Camp Kozi
Guided outdoor experiences designed for people who are ready to step outside and breathe a little. No expertise required.
What We Do
The city doesn't stop. The notifications don't stop. Camp Kozi is the exhale. We create guided, comfort-first camping experiences where you can disconnect from the noise, reconnect with yourself, and build connections with fellow campers.
We handle the planning, the gear, and the structure. You just show up ready to try something new.
Who It’s For
Camp Kozi is for people who want to step outside their comfort zone without stepping outside alone. Groups are small, the activities intentional, and the bar for entry low.
Maybe you've thought about camping. Maybe you went once as a kid. Maybe the idea sounds good but the execution feels like a lot. Maybe you just need the right setup and the right people around you to actually do it.
Camp Kozi got you!
How We Camp
Camp Kozi is a communal experience by design. That means shared meals, shared responsibilities, and moments that become ones you talk about later. We create a structure for learning and connection that doesn’t feel forced. This isn't the individualistic grind you left behind in the city. Out there, we do it together.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You'll have your own twin-sized airbed inside a spacious 12-person tent shared between you and one other person, giving you plenty of personal space to keep your quarter Kozi. One of the first things you'll do when you arrive is learn how to set up your tent with support from your facilitators. By the time you're done, you'll have earned your home base for the trip.
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Tents are shared, that's part of what makes Camp Kozi special. Your tentmate is someone you'll meet before the trip at our pre-camp orientation, so by the time you're zipping up for the night, they're already familiar. Some of our best camp friendships started in a shared tent.
Outside tents are currently not allowed. The shared tent experience is intentional and central to how Camp Kozi works. Plus, with a 12-person tent split between two people, you'll have more space than you'd expect. Our setup is part of the experience.
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We exclusively pick campgrounds with hot showers, flushable toilets and accessible outlets. While it’s not the Four Seasons, it's clean, functional, and better than you might be imagining.
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Safety is our top priority. In the event of severe weather, campers will have access to heated onsite cabins at no additional cost. Please note that refunds are not available.
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We highly discourage arriving late or leaving early, as it can disrupt the community-building flow and overall experience of the trip. That said, we understand that scheduling conflicts and emergencies happen. If you know ahead of time, let us know as soon as possible. That way we can coordinate with you to ensure you have the best experience possible.
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Getting to the campsite is on you, but we make it easier. We organize a Kozi Convoy before each trip so that anyone who wants to carpool can connect with fellow campers heading the same way. It's a great way to start the trip early. The campsite is about 4 hours from Chicago.
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Maybe not and that’s totally ok! Most folks come solo, and that’s part of what makes camp fun. We kick things off with an in-person orientation so you can meet everyone, get comfortable, and start feeling part of the group before camp even begins.
Bringing friends? That’s cool too. Let us know beforehand whether or not you want to tent together and we’ll make it happen.
About Us
We’re Kaia and Corinne, Chicago-based best friends, former coworkers at We Got Y'all, and the co-owners of Camp Kozi. After COVID, the need to be outside pushed us to explore the outdoors more. Through camping with friends, we realized how much we loved slowing down, being in nature, and connecting around the campfire. But we also noticed something missing. We didn’t see many people who looked like us having these experiences.
As people who didn’t grow up camping often, we understand how intimidating the outdoors can sometimes feel. So we created Camp Kozi, a space where first-time campers and outdoor lovers alike can feel welcome, supported, and connected.
With backgrounds in education, program management, and community building, we create intentional outdoor experiences centered around connection, comfort, and joy.
Loved by Campers.
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Dreams Fulfilled
“I got to live out one of my top childhood dreams of going on a camping trip and it was everything I hoped for and more!”
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Nice & Kozi
“As a first time camper, the CK team made sure that we were all well informed and provided us with all of necessary items to a) be cozy lol while sleeping in a tent and b) provided an amazing opportunity to connect with others and just dissociate from the city and just get into the wilderness.”
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Ready for the next trip
“I’d totally come back! The group was so warm and welcoming, and everything about the experience was incredibly organized and transparent. It’s clear a lot of thought went into every detail, from the prep materials and shopping guidance to the orientation, which made it so easy and enjoyable even for a first-time camper.”