Wanderland Wonder: A tech exec finds healing in nature & builds a place where people can reconnect with the wild | Jonathan Weston of @wanderlandusa

I’m excited to invite you to my conversation with Jonathan Weston. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur, a father of four, a technology executive, the author of Camping is for Everyone and the founder of Wanderland Campground and the Wanderland Society in Rising Fawn, Georgia.

Jonathan felt called to 72 acres of land near Lookout Mountain in Walker County. It is a magnificent site of hilly and steep terrain with views across the lower Appalachian Mountain range. He has intentionally steward the land as a primitive event space, keeping the ecosystem intact. In an era where camping is being tied more and more to RV pads and electrical hookups, Jonathan is proud to offer a venue for traditional tent camping.

The mission of Wanderland is to conserve natural areas while providing a welcoming space for all campers to enjoy the outdoors. The slogan, "Camping is for everyone, Wanderland is for you," reflects the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature. 

Since 2020, Wanderland has hosted thousands of campers, many of whom were new to camping and left with a newfound appreciation for the outdoors. By creating a safe and welcoming environment, Wanderland hopes to help individuals feel connected to the earth and to each other.

Reconnecting with nature has profoundly impacted Jonathan’s life. He has found wisdom, healing and solace spending time in the forest. Through his work at Wanderland, Jonathan aims to give others an opportunity to do the same and nurture the next generation of ecological stewards. 

This is a story about getting lost in the woods to find yourself, growing slowly with intention, and the transformative power of rites of passage rooted in nature.