I Came to Camp Lola Whiskey for the Content…I Left With a Shopping List
Guest blog post written by Liz Kaldor
Our swag bag haul from Camp Lola Whiskey
I was hired to be the content creator for Camp Lola Whiskey, which meant I showed up ready to work, create a ton of content, meet some amazing people and hopefully have a pretty fun weekend. What I did not expect was to leave camp with some of my favorite new memories, new friends, a camera roll that could probably fill my phone storage, and an ever-growing list of products I immediately needed to buy. When we arrived, all 45 campers were greeted with a gift bag, and let me tell you, this was not your basic boring gift bag. There was no random pen that would disappear into a junk drawer or stress ball I'd politely accept and never use again. This bag was STACKED with products from some seriously cool brands, and several of them have officially earned a permanent spot in my life.
In case you're new here: Camp Lola Whiskey is an adult summer camp run by Laura Ericson and Type 2 Travel, and this year it was 45 of us at Timber Kove in Hayward, Wisconsin. (If you want the full weekend, Mel covered it all in her Camp Lola Whiskey 2026 recap, and if you want to hear what camp is like from the campers themselves, there's a podcast episode for that.) This post is just the gift bag: nine of my favorite brands from it, what I actually thought of each one, and where you can buy them.
Mayana Chocolate
The most incredible candy bar I have ever tasted
Let's start with Mayana Chocolate because WOW. I have never moved so quickly from "Oh, that's nice" to immediately needing to know where I could get more. I got one bite into my chocolate bar before my three-year-old spotted it and decided it was hers, so unfortunately I didn't even get to fully experience my own gift. But the one bite I did get? Incredible. I genuinely can't put it into words, which means I'll have to order more for research purposes.
FreshCap Mushroom Coffee
Drinking a morning cup of mushroom coffee at camp
FreshCap Mushroom Coffee didn't even make it home unopened because I needed to try it while I was at camp. I had never tried mushroom coffee before, and as someone who is very picky about coffee, I was prepared to be skeptical. But this was quick, easy and actually delicious. I can absolutely see this becoming a travel staple for me, especially for those mornings when I want good coffee without packing half my kitchen.
Key Nutrients Electrolytes
Hydrating with Key Nutrients at camp
I'll admit, I was skeptical when I first pulled the Key Nutrients electrolyte packets out of my bag. I've tried plenty of electrolyte powders and have yet to find one I actually love, especially in those little packets. These changed my mind. They dissolve quickly, aren't overly salty and, most importantly, they actually taste good. As someone who loves an intense hot yoga class and would also like to stop buying plastic water bottles every time I need electrolytes, these are officially a new staple in my house, gym bag and probably every suitcase I own.
Still Branch Brandy Old Fashioned Mix
Still Branch old fashioned cocktail mixers are the best travel companion
Now this was something I had never seen before, and as a Wisconsin girl, I was immediately intrigued. Still Branch makes packets that help you create a brandy old fashioned with just one thing left to add: brandy. Brandy old fashioneds can be a little bit of a labor of love when you're gathering all the ingredients, so having a simple mix on hand makes it much easier to whip up the classic Wisconsin drink. (Laura has the rest of the camp drink lineup in the drinks we poured at Camp Lola Whiskey, if you want to keep going.) And naturally, I now need to pair it with...
The Midwest Girl Friday Old Fashioned Glass
Making an evening old fashioned with Midwest Girl
The Midwest Girl Friday Old Fashioned Glass was just too cute, and I immediately knew exactly what it was going to be used for. See above: Still Branch brandy old fashioned mix. Honestly, it's a pretty perfect combination. Cute cup, Wisconsin cocktail and a reason to pretend I'm having a very sophisticated happy hour when I'm actually sitting on my couch.
Trovea + CO Keychains
Loving our handmade keychains from Trovea + Co
The Trovea keychains were another little gift that I absolutely loved. They're handmade right in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and sooo cute, which makes them feel so much more personal than the typical branded giveaway item. Mine went straight onto my keys, and I love having a little reminder of camp with me long after the weekend was over.
Visit Eau Claire T-Shirt
Sporting our Visit Eau Claire t-shirt on our pontoon bar crawl at Camp
As an Eau Claire native, getting a Visit Eau Claire t-shirt was an easy win for me. I will almost always choose something that lets me represent my hometown, especially when it's something I would actually wear. This one definitely earned a spot in my rotation, and I love that it was included in a camp that brought people together from all over while still celebrating the place we call home.
Plan a trip with Visit Eau Claire →
North Mallow S'mores Kits
Making homemade s'mores from North Mallow was definitely a core memory for me
North Mallow's s'mores kits were basically camp in a bag, which felt pretty perfect for Camp Lola Whiskey. Everything you need for a s'mores moment was right there, and let's be honest, there are very few things that make you feel like a kid again faster than roasting a marshmallow and trying not to completely set it on fire. These were such a fun addition to the gift bags and fit the whole camp experience perfectly.
Puracy Stain Remover
Taking my Puracy stain remover with me on every trip going forward
Puracy Stain Remover was one of those gifts that made me think: Whoever put this bag together understands me. Between camp, kids, coffee, food and basically existing, stains happen. Having a stain remover on hand is one of those things you don't necessarily think you need until you desperately need it. And as the mom of a three-year-old, I can tell you that I am always interested in products that might save a perfectly good outfit from whatever mystery substance my child has managed to get on it.
The Best Kind of Gift Bag
I went to Camp Lola Whiskey to do a job, but I left with so much more than content. I left with amazing memories, new friendships, plenty of stories to tell and a whole list of brands I discovered and loved. All 45 campers received these goodies, and I think that's what made the gift bag so special. These weren't products that went home and immediately disappeared into a junk drawer. They were things I actually wanted to use, things I was excited to tell other people about, and in a few cases, things I was already figuring out how to buy more of.
And if you want a gift bag of your own (plus the weekend that comes with it), Camp Lola Whiskey 2027 is August 26–29, back at Timber Kove.
Gift Bag Questions People Keep Asking Me
Does every camper get the gift bag, or do you have to win it?
Every camper gets one. The welcome gift bag and a camp t-shirt are included in the price of camp, and nobody has to enter a raffle or win a game for it.
How much does Camp Lola Whiskey cost?
Camp Lola Whiskey 2027 starts at $1,300 per person. That covers three nights at Timber Kove, most of your meals, drinks during activities, and the pontoon ride. You hold your spot with a $200 deposit, and all payments are non-refundable. It's capped at 50 campers, and you have to be 21+. The rest is on the Camp 2027 page.
I run a brand. How do I get into next year's gift bag?
Camp Lola Whiskey partners with brands every year, especially Wisconsin and Midwest ones, for the gift bag, prizes and activities. If you want in for 2027, you can reach Laura at info@type2travel.com.