PHOTO PROVIDED Kayakers enjoy a day on the river.

Greater Williamsport is truly the eastern gateway to the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Within a short driving distance are lakes, ponds, streams, creeks, rivers – including some waterways navigable by boat, canoe and kayak.

There are quiet natural settings, hiking and biking trails, state parks for picnics and camping, ATV riding locations and vistas to see miles of distant rolling mountainsides.

That’s part of the reason why Katie Caputo, who grew up as one of those adventure seekers, said she created ROAMbler, a marketplace platform for peer-to-peer services designed to connect adventure seekers with local guides in Pennsylvania.

Asked to describe more about ROAMbler and what it can do for those seeking adventure and immersing themselves in natural surroundings, Caputo felt at ease explaining her purpose for creating the platform.

“Say goodbye to barriers like lack of skills or equipment- with ROAMbler, adventure is accessible to all, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature with the expertise of a guide,” Caputo, ROAMbler owner and president, told the Sun-Gazette for this Chamber Connection story.

Asked what first gave her the idea to begin ROAMbler, she said she was inspired to start this business after realizing how many people had limited or no access to these kinds of experiences.

“I grew up on our waterways – fishing, swimming, and boating were as common to me as breathing and I sought to find a solution to the gaps in access for others,” she said.

Knowing that people, mentors/guides were the key to making this work, Caputo said she learned that “due to high overhead and seasonality of operations, brick and mortar outfitters and services were few and far between.”

Instead, ROAMbler’s peer-to-peer business model, driven by technology and local independent guides, was the solution that Caputo said she landed on to attempt to fill these gaps in access – while also solving the problem of high rent versus seasonality for the outdoor recreation services workforce.

She is most proud of winning the Ben Franklin Technology Partners & PA Wilds ‘Big Idea Contest’ and offered a few remarks on what the impact of the award has had on the business.

“Winning the ‘Big Idea Contest’ has had a major impact on our growth,” she said. ROAMbler was a self-funded, bootstrapped business from the start – growing grassroots and through word of mouth. So winning $27,500 to invest in the business has allowed the business to upgrade its website, begin building a mobile application, and pay for much needed advertising, she noted.

How does Caputo see the business evolving over the next few years and what are some short-term and long-term goals for the business?

“Our new website went live in February of 2025 with the mobile application coming sometime this fall,” she said.

“Long-term plans are to add additional features that will support peer-to-peer outdoor equipment rentals, launching a web-based apparel store with products made from sustainably sourced materials, and expanding to offer guided experiences in every County in Pennsylvania.”

What impact do you hope your business will have on the industry?

“The outdoor recreation iIndustry has had a recent boost in interest as an economic driver in Pennsylvania,” she said. A new state Office of Outdoor Recreation was launched last spring with the promise of supporting businesses in the industry.

“I hope ROAMbler will be a catalyst for industry growth highlighting the importance of guides in relation to tourism, economic impact, health and wellbeing,”Caputo said.

What impact do you hope your business will have on the local community?

“I hope ROAMbler will have a positive impact in many ways,” she said, adding, ” I believe that a new experience can change a person’s perception of the places they call home and the places they visit.”

“Despite having plenty of built infrastructure, trail heads, boat launches, and public lands- many people still lack access to outdoor recreation activities.

“True access for many comes from people who have the knowledge, skills, equipment, and the willingness to guide the way.

” If we’re able to get more locals on the Susquehanna River and into our forests, I think we can help people to fall in love with their communities and natural resources.”

For those with skills to share there is money to earn in an industry that isn’t oversaturated, and ROAMbler offers a web-based platform with tools that allow users to manage bookings, calendars, payouts, invoicing, cancellations, communication with guests, and much more.

Artificial intelligence is poised to disrupt and forever change the future of work. How does your business plan to persevere in these rapidly changing times?

“When you build a business you build it for the future. As an entrepreneur I am always thinking about how ROAMbler might fit into the world 10 years from now,” Caputo remarked.

“ROAMbler uses technology as a tool to make real connections between people and the natural world.

“No artificial intelligence, screen, or virtual reality headset will ever be able to replace human connection, the smell of a forest, or the feeling of the wind on your face paddling the Susquehanna River.

Guides play a key role in helping people access these experiences and as one of the oldest professions, I see a future where guides thrive in this increasingly digital and disconnected world.”

What activities can be found on the Roambler platform?

Adventure seekers can currently find guided hiking, photography, backpacking, kayaking, boating, biking, falconry, foraging, bushcraft, and survival skills experiences. There are several categories that remain unfilled by guides and we hope to soon offer environmental education, fishing, shed hunting, birding, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and many more outdoor activities.

For people with skills to share please consider becoming an independent guide, she implored.

How can Sun-Gazette and Chamber of Commerce Connection readers learn more about your business?

Learn more by visiting www.roambler.com or www.roambler.com/whyhost