Happy Trails with Lesa McDermott and ‘Girl Camper’ – PCI 440

When Lesa McDermott talks about camping, her enthusiasm lights up like a crackling campfire. A Nebraska native with a background as rich as the landscapes she explores — former golf pro, EMT, dive master, lawyer, and now the vice president of Girl Camper — Lesa embodies the spirit of adventure and empowerment that defines the Girl Camper community. “I kind of inherited the podcast,” explains our May Podcaster of the Month. Lesa recently spoke with Mike Dell, Blubrry VP of customer relations, about her path to podcasting. “It was more of a default.” This wasn’t a random handoff, she explained. It was the natural next step, initiated as a devoted listener who evolved into becoming the voice behind one of the most inspiring outdoor lifestyle brands for women in America. From Listener to Leader Lesa McDermott Lesa’s introduction to the Girl Camper podcast came as a fan. Founded by Janine Pettit, the show began a decade ago when few outdoor-centric podcasts — especially those geared toward women — existed. “It became really popular really quickly,” Lesa recalls. “I loved listening to it and learning all kinds of things about camping.” When Janine later expanded the brand to include local guides and hostesses who would lead camping trips and events across the country, Lesa jumped at the chance to get involved. “I became the South Dakota guide,” she says, “and hosted some trips and events.” Reigniting the Podcast and Expanding the Vision The Girl Camper podcast briefly went on hiatus in 2020 when the organization launched its quarterly magazine, but Lesa was among the first to rally for its return. “I missed that weekly episode,” she admits. When the timing felt right a year ago, Janine asked her to cohost the podcast, now in video format as well. The dual-format show is helping Girl Camper reach a broader audience. The transition hasn’t been without its challenges, especially when it comes to production. “I had no podcasting experience,” Lesa says. “I had to jump in with both feet.” From learning editing software to managing technical hiccups, she’s taken on the production responsibilities, ensuring the show retains the authentic Girl Camper voice. Despite the learning curve, Lesa is thriving. She even credits tools like AI for streamlining her workflow. “I’m using ChatGPT quite a bit… it helps me narrow down topics and write scripts,” she said. A New Kind of Camper For Lesa, camping isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. She proudly boasts an arsenal of outdoor gear: “I have a small teardrop. I have a van. I have a fifth wheel. But I also have multiple tents. I love to hammock camp.” She emphasizes that Girl Camper is about inclusion and flexibility. “We like to say at Girl Camper, there’s no wrong way to camp like a girl, and we absolutely mean that.” Whether it’s river rafting trips through the Grand Canyon or backpacking 125 miles through the Black Hills with a group of women ranging in age from their 40s to their 70s, Lesa is constantly organizing and leading new experiences. This summer, she’s particularly excited about a 10-day backpacking trip in South Dakota. “We are all carrying all of our supplies — our tents, food, and water. It’s going to be epic.” Evolving Media and Community Impact In addition to the podcast, Lesa and the Girl Camper team’s digital magazine is filled with how-tos, gear reviews, and real-life stories. Originally a print publication, the magazine has fully transitioned to digital — a move Lesa sees as an opportunity. “Now we can really focus on offering interactive content,” she says, such as embedded videos within ads or tutorials. For example, “There’s going to be a video in our upcoming summer issue on how to make a Japanese shaved ice dessert called kakigōri. It’s something we couldn’t do on paper.” Lesa also values the strong online communities that support new podcasters and content creators. She credits the Facebook group RV Content Creators as a key resource when she was starting out, saying it offered “a wealth of information” on everything from microphones to editing tools. Camping, Content, and Confidence From backyard tents in Nebraska to the vice president’s desk at Girl Camper, Lesa McDermott’s story is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. She’s helping women of all ages discover the joy of camping, the power of community, and the confidence to blaze their own trails. “I love being outdoors,” she says. “And I love helping other women feel like they can do it too — on their own terms.” And with leaders like Lesa guiding the way, it’s clear: There really is no wrong way to camp like a girl.