Rothrock Outfitters on Penn Street im Huntingdon is hosting an event from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, to promote and answer questions about hammocks and hammock camping.
“A hammock makes a great gift for yourself or another (adventurous) person in your life,” Shane Stoehr, owner of journeymanhammocks.com and creator of the Journeyman Hammock Camp. “The Journeyman Hammock Camp makes a thoughtful holiday gift for every adventurer!”
Thursday’s pop-up event will include presentations about how to achieve a comfortable and flat lay when in a hammock, the differences between camping and lounging hammocks, what beginning hammock campers should look for when comparing hammocks and a question-and-answer segment.
“Misconceptions and bad advice regarding the idea of camping in a hammock abound online,” Stoehr said. “I’ll answer all questions, including what do you do when there are no trees and aren’t you concerned about being a bear taco. The pop-up event provides an opportunity for curious campers to have their questions answered by a real, dedicated hammock enthusiast and … experience the best, fully integrated and beginner-friendly hammock camp for themselves.”
Thursday’s event will also include free Standing Stone coffee and scones from Wildflower Café.
In November, Stoehr competed in one of four 10-week-long Ben Franklin TechCelerator competitions. According to cnp.benfranklin.org, the TechCelerator program provides weekly group sessions with content experts in marketing, sales, finance and more – to help entrepreneurs shape their business and develop a pitch presentation to take the first step toward funding.
He was required to create a comprehensive business plan and present it to a panel of judges via Zoom.
As a result, Stoehr received two out of the program’s four prizes: the $1,000 People’s Choice and the $1,000 Heddison Transformation awards.
Stoehr decided to collaborate with Harry Biddle, manager of Rothrock Outfitters, after meeting him at Raystown Trail Days over the summer.
“RRO and JMH both cater to the outdoor adventurer,” Stoehr said. “After receiving a Journeyman Hammock Camp this fall, he re-opened the conversation by telling us how he has enjoyed using the camp while bike-packing. RRO exists to help serve the needs of bikers and canoers and kayakers in the recreation capital of Huntingdon County. “
He said the decision was easy.
The Journeyman Hammock Camp is designed to be used while camping via bicycle, canoe, kayak, motorcycle or any other form of adventure travel. My facility is less of an hour away from RRO. It was an easy yes!”
Biddle especially likes the bug net and under quilt built into the Journeyman Hammock Camp.
“I was pretty impressed with the (journeyman) hammock and the whole package,” Biddle said.
Stoehr hopes people who come to the Q&A event will want to incorporate hammocks in their next encampment excursion.
“Hammock camping is a comfortable, warm, dry and bug-free way to experience sleeping … outdoors,” Stoehr said. “After experiencing the Journeyman Hammock Camp, you’ll never want to sleep on the cold, hard ground again.”
