to learn before while being in a safe and welcoming environment.
Kitchen Production
Trisha
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I think it'd be fun to have a drink with Jack Black. I honestly can't imagine a more fun drinking buddy, and it'd be good to have someone around acting goofier than me for once.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
I definitely identify with Mountain Pass. I love a good mixture of citrus and earthy flavors. Sipping on this cocktail makes me feel like it's autumn and I'm in the mountains in North Carolina, which is such a happy daydream for me!
What does camp mean to you?
Camp means fun! I know when I go to work I'm going to have a good time working with an eclectic, fun-loving, and thoughtful community. Our team is what makes Camp one of the best places I've ever worked.
Kitchen Production Lead
Elise Elwell
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could have a cocktail with anyone it would be Barack Obama. Not only would I want to be able to hear his journey as a politician and president; I’d want to hear what his life was like growing up, college experience, what it’s like to be a husband and father. I’d also want to share our best dad jokes and see who can make each other laugh the most.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
The kit I most identify with is cranberry martini. It’s a sophisticated cocktail to slowly sip on and become acquainted with over time, yet has a little kick to it just like me!
What does camp mean to you?
Camp to me means a community of kind, hard-working people and safe place of acceptance to all walks of life. Camp is my family while I’m away from home, a place I look forward to walking into in the mornings and seeing all my beautiful coworkers, learning their stories and being the best leader I can be for them. Camp is a place of growth and love, which I’m so thankful to be a part of.
Kitchen Production
Ruby
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Bill Hicks, because I think it would be a hilarious and insightful time.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
Bloody Mary, because it's just so full and beautiful and spicy!
What does camp mean to you?
Camp means family to me because they put family first in every aspect!
Assistant Director of Operations
Crystal Chisholm
crystal@campcraftcocktails.com
If you could have a cocktail with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Elie Wiesel: Elie Wiesel was a writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor. A driven force that defended human rights and peace around the world. n the darkest time of my life his book “Night” really opened my eyes and was the start of my life for being an advocate for human rights. To be able to sit down and share stories as well as learn from Elie would be an amazing experience.
Which of our kits do you most identify with and why?
Lavender Lemonade. For me this kit not only gives me that refreshing floral spin but takes me back to the Michigan summers as a kid setting up my own lemonade stand on dirt roads surrounded by meadows. It was a life that taught me community and support. A reminder to stop at times and feel the warmth of the sun and smell the flowers.
What does camp mean to you?
Camp means Family, Community and Second Chances. No matter what or where you’ve been you are not only accepted but heard and valued. Here we get to grow not only within Camp but in life.