Austin Handel: The Maker Camp

“I'd seen all these awesome people on Instagram and stuff making incredible things. But I never really fathom that there is this interconnected network of all of these makers and influencers that like I didn't realize it like everybody already knew each other for the most part. And they were just looking for an excuse to come together and like share their skills with one another.”

-Austin Handel

Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast. Today, your host Steve Larosiliere is joined by Austin Handel from The Maker Camp. In the world of craftsmanship and creativity, there are places that serve as hubs for artisans to gather, learn, and share their skills. One such place is Maker Camp, a unique and grassroots event located in eastern New York. In this podcast episode, we explore the journey of Austin Handel, the mastermind behind Maker Camp, as he talks about the inception of the event, its growth, and the challenges he has overcome to make it a thriving success.

Listen now and get the whole story!

“whenever I find something that people are interested in, I tried to find ways to expand on it. Like last year, I had purchased Neiman teaching silver smithing classes and people really liked it. So I've got somebody doing some some cold for metal smithing.”



-Austin Handel



Building a Community

Austin reflects on the sense of community that has grown around Maker Camp. He discovered that the maker community was not just a loose collection of individuals but a tightly-knit network of passionate artisans and influencers. The first year of Maker Camp served as a transformative experience for him, as he realized the depth of interconnectedness within the maker world.

Planning and Growth

Organizing Maker Camp is no small feat, and Austin explains how the planning process typically begins immediately after the previous year's event. The podcast delves into Austin's meticulous planning process and how he incrementally adds new elements and classes each year to enhance the experience for attendees.

The International Reach of Maker Camp

Maker Camp's popularity has grown significantly, with attendees coming from various parts of the world, including Norway, Japan, Germany, the UK, and Canada. Austin expresses his pride in putting his small town of East Durham on the map, drawing people from across the globe to his family's resort.



“ I love and I get energy from people, but then when I'm done, I'm like, I just want to squirrel away for a little bit. Just like refocus, not be around the energy. “

-Steve Larosiliere 

Want to get in touch with Austin Handel?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themakercamp/



Website: https://catskillmountainmakerscamp.com/2023-events