The Story of Blue Line Overland-Mason Berry

The Story of Blue Line Overland

Blue Line Overland started as a warning to other campers, honestly. At Natural State Overland bonfire, we were camping with a group, and it turned out that most were cops and first responders. So, we struck an immediate bond. Oneway law enforcement, fire, EMS and other first responders who cope with traumatic situations started to tell stories about the past calls they have been on. Naturally, this started around the camp and quickly turned into who could tell the most disturbing story. This was great for the first responders around the fire. However, the non-service members quickly found themselves in a real-life version of a Stephen King novel. After a long therapy session, we all retired to our own tents to think about what amazing stories we would tell the next night.

The next day started with an amazing breakfast and a day full of trails. Once the sun broke and the coffee was brewing, one couple from the late-night therapy session was no longer there and had left during the night. Come to find out later from a mutual friend that we had run them off with our stories and outspoken demeanors. This was comical to most, but then we came to realize this was troublesome.

We needed a way to warn people what they were walking into. While I respect the approach our very large and scary member Lehman had of “Look guys, if you’re going to camp near us, I have to warn you. We’re pretty not right in the head!” That was warning enough to make many run for the hills. A small amount remained.

I had been thinking on this for a while, before this incident, that it would be neat to have a law enforcement overland group since the creation of Natural State Overland and All Over Overland. There wasn’t a law enforcement overland group and I had been throwing around names for months. But didn’t think anyone would be interested in the idea.

That evening someone threw out the idea of starting an overland group and so Blue Line Overland was born. Shortly after, we had a logo designed, our first T-shirt design, then patches and stickers made. We all knew we didn’t want this to be “just another overland group,” so Mike “Rubicon Mike” Bromberg threw out the idea that we give back through a program called Shop with a Cop. For those unaware of the program, it takes underprivileged children shopping for Christmas. These children are picked by school administration and they receive, in most instances $115 to $150, depending on funding. The child gets to go on a tax-free shopping spree with a uniformed officer.

We quickly registered the domain, registered as a nonprofit with the secretary of state and started fundraising. At this time, it was very late in the year to be fundraising. I believe it was in October, and most Shop with a Cop money must be turned in by the end of November. I frantically started emailing companies, pouring my heart out and asking for anything free to raffle off. The first person on board was Bobby Culpepper with Cascadia Vehicle Tents. He said he would love to help and that he would donate an awning for raffle. We modeled the raffles from many others we saw on Facebook and the awing raffle sold out in no time. I messaged Bobby to let him know the good news and he said, “Heck, let’s do another!” I was absolutely blown away! After that, more companies like L.T. Wright Knives, Power Tank, My Medic, Gaia GPS and Tembo-Tusk all jumped on board and we raised over $1,000 in just over a month.

Here we are now, almost four years later, with members from Cornwall, England to the remote mountains of Tennessee, and from the great white north of Canada to the sunny beaches of South Africa. We have grown to nearly 3,000 members. We have been able to sponsor Shop with a Cop programs in over six different states, giving over 150 children a Christmas, helping many families through tough financial times and donating to many other charitable causes.

If you are at an event and see a Blue Line Overland member or our logo, please know that we are always there to help. If you happen to see police tape roping off a section for camping just know you are ALWAYS welcome! That isn’t to keep you out. It’s just a warning that we are not responsible for the cost of your therapist once you cross that tape!

Here’s a hat tip to those original members who have been on the ride since day one Mason (Trixie), Daniel (Helen Keller), Jay (Sarge), Mike (Rubicon Mike), Andrew (Yankee), Chris (Snow Mexican), Milton (Dad), John Paul (FNG), Miller (Half Send), and last but not least....... Lehman

Mason Berry

@Blue Line Overland

Blue Line Overland