Episode 97 // Dan Jurek and Jeff Bajek of True North Basecamp

Written By Danna Larson

This week on the podcast we’re talking with Dan Jurek and Jeff Bajek of True North Basecamp in Crosby, Minnesota (pop. 2,386). Dan and Jeff are friends and, more recently, business partners after they saw an opportunity to create a better camping experience for visitors to the Cuyuna Recreation Area. This is an increasingly popular destination for mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts, where local abandoned mine pits have been transformed into a recreational playground.

I think there’s a shift in human behavior that people want to be outdoors, be fit, be athletic. Enjoying the outdoors and making life simpler is becoming more of a movement, and that’s why I think this is going to be a sustainable area in the state.

— Dan Jurek

Dan and Jeff are sharing about the experience they have created at True North Basecamp and how that includes the town and local businesses, the transformation they have seen in the area, plus working with a city on new zoning, and the importance of an area not being tied to one industry. You will love how Dan and Jeff have made the town of Crosby a part of their experience at True North Basecamp and how they see the town’s success as part of their success as well. Plus, they’ve created something that’s a little bit outside the traditional Minnesota Lakes experience, and they’re drawing in even more people because of it.

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If you encourage people to visit Main Street, it really makes a longer-lasting impression on their visit. The more senses they get to experience the better their experience will be, and guests really love that.

— Dan Jurek

I give a ton of credit to the city for being a great partner going into this process and being open minded to what we needed to do.

— Jeff Bajek

Our guests are always the most important for True North Basecamp, always will be our focus and priority. But certainly really close in second running is the town and the benefits the town has been able to get out of this. And knowing that Dan and I had some small hand in this process of redevelopment of the town is pretty cool.

— Jeff Bajek

Danna Larson
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