WTF IS VLC?
At Van Life Campgrounds (VLC for short) we are building the infrastructure for van lifers throughout the US. Van Life Campgrounds are the first of their kind communities created specifically for van lifers and nomads on wheels, making it easy for full-time nomads to get all of the amenities and resources they need while also being able to tap into a community of fellow travelers on the road.
From amenities like hot showers, clean bathrooms, shared kitchens and an address for packages/mail to community events like movie nights, communal dinners & bonfires Van Life Campgrounds are created specifically to meet the needs of the new generation of road folk.
We put ownership first. Our new locations are completely funded and owned by our nomad campers & community members offering ownership and wealth building opportunities back to the community that supports us.
OUR TEAM
Aidan Paringer
After over a decade of nomad’ing in different forms Aidan created VLC simply as a way to solve the problems he faced from life on the road. Easier access to amenities, community and dignity were the main draws.
In what he calls “his past life” Aidan worked with early stage startups but VLC is Aidan’s first attempt at starting something from scratch, he often says this is the first time in his life he feels like he’s doing what he’s meant to be doing in the world (claps for that!). His favorite part about VLC has been watching the connections build between people at (and especially continue outside of) VLC locations and being able to curse as much as he wants now.
Jamie Chappell
Tari was a part-time nomad for years, going on month-long adventures up and down the West Coast. When she stumbled upon Van Camp in April of 2022, the people she met and the magic of camp inspired her to transform this lifestyle into a full-time thing.
The final spark of motivation came when VLC invited her back to Joshua Tree to Camphost fall of 2022. She then finalized her DIY van-build, tied up loose ends in Washington, set-off into the desert and hasn't looked back since. From then on, she's been a dynamic collaborator with VLC. From building community, to systemizing our Camphost program, to being an all-around camp goofball, Tari is now our camphost manager and is an awesome addition to the team.
Tari Griebel
Jamie showed up in Joshua Tree with nothing but a Honda Fit. Having become obsessed with the Van Life culture and lifestyle (and taking downsizing to a whole other level), Jamie has been semi-nomadic for the past 2 years.
Knowing how difficult it can be to find community on the road Jamie has been traveling up and down the west coast searching out spaces for future Van Life Campgrounds. Exploring some of the most beautiful places, meeting the best people, and helping more people find home on the road. Now, Jamie is our Marketing Manager, helping us spread the word!
Lauren Nicholl
Lauren has experienced the ins and outs of multiple vanlife/nomad community projects and came to VLC when a previous one ended. She’s now a landowner and VLC land partner who is helping build up our community of land partners throughout North America!
Caleb Harris
Caleb is a born Alaskan, entrepreneur and lifelong nomad. From spending years abroad to backpacking to living in vans he embodies everything that VLC is about. Caleb is a content fanatic running a tiktok for his adventure cat Kodiak and his card game Cambio Unlimited. Caleb has come on board with VLC to get our content in order and help us build up a rad team of content creators!