Introducing to the Chicago North Shore Moms community Lauren Rudowsky, a Wilmette mom and founder of Campfire Sauna and Social, a local lakeside retreat for your mind, body, and soul.
As transplants to the Midwest, now with four young kids (twin mom here), Lauren and her husband set out to construct a tranquil local spot, solving two pain points: making sauna experiences accessible while creating a community rooted in warmth and acceptance. Get to know more about how Campfire Sauna and Social transpired from being an idea into a small business and the adorable family behind the heart of it all. Then don’t hesitate to book your first 50-minute session here! Welcome, Lauren!
Hi Lauren! Give us a quick snapshot of you and your life right now.
Hi, I’m Lauren Rudowsky. We live in Wilmette with our 4 kids; ages 8, 6, and twin 4 year olds, plus our rescue dog Hazel. Our home is loud and messy and no one can ever find a matching pair of socks. I am mothering as best as I can in a time where current events are a daily but necessary distraction. My husband, Brett, and I started Campfire Sauna and Social this past September and we’re still learning how to manage full-time jobs, parenting, and building a small business.
You’re sure in the thick of it! How do you manage?
I have a daughter in 3rd grade, son in 1st grade, and boy/girl twins in pre-school. When I found out I was pregnant with twins and would soon have 4 children under the age of 4 years old, my midwife wisely told me to “lower the bar.” I took her advice.
My kids are all prolific artists and creators- lots of coloring and gluing and stickers happening at all times. The boys (ages 6 and 4) are often playing shinny hockey or taking turns diving on the couch to catch the football. It can be total chaos but when things get crazy, we “DEAR”- Drop Everything And Read. All 4 will sit on the couch and get lost in a pile of library books. I’m proud of instilling a love of reading in them.
Mad props about instilling a love of reading! What’s something about you that might surprise people outside of your work and mom life?
I am a total band nerd. I love brass ensembles, marching bands, orchestras, rappers, emo bands, oldies, newbies, and everything in between. I played several instruments in my younger days (not well!) and I’d really like to learn how to play guitar as an adult.
Where are your go-to spots right now?
My kids and I love to explore new playgrounds but when the weather is crummy (or freezing!), we love the Glenview Library or First Ascent in Arlington Heights.
Date nights are slightly harder to come by but I’m excited to check out Burl in Evanston or I love Jackman and Co in Glenview. Girls’ nights are almost always the back bar at Fat Shallot in Evanston or a pick-up paddle game at the Wilmette paddle hut.
What are you loving lately?
When I’m not watching the Olympics, it is peak Bravo television right now with Southern Charm and Summer House. That combo is currently providing a lot of joy. A book we’re really enjoying as a family is called Secrets of the Stars and each chapter tells the story of a nocturnal animal. I finally took the leap and ordered some Quince jeans- 10/10 would recommend!
Speaking of loving Quince, what’s something you cannot leave home without?
A beanie (haha). It’s always hat season for me.
It’s time to get down to business! Please introduce Campfire Sauna and Social.
Campfire Sauna and Social is a mobile, wood-fired sauna at Gillson Beach in Wilmette. We offer 50-minute community sessions, which accommodate 10-12 people. Our mission is to build healthier, more connected communities by making sauna culture more accessible. In doing so, we hope to give people a sense of rejuvenation and connection to nature, to themselves, and to others. Campfire is a local lakeside retreat for your mind, body, and soul.
That sounds absolutely lovely. How was the idea born?
As transplants to the Midwest, Brett and I are hyper aware of the importance of having a “village.” As our family grew over time, we relied heavily on our wonderful neighbors and preschool community for support. We always wanted to create a community-based business to pay it forward. This took on lots of different ideas over the years but after spending a few sessions at Sauna Club in Evanston, we were really struck by the sense of community that was formed during a brief sauna session. We could see that this sauna “trend” was really taking off across the country. We thought that it would do well in Wilmette, at our gorgeous town beach, in a community where so many connections already existed. We are eternally grateful to the Wilmette Park District for partnering with us so our dream could become a reality within our own community.
Tell us about the social part in Campfire Sauna and Social.
The social part of our business is the driving force behind our existence. Our mission from the start was to stretch and expand the connections that already exist in our community. Our slogan, “Come for the sauna, stay for the social,” suggests that while the health benefits of sauna use are well-known, the people you meet in the sauna are what will have you coming back for more.
You don’t have to have kids at a certain school, or be members at a country club, or be of a certain age or from a certain town- everyone is welcome at Campfire. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll learn during a session. We’re super proud of the community that has already formed over the last 6 months.
I keep hearing buzz about the benefits of heat therapy…. what’s the research saying?
The research on the benefits of sauna is vast with many significant findings. We like to say that it feels good and it’s good for you! Recent findings have revealed that regular sauna use is linked to a 40% reduction in all cause mortality. Studies have also shown regular sauna use is linked to decreased stress, better sleep, improved cardiovascular health, increased immunity, expedited muscle recovery, and long-term cognitive benefits. We have more specific study information on our website.
Is there parking at Gillson for this – I know it can be tough sometimes over there.
We operate in the Gillson Beach main parking lot from September through May. Because we are open exclusively during the “off-season”, there are no parking permit requirements and plenty of spots!
Hours of operation and season?
We operate September through May on Wednesday mornings, Thursday evenings, and Saturday/Sunday mornings. We hope to expand our operating hours as we grow our team to meet the future demands of our community.
What’s next? Are you thinking of opening additional locations?
We’d love to grow Campfire along the North Shore but will do so with intentionality. If you think your community could use this amenity, reach out to your park district! We shall see what 2026 holds…
What do you want our readers to know that we have not already covered?
We can’t and won’t try to convince you to try sauna. But we will encourage you to have an open mind about the idea of sweating, half-naked, with a bunch of strangers in a beautiful natural setting. It’s not about the shape or size of our bodies or the number of minutes or doing it “correctly”- it’s about unplugging and connecting, expanding your bubble, and making our world just a little bit smaller.
Booking is super easy with package options available – visit https://www.campfiresauna.com/appointments to start.
Give us your deets! Where can we connect and ask questions?
Website: www.campfiresauna.com
Instagram: @campfire_sauna
Email: [email protected] OR [email protected]
About Our Meet a Mom Sponsor
Chicago North Shore Moms is supported in part by Mary Gregory Gifford, a Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
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