Thousands Of Families Nationwide, Summer Camps, Struggling After Major Camp Trunk Delivery Service Closes — Taking Money, Leaving Bags Stranded.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The apparent shutdown of delivery service “Camp Trucking,” a service used to deliver trunks to and from overnight camps nationwide, has led to a local Palm Beach County company offering help to the thousands of parents now facing an end-of-summer crisis.
Camp Trucking was utilized by parents and overnight camps from Florida to California as a way to send large duffel bags and traditional camp trunks to overnight camps all across the United States. The company apparently went out of business earlier this week, just as the traditional overnight camp season is coming to an end. That means prepaid delivery of a camper’s personal belongings — something that’s supposed to be seamless — is unlikely to happen. It’s causing a headache for parents and camp directors.
Competing company “Ship Camps,” which utilizes FedEx Ground, UPS, and DHL says it’s ready to help. Based in West Palm Beach, the “Camp Trucking” alternative became popular over the past several years as “Camp Trucking” experienced delays and poor customer service.
“We’ve received lots of frantic calls,” said Chief Marketing Officer Ali Frost in an exclusive interview with BOCANEWSNOW.com. “We’re receiving calls from camp directors, camp owners, and parents.”
Frost said the Ship Camps team was immediately increased to handle an influx of new requests and to reach out to camps that may be facing a very challenging final few days of the summer season.
“The team is reaching out to every camp that we have contact with. We work with CampMinder and the American Camping Association. We are helping as much as we can.”
While Camp Trucking utilized contractors to rent trucks, pickup bags, and delivery them to camps nationwide, Ship Camps utilizes major delivery services — including FedEx. The Ship Camps approach means all bags are tracked and always in the custody of a major delivery company.
Another company offering to help: Five College Movers. Owner Pat MacWilliams told BOCANEWSNOW.com in an email that his company is offering help as well.
Several parents reaching out to BOCANEWSNOW.com report that Camp Trucking took their money and have not responded to requests for refunds. Multiple calls, texts, and emails from BOCANEWSNOW.com to Camp Trucking have not been returned.
