Portland-based Camp Yoshi sets sights on expansion
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Grab your friends or meet new ones in Oregon's wild outdoors. Photo: Courtesy of Camp Yoshi
When Rashad Frazier launched Camp Yoshi in the fall of 2020, his mission was to create a space where people of color could feel comfortable recreating in the deepest parts of the Pacific Northwest backcountry.
- Nearly five years on, the company's community has grown exponentially, and Frazier has nationwide expansion in his sights.
The big picture: Camp Yoshi began as Frazier's personal experiment in reclamation and rest during the pandemic and summer of racial justice protests. He and some friends trekked out to Oregon's Alvord Desert — with Frazier mapping out the excursion, packing the bags and cooking the meals himself.
- Since then, Frazier, who is based in Portland, has leaned on his background as a chef and love of the outdoors to create a full-fledged adventure brand offering curated trips across the globe.
What he's saying: "Our idea for this was: 'How did you feel when you were a kid going to summer camp?'" he told Axios. "It's the same vibe for the professional who grinds all the time and doesn't have 30 minutes to disconnect or detox."
The vibe: At Camp Yoshi, guests don't have to lift a finger. Everything is planned, packed and set up beforehand. The only thing to worry about, Frazier said, is having a good time.
- Day trips on tap this summer include a guided river rafting excursion on the Deschutes, an open-fire dinner party on Mount Hood, backpacking to find hidden waterfalls and surfing lessons on the coast.
- The "Trips to Nowhere" series, which takes place over three days, usually focuses on a theme (like singles-only) or place (like Moab, Utah and Crater Lake).
- Camp Yoshi launched international trips three years ago, to Tanzania. Upcoming expeditions include Japan, Brazil and Puerto Rico.
By the numbers: Trips range from $100 to up to $8,000, and can host around two dozen travelers.
State of plate: Frazier sets the menu and executes the meals on most retreats.
- Dishes like coffee-rubbed trout, wood-fire short ribs, breakfast tacos and vegan bean stew with salsa verde are some of his favorites to cook.
Between the lines: While Camp Yoshi's early guests were Black and Brown creatives largely from Portland, the community has become increasingly diverse and international.
- Now, people who work in medicine, banking, art and academia are flying in from places like Los Angeles, New York, Houston and Atlanta for the chance to unplug.
- "Communities of all backgrounds show up on our trips," he said. "So I think it's more about how your village will find you no matter what it is."
What's next: Even though the Camp Yoshi team is small, with only three full-time staff, Frazier wants to replicate the model in other markets, citing Chicago and Washington, D.C. as two he's eyeing.