The other day, “06880” profiled Ali Dorfman. The “College Concierge” offers everything from admissions consultants, essay coaches and test prep companies to college gifts, swag and dorm décor — plus tips and tricks on how to eat healthfully, and the best places to stay while visiting college campuses.
But before college, another rite of passage cries out for a concierge: summer camp.
That niche too is filled. And like Dorfman, the Camp Concierge is based in Westport.
Actually, the concierge is 2 women: Randi Nazem and Bianca Jonas.
Their first venture began 10 years ago, when they lived in New York. OhSpitBaby sold monogrammed baby gifts.
Since then, Randi and Bianca moved to Westport. They rebranded their business as BRGifts2.
And they pivoted to sleepaway camps.
Randi Nazem (left) and Bianca Jonas help parents pack for camp.
They realized no one was providing one-stop shopping for camp items, tips, custom camp clothing and swag, and everything else campers (and their parents) needed.
The camp concierges meet locally with clients — or virtually, if they’re not in the area.
Randi and Bianca take and fulfill orders, and distribute them locally. They also ship nationwide.
Camp swag for a girl …
In April, an overwhelmed first-time camp mom asked if they would pack for her child, headed to Maine. The concierges quickly added that service to their list.
Two packers will travel to clients’ homes in the tri-state area, to pack trunks. They bring their own labels, bubble wrap, tape, and personalized packing cubes. It takes around 4 hours per camper.
A grateful parent said, “I had all the stuff, but nothing was organized. I needed help editing down. Randi and Bianca came all the way from Westport to the city. They took care of everything my 9-year-old will need, for the best summer of her life.”
… and boy.
It may be too late to use Randi and Bianca’s packing service this year. But you can still book the camp concierges.
They are happy to fill candy treat custom boxes for the long bus ride to camp, along with boxes that parents can bring on visiting day.
Who knows what’s next? Hey — maybe they can write a letter a day to your kid from you!
(To learn more, email brgifts2@gmail.com. Their Instagram is @brgifts2.)
(As soon as your kid heads off to camp — with help from the Camp Concierge — you’ll have some free time. You can fill a minute of it by clicking here, to support “06880.” Then you can really smile!)
I hate to be negative, but really? People need to call two women to help them pack their suitcases to go to camp? You can’t pack your own kid’s suitcase? You can’t figure it out?
I guess the packers know their children’s needs better then their mother and father. ??
Is it April Fool’s Day already?
I’m trying to get a hold of Jimmy Fallon. This is late night comedy material. How much do they charge to pack each suitcase? My guess is $500 dollars! Can’t forget the toothpaste!
pathetic
Fantastic service and super cute swag! I’m curious to know if any of the previous commentators have ever thought of, prepped and packed everything for summer camp themselves or if for most families, this is something the invisible magic fairies have done for generations? 😉
THANK YOU JODIE!!!!!!!!!
You’re welcome Bianca! Despite the negative comments here, I would guess most people can see that you offer a creative service that meets a real need. Some of those camp packing lists are several pages long and every single thing has to be labelled or personalized, it’s not a quick or easy thing to pull together. How eye-rollingly typical that when tasks usually done by moms are outsourced, so many people are ready with the shame, but streamlining efficiencies in workplaces is usually celebrated.
I’ve got a TV idea too – ten people who think parenting school and camp age kids in 2024 is easy get assigned a list of daily tasks based on what is involved in raising kids today, and then they apply their own advice to each challenge. The last one to have a meltdown wins a spa day.
every year we packed our children. This srr we vice is best suited for ?
Hi Richard, I’m glad for you that your circumstances meant you had no need for this kind of help. And I’m also glad that Randi and Bianca have come up with a solution for parents whose circumstances mean that it is helpful, for them.
Just because something isn’t helpful to one person doesn’t mean it isn’t very helpful to someone else! I also think some of you might be surprised to know that most of the kids in our town are much more supportive towards each other than quite a few adults tend to be.
In 1988, my wife and I with our 5 year old daughter and 7 year old son went to live in Spain from January to May. We packed our luggage for a 4 plus month stay, and brought the kids bicycles. We traveled 3,800 miles with the bicycles and luggage. We even traveled to Morocco one weekend.
Let them eat cake.
Anyone still wondering why kids are so soft these days?! Start with the parents!!!
can tik tok. video games social media smart phones. butlers pack for you ?
Maybe camping has changed over the years but I’d have thought showing up at camp with all that would have be the equivalent of painting a target and a sign saying “kick me” on your kid’s back.
This is the best, “In April, an overwhelmed first-time camp mom asked if they would pack for her child, headed to Maine.” This is sad, pathetic and scary all rolled into one. I do congratulate these entrepreneurs for identifying a weakness in our social fiber and taking advantage of it!
I agree… and isn’t the point of camp to
experience nature, immerse in the great outdoors
and enjoy the simple things in life- taking a break from
consumption and “stuff” most of which is plastic or
synthetic and going to end up
in a dump for ages to come? Entrepreneurial spirit
is applauding but perhaps a bit misguiding.
Do you mean to tell me that these two women can generate enough income to live in Westport by helping stressed out parents who need help with sending their children off to summer camp? You have to be kidding!
Wondering if these businesswomen pay the companies whose logos they use on their products? The NBA, Chipotle, Gatorade, the NY Knicks, Lululemon, Starbucks, Aviator Nation, etc, are all copyrighted logos and if use without permission is an illegal acrt. I’m hoping no one will say copyright infringement is acceptable for mompreneurs. Curious they can use someone else’s logos for profit?
Wow, this seems like a bit much. I agree with Bill Strittmatter above; good way to target your kid for being spoiled and dependent on their helicopter parents. I’d think kids might learn something by packing their own gear and if they forgot something coping with it or devising an alternative. Seems like there’s a niche for almost any entrepreneur these days so more power to these women for seizing an opportunity.
We love every single item we have from BRGifts- my girls reuse it year after year.
I will definitely have them pack both of my girls next year. I would rather spend my limited free time after commuting to work 5 days a week, with my kids before they leave to have an incredible summer. Kudos to them. A great service for those that want it.
Miriam, Why don’t you pack with your kids? Make it a team effort! You’re still spending time with them. You’re saving money and they’re learning a skill. I would think 99.99 percent of parents would do it this way? It could actually be rewarding and fun!
Great idea. Packing is a beast!
Jack- with all do respect, you don’t know me, you don’t know my kids, of course we pack together. My point was- it is a tedious task to label and pack and bubble wrap all 200+items even with the most patient kids.
It is just not how we want to spend our free time together after working 5 days a week. I would love to do other things together with them and think that Bianca and Randi’s business is great.
Rock on ladies and I look forward to having you in my home next year. 🙂