Fort Treehouse Co. Bringing Humans & Nature Together
“A hunger for less.
In a world where hunger for more is the norm, we yearned for something less.
It was a simple ‘yes’ that changed everything – a yes to our natural surroundings, a yes to learning through observation, and a deep appreciation for nature itself.”
Meet Lauren and Cam Green, the passionate force behind the creation of FORT TREEHOUSE CO. the business that brings together adventure, nature and conscious treehouse design for the ultimate wilderness retreat.
Both hailing from larger cities Cam and Lauren met working at YMCA Wanakita Summer Camp on Koshlong Lake. In 2010 they bought a 3-acre property with a log cabin and moved out of the city in search of a simpler, slower more nature focused lifestyle.
Over the years their friends from the city would come and visit. Evening bonfires, cooking over the fire, canoeing and wilderness adventure relaxed and invigorated them, they would tell Lauren and Cam ‘this is so special you should bottle this up and sell it’.
Cam had always had a curiosity for treehouses, and this led him to attend a course on sustainable treehouse design and build in 2014. The dream had been sparked. In 2018 the couple began to plot and create a business plan. Along with Cams interest in treehouse life, building a treehouse was a loved idea because it leaves a rather small footprint, allowing the nature around it to remain relatively unchanged.
Lauren says, “Cam is most at home in the forest – it was his passion to build treehouses. Whereas my passion lies more in the design and experiential travel realms. Experiential travel is about creating visceral core memories with lasting impact. That continues to be the primary driver behind what we hope our guests will experience when they stay at one of our treehouses.”
The Baltic treehouse was conceptualized and brought to life with Lauren and Cam looking after most of the build themselves, all while documenting their progress on Instagram. They worked closely with a content marketing team (Bellwetherx) to launch their brand, and as the build unfolds you can watch them give interview style footage on the progress and details of the building experience. It was important to the couple that the brand they were creating reflect their lifestyle ethos, manifesting their business philosophy into fruition.
“FORT really become this kind of practice,
rediscovering what it is about this life that keeps us
here and what we want to share”
Aptly named for its Baltic birch clad walls, The Baltic – a 370 sq ft. treehouse was completed in late 2020. The structure sits 4 meters off the ground in 2 large Maple trees, leaving you feeling like you are floating in the treetops. You are greeted with the dreamy forest canopy when you step outside onto the wrap around deck. This thoughtfully planned out nature escape is powered by solar panels, and was built with a regenerative design to align with the growth of the forest in which it is perched. It was important to Lauren and Cam that the build be sustainable, they built with renewable materials and stock eco friendly products, it’s that forward thinking that completes the experience of enjoying The Baltic; and one that allows their retreat to be sustainable tourism certified.
They had no idea that what they were creating would be so successful, at the time of conceptualization many people were traveling only to locations with features like lakes – not to the middle of a forest. It was the focus of coming into the woods and being in nature that Lauren and Cam wanted to be the motivation behind the experience. “We knew it was special bringing people north – to bring people closer to nature.” Lauren explains “there is a constant bombardment of business and busyness – this has been our way of inviting people to slow down and enter into a natural wilderness where they might not otherwise decide to go.” The Baltic is even outfitted with a wood-fired hot tub where you can unwind in the company of birdsong and earthy woodland scents enveloping your senses.
The couple maintain that it has been incredibly rewarding for them to see the profound impact staying in The Baltic has had on guests.
“The journey simply began with a desire for a different kind of existence, and so we stripped away everyday distractions, allowing nature to be our guide. In doing so, we discovered something profound; something we knew we had to share with others.”
Lauren and Cam are currently in a season of growth. With the success of the Baltic, they have embarked on a new project. They are in the process of building 3 more treehouses on their recently acquired property that abuts a 500-acre nature reserve ensuring the longevity of a peaceful, intimate experience. “We are continuing to focus on the quality of the entire experience and what that looks like as we grow.” Says Lauren. This new boutique style hotel is called Hårtwood.
Take the leap into nature and book your stay in this beautiful architectural art piece. This treetop escapee is beyond just a place to stay, it is an experience for the senses, ultimate relaxation and peace for the soul.
