Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Le Clair.
Hi Christine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story is built on over 50 years of combined experience in camping and recreational management. What started as a shared professional journey has evolved into a passion project: Vintage View Adventures, a business designed to redefine outdoor hospitality by blending luxury with the natural beauty of the Pacolet River.
Here is a look at the path that brought us here:
The Professional Foundation
Both of us have dedicated our careers to the “business of play” and the safety of outdoor spaces.
Brandie Le Clair: With a degree in Recreation Management and a career spanning nearly 20 years, Brandie has served as a Summer Camp Director for the YMCA and Girl Scouts. She eventually transitioned into the technical side of the industry, working as an Accreditation Manager for the American Camp Association and a Risk Control Specialist with a large national insurance carrier specializing in supporting camp and recreation programs and operations. Currently, she manages a national risk-management Accreditation program, focused on abuse prevention ensuring that our business is built on a foundation of safety and excellence.
Christine Le Clair: Christine’s career began in specialized camps for children and adults with medical and emotional needs. She then spent over two decades with the Girl Scouts, managing multi-million dollar budgets, large-scale construction projects, and seasonal teams of over 100 staff. Since 2000, she has been a volunteer leader within the American Camp Association, serving as an instructor and regional board member.
Today, our vision has come to life through Vintage View Adventures, where we offer premier river tubing, kayaking, and our signature riverside lounge rentals. What truly sets us apart from other outfitters is our hands-on, concierge-style approach to the water. We believe you deserve more than just having a life vest thrown at you and being pointed toward the river. Leveraging our deep roots in risk management and professional camp operations, we provide top-notch service that prioritizes your safety and individual needs above all else. From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice the “little extras”, those thoughtful, premium details you won’t find anywhere else. We transform a simple afternoon on the Pacolet River into a truly polished and unforgettable outdoor experience where one can disconnect and enjoy a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and responsibilities.
Christine is dedicated full-time to moving Vintage View Adventures forward, overseeing the daily magic on the river.
Brandie continues her work in risk management, providing the necessary stability and vital industry connections to ensure our business remains sustainable and secure as we grow.
Our goal is simple: to use our lifetime of experience to provide you with an unparalleled outdoor experience that is as safe and professional as it is beautiful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly hasn’t been all smooth sailing (or paddling), but every challenge has only deepened our commitment to the Pacolet River. Our journey began in 2022 when we fell in love with a 16-acre property and decided to go “all in”. We sold our home in Charlotte, NC, and moving to the Spartanburg area to make our dream a reality.
While we’ve had our fair share of hurdles, they’ve shaped Vintage View Adventures into the resilient, community-focused business it is today.
The Pivot from “Glamping” to “Adventures”
Our original vision was an ambitious $3 million “Glamping” Resort. However, as the economy shifted, we realized that taking on a massive loan wasn’t the right move for us, or for the long-term health of the business.
Instead of letting that stop us, we pivoted. We shifted our energy from building structures to building experiences:
In 2023 and 2024 we started small, offering 4-mile and 8-mile kayaking trips on weekends. Last year, we introduced Lazy River and Adventure Tubing along with the kayaking trips and ran 7 days a week all summer. This Summer we’re adding our Riverside Lounges to the mix which definitely has some “glamping” aspects to it.
Like many in the area we also had to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene which was perhaps our greatest challenge. The storm stopped our business in its tracks, resulting in months of lost revenue. Despite the scale of the damage to our 16 acres, we didn’t receive state or federal recovery funds. We are still in the process of slowly cleaning up and restoring the property, one day at a time, with our own hands and hearts.
The dream of the full Outdoor Resort on the shores of the Pacolet is still alive—it’s just on the horizon for now. Right now, our focus is on growth and connection. We’re tired of being what we believe is one of the best-kept secrets in Spartanburg County! We are pouring everything into making sure every guest who visits feels the magic of this river, even as we continue to rebuild.
We’ve learned that sometimes the best way to handle a rough current is to keep paddling, stay flexible, and never lose sight of the beauty around you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a 100% women-owned business deeply committed to being an active and uplifting part of the Spartanburg County community. Our mission is built on supporting fellow local small businesses and non-profits, and we are proud to have partnered with organizations like the Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) and Play Act Live Well (PAL). One of the highlights of our year is collaborating with Spartanburg County and the Town of Pacolet to host the annual Paddle the Pacolet festival every spring, which is taking place this year on May 16th. We are also honored to be a part of the Power Up Spartanburg small business program, which has been instrumental in our growth as we specialize in river tubing, kayaking, and our signature riverside lounge rentals.
What truly sets us apart is our unique guest-first philosophy where we prioritize the individual experience above everything else. We aren’t just an equipment rental service; we are a hospitality-driven adventure team. Brand-wise, we are most proud of our commitment to constant evolution, taking the lessons we learn each season to make our offerings and experiences better every single year. We want our guests to know that we are passionate about the water and even more passionate about our home. We absolutely love being a part of the East Spartanburg community and are dedicated to providing high-quality, safe, and innovative outdoor services that showcase the natural beauty of our corner of South Carolina.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, both Brandie and Christine were defined by a deep love for the outdoors and a shared commitment to leadership and achievement. Brandie was raised in Asheville, North Carolina, where she spent every summer at Camp Pisgah in Brevard. Along with her outdoor adventures, she was a dedicated member of the North Buncombe High School band and reached the pinnacle of Girl Scouting by earning her Gold Award. Christine’s childhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was equally vibrant and active. She was heavily involved in theater and debate while spending her summers immersed in various day and resident camps. Like Brandie, Christine’s drive and dedication led her to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in the organization. These early interests in nature, community, and excellence laid the groundwork for the passion and professionalism they bring to their work today.
Pricing:
- Kayaking ranges from $15-$70 depending on what activity you choose
- River Tubing ranges from $20-$45 depending on what activity you choose
- Riverside Lounges range from $65-$125 and have optional add-ons for a additional cost
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vintageviewadventures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintageviewvacay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vintageviewvacay
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vintageviewvacay
