more amenities at camp Aramoni

u The Burlington is a converted Airstream camper that functions as a coffee and espresso bar on the campgrounds. It is named for the railroad that formerly served the brickyard.

u Gertie’s is a general store located inside The Barn dining hall. It is named after a diner that once stood across from the brickyard.

u Complimentary campfires and gourmet s’mores are provided nightly at each tent.

u Guests can arrange to have picnic lunches – camp staff will prepare and set up the picnic on site.

Aramoni is a luxury experience. Chef Carson Barger cultivates a menu that includes many herbs and vegetables raised on site, plus locally sourced and seasonally foraged ingredients.

“A lot of the stuff that grows here is actually edible,” Barger said. “We’ve harvested goldenrod to make tea.

We’ve harvested nodding onion to make vinegars. We’ve harvested serviceberries, and used clover for garnish. … This is the perfect climate for mushrooms, and we get them throughout all the seasons.”

Guests have the option of dining at The Barn on the campgrounds or at Bricks & Stones on Wednesdays.

“A lot of people do like to come up to Bricks & Stones because there’s live music. There’s more energy,” Bias said.

“Others prefer a more intimate dinner and stay down at the campgrounds.”

The campgrounds are closed to the public; only guests have access to the premises. Bias said that’s a highlight for people who want to connect with nature without the crowds that flock to nearby Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks.

“When you’re here at any given time, there’s not going to be more than 40 people,” Bias said. The privacy provides guests a peaceful opportunity to experience the outdoors. For some visitors, it’s their first time encountering nature up close. Bias recalled a conversation with an elementary school-aged girl who lives in downtown Chicago and was awed by the sight of a star-sequined sky for the first time in her life.

“We want people to come out, experience nature, unplug,” Bias said. Ultimately, that’s the Camp Aramoni mission. It’s a place to relax. To connect with the outdoors. To indulge in a slice of luxury.

Camp Aramoni is a place to breathe.