Fate Meyer and Jessica Schenkel, co-owners of From the Top Glamping, pose inside a tent they set up for a 12-year-old’s birthday party.
by Bridget Weishaar
Glamping, a form of camping involving accommodations and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping, is all the rage in 2023. So why not bring the experience to your own backyard and let someone else handle all the details?
From the Top Glamping, once a Topeka-based business, is now encompassing the Meriden and surrounding communities under the direction of co-owners Jessica Schenkel and Fate Meyer.
The duo started out as members of the Meriden-Ozawkie Chamber of Commerce, which led to an instant friendship, and then, on a wild hair, a business partnership.
After spending years in the corporate world, both women knew that being close to home to raise their families was important to them, so when the opportunity to purchase the “backyard adventure” company was a no-brainer for Schenkel; she just needed to get Meyer on board.
The mantra of From The Top Glamping is selling their clients experience options.
Experiences booked through the business are completely customizable and can cover a wide variety of bases — kids’ birthdays, sleepovers, romantic staycations, girls’ nights out, movie packages, and much more.
“We enjoy bringing something fun and unique to local people and helping them make memories,” Meyer stated.
Each glamping experience includes a 16 foot tent, full tent decor, memory foam mattresses with full bedding, and air conditioning and heat, weather depending.
Current booking options include a movie night package, complete with projector and popcorn; romance package, complete with flowers and chocolate covered strawberries; and the girls night out/bachlorette package which includes up to six twin beds, party cups, plates, and snacks.
If you are looking for a completely unique experience, all you have to do is ask! The business is willing to create any experience needed.
Mini package add-on’s in clude such things as S’Mores, complete with graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, and roasting sticks, or a snack pack including chips, drinks, popcorn, and candy.
The business is also coordinating seasonal collaboratives with other local proprietors and can offer such things as locally grown flower bouquets or a make-your-own bouquet bar from Seven Pines, Meriden, or a picnic lunch/dinner from Sippin’ Somewhere, Topeka, to make your experience more memorable.
Meyer stated that while the most popular booking thus far has been geared toward the ladies, they are wanting to branch more into the masculine world.
“All ideas are open for personal experiences,” she said. “We would like to be able to tailor-fit a boy birthday party, sports theme, hunting, fishing, or whatever the client needs.”
Packages can also be mixed and matched. Add-on’s besides the flower bar and picnic lunch include a fire pit, movie projector, sectional sofa, lounger pillows, and a variety of yard games.
Since purchasing the company in the winter of 2022, From the Top has booked six experiences just by word of mouth and repeat customers who loved their previous experience.
While bookings are usually kept within a 20 to 30 mile radius of the Meriden area, further options are available upon request.
The price range for each experience varies depending on how much or how little the client is asking for and whether or not add-on’s are thrown into the mix.
For those who are not a fan of the outdoors, the duo has recently purchased six indoor “mini” tents and can also bring your ideas to life inside your space.
Regarding the future of From the Top Glamping Schenkel said, “It can be as big as we want it or as small as we want it. If the booking are coming in we are going to fill them.”
Schenkel grew up in the Valley Falls area and is a realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wostal Realty. She and husband Cory, have one daughter, Austyn.
Meyer was born in Alabama, grew up in Manhattan, and moved to the Meriden area just over 10 years ago. She is married to Scott Meyer and is a stay-at-home mom of two boys.
The business can be reached at fromthetopglamping.com, by email at Fromthetopglamping@gmail.com, or found on Facebook.