This almost too good to be true: A summer camp-themed eatery and pickleball location is coming to Denver in 2024! And it’s called Camp Pickle. I mean, who doesn’t love pickles, right?
According to a spokesperson, pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years. I mean, we already knew that, didn’t we? But did you know that during the pandemic, over a million Americans started playing pickleball, bringing the total to around five million players and growing rapidly? It’s like we’re taking over the world, one pickleball court at a time.
Camp Pickle is the brainchild of Robert Thompson, the founder of Denver’s Punch Bowl Social. It’s inspired by “nostalgic Americana” and will have a rustic summer camp vibe. I can already smell the campfires and s’mores! The website describes it as “…a celebration of national parks and camp culture of the 1940s. Camp Pickle is where the playful come to eat, the hungry to compete, and everyone—young and old, dinkers and bangers, meet.”
Now, here’s the exciting part. Camp Pickle will offer classic American recreational activities for both the competitive and casual set of all ages. We’re talking horseshoes, darts, bowling, deck shuffle, and more. And of course, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. It’s like a playground for adults, except with food and booze.
And if you’re worried about not being able to get a court, don’t fret. Open play will be available, but reservations will be strongly suggested once everything is a go on the technology side. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this epic pickleball experience.
The exact location of the Camp hasn’t been announced yet. But, sources tell us it will be somewhere in the Denver Tech Center.
But wait, there’s more! Thompson is a family man himself, with three young boys. So, Camp Pickle is not just for adults, it’s for the whole family. You can bring your kids and let them join in on the fun. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to show off their pickleball skills to their kids?
And let’s not forget about the food and drinks. Thompson is all about creating an environment filled with food, beverage and a heap of fun. “We will also have eight duckpin bowling lanes, three private karaoke rooms and 10 dart lanes, there’s more to play than just pickleball,” said Thompson. And the best part? They’re incorporating hospitality into their pickleball experience. That means sophisticated culinary and beverage options. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
So, mark your calendars and get hyped! Camp Pickle is coming to the DTC area in 2024, and I can’t wait to see you all there. And if you see me on the court, don’t be shy to say hello. I’ll be the one with the Joola paddle and the disgusting topspin hits and dinks. See you on the court, pickleball fam!
I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.
As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!
My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.
- Paddle Review: The Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta - September 15, 2023
- Keep Your Achilles Tendons Dancing on the Pickleball Court! - August 31, 2023
- Maui Strong Pro-Am Event: A Pickleball Fundraiser You Don’t Want to Miss! - August 23, 2023
