Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Hatcher.
Hi Kathryn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all really started one very late night in January earlier this year, after three years of juggling camp sign-ups for my own kids. I was so overwhelmed by this process of finding and planning for summer camps. I had color-coded spreadsheets for each year, a million different mom group chats, and a mental checklist that seemed to grow by the minute. I was trying to remember registration deadlines, plan for camps in January, when I didn’t even know our summer plans and I wondered, “why doesn’t this exist yet”? After chatting with other parents, I realized I wasn’t alone. So many parents were in the same boat, stressed trying to track registration deadlines, compare programs, and make sure their kids’ summer and school breaks were filled with meaningful activities.
That’s when I realized there had to be a better way. And that’s how Camply was born. I started with a camp concierge service, consulting with families to build their own summer camp plans and recommending camps based on cost, location, hours, and interests. But as I worked with more families, I realized the need was bigger than what one person could handle (and with everyone signing up at the same time, it was challenging to support multiple families at once). That’s when Camply evolved into the platform it is today. Camply is a tool that not only simplifies camp planning and reduces stress for parents, but also helps families connect with one another, building community around shared experiences and making it easier for kids to attend camps with friends and neighbors.
We launched our site at the end of summer, and today, Camply partners with a variety of camps, attracts over 1,000 new families to our site each month, and growing! We had a successful Fall Break season, where we featured over 80 camps around Atlanta. Our Winter Breaks page just launched and already has over 50 camps for families to discover camps for all those school break days from November through February, Election Day to President’s Day. We have more planning tools for parents (think registration alerts!) that will be coming soon (before the summer rush!). We’re proud to help families discover the right programs, plan their schedules with ease, and give kids memorable, enriching experiences all year long.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any founder would say it’s been a smooth ride. One of the biggest challenges has been scaling this idea, which started as a one-on-one concierge for families, into a full platform. I quickly realized that while I could help a handful of parents at a time, there was a much larger need that one person simply couldn’t meet, so we are building the platform as quickly as we can. We’ve received a lot of great feedback from our camp partners so far on parents being able to find their camps.
Reaching parents has also been a challenge. We are working to build awareness through guerrilla marketing, social media, and connecting with families one conversation at a time, and figuring out the best ways to get the word out about Camply.
On top of that, there are the technical aspects of building a platform: compiling camp information, keeping everything up-to-date, and creating tools that are both intuitive and useful. All of this has been happening while managing my home life as a wife and mom of two with busy schedules and activities, and I know we all have these responsibilities.
That’s part of why I’m so passionate about helping other parents lighten their load, because I get it. I know there are improvements to be made, and we will continue making them, but I keep thinking that something better than what parents currently have is possible. It just takes time to build all the features families have told me they want.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Camply is a platform designed to make camp planning easier, more organized, and more enjoyable for families. We help parents discover summer and school break camps in Atlanta, while building community with their neighbors.
What sets Camply apart is our focus not just on convenience, but on community. We connect families with one another, helping kids attend camps with friends and neighbors, and fostering relationships beyond the screen. We also partner with local camps to amplify their programs and connect with their Atlanta community.
We are proud to provide a service that genuinely lightens the load for parents while creating opportunities for kids to grow, explore, and have fun. Beyond planning, one of our goals is to give back to the community by donating proceeds to help kids from lower-income families attend camps. We recognize how expensive camps can be and how fortunate many of us are to have access to these experiences. At its core, Camply is about making camp accessible, enjoyable, and community-focused for all families.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am incredibly grateful for my support system that has made Camply possible. My husband deserves a huge amount of credit. He is not only my sounding board for ideas but also helps me balance the practical and emotional aspects of running a business while raising two kids.
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I have been inspired by their drive and creativity, which has encouraged me to take risks and think big. My dad started his own hotel business, Charming Inns in Charleston, SC, where I grew up seeing him work and even worked myself as a housekeeper and server. My mom transitioned her family retail business into apartment homes. My sister and brothers-in-law have started their own businesses as well. I am surrounded by many who have come before me, provide advice, sit on my advisory board, and encourage me to keep going.
Beyond family, mentors, friends, and early clients have played critical roles in shaping Camply. From giving honest feedback to cheering me on through late nights and technical challenges, they have helped me refine the platform and stay motivated. I have learned that building a business is not something you do alone. It is a community effort, and I am grateful for every person who has shared insight, encouragement, or even just a listening ear along the way. I also want to thank every parent who has expressed their struggles. Whether we’ve had a coffee chat, you’ve filled out my survey, or followed our socials, I am here because of you. Thank you.
Pricing:
- Camps can pay to be featured on Camply, giving them additional visibility to families actively looking for programs.
- Parents can access Camply through a subscription offering that provides curated camp lists, updates, and reminders.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joincamply.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joincamply/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Camply/61578118385702/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/107727077
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynwhatcher/
Image Credits
The image of the kid/campers is from Anyone Can Camps, Caleb Albert
