Innovator Stories
Patrick and Katie Banks are the founders of Foolhardy Hill, a new campground in Charlemont, MA, which opened its doors this summer. Set on a hilltop with panoramic views of the Berkshire mountains, five tiny cabins provide a private place for guests to rest. Guests also have access to a community outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and hammock grove.
Katie explains, “It is very important to us that we pay tribute to and preserve the land so that commerce does not spoil the very thing that attracts people to the area. Our campground is off-grid and designed around old logging roads to mitigate the disturbance of the forest floor. We wanted to create a simple and comfortable space where members of the outdoor community can unwind while surrounded by the natural beauty that drives their adventures.”
Innovator Stories
Meet Patrick and Katie Banks
Patrick and Katie Banks are the founders of Foolhardy Hill, a new campground in Charlemont, MA, which opened its doors this summer.
Katie explains, “It is very important to us that we pay tribute to and preserve the land so that commerce does not spoil the very thing that attracts people to the area. Our campground is off-grid and designed around old logging roads to mitigate the disturbance of the forest floor. We wanted to create a simple and comfortable space where members of the outdoor community can unwind while surrounded by the natural beauty that drives their adventures.”
Patrick and Katie see Foolhardy Hill fitting nicely into a region becoming known for ecotourism. Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, fishing and other outdoor sports are attracting a growing number of visitors in the region, and their campground is located in the center of all the action. “With an increase of visitors trespassing to camp on private land, including our own, it is clear folks are seeking lodging in Charlemont, so we said, ‘let’s give em’ a place to stay!’” said Patrick.
The Banks are no strangers to Western Massachusetts, nor to professional outdoor activity. Patrick spent his childhood along the Deerfield River and has worked as a professional raft guide for Zoar Outdoor and has been a ski patroller at Mt. Snow for the past 16 years. Katie also worked as a raft guide for Zoar Outdoor and has experience working in sales and operations management in the Vermont ski industry.
Although the Banks’ property sits on an old mountainside, the name Foolhardy Hill is a new moniker. They know that uprooting their lives to begin their campground has been a risky choice. But to Katie, the name encapsulates a lot of what their community is about. “Isn’t everything we do kind of foolhardy?” Katie asked. “When you are paddling whitewater or mountain biking, you’re always making these calculated, yet risky decisions. I feel like everybody in the outdoor world, they’re all a little foolhardy.”
Perhaps we should all aspire to be more foolhardy.
Patrick and Katie see Foolhardy Hill fitting nicely into a region becoming known for ecotourism. Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, fishing and other outdoor sports are attracting a growing number of visitors in the region, and their campground is located in the center of all the action. “With an increase of visitors trespassing to camp on private land, including our own, it is clear folks are seeking lodging in Charlemont, so we said, ‘let’s give em’ a place to stay!’” said Patrick.
The Banks are no strangers to Western Massachusetts, nor to professional outdoor activity. Patrick spent his childhood along the Deerfield River and has worked as a professional raft guide for Zoar Outdoor and has been a ski patroller at Mt. Snow for the past 16 years. Katie also worked as a raft guide for Zoar Outdoor and has experience working in sales and operations management in the Vermont ski industry.
Although the Banks’ property sits on an old mountainside, the name Foolhardy Hill is a new moniker. They know that uprooting their lives to begin their campground has been a risky choice. But to Katie, the name encapsulates a lot of what their community is about. “Isn’t everything we do kind of foolhardy?” Katie asked. “When you are paddling whitewater or mountain biking, you’re always making these calculated, yet risky decisions. I feel like everybody in the outdoor world, they’re all a little foolhardy.”
Perhaps we should all aspire to be more foolhardy.