Today we’d like to introduce you to Janee Matteson.
Janée Matteson owner of KAYAKMORRIS.com, was born and raised in Morris, IL. She has been a lifelong outdoor sportswoman, from her early days of fur trapping on the Illinois river in the 80’s, to duck hunting with her father annually on those same shores. Janée graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with one Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and a second in Kinesiotherapy. While at UIC she competed as a member of the Division 1 softball team.
After completing college, she worked for the first Director of Physical Therapy on the PGA Tour, which had since developed a golf specific medical wellness program. She traveled across the country teaching physical therapy clinic owners how to integrate, market and deliver this program into their own business until the year 2000. She then opened Fit 4 Golf, Inc./Body Alignment Center which has been in business since then serving Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. In 2010, Janee opened Kayak Morris seeking to join her love of the outdoors with teaching others about the importance of its preservation. Her mission is to reunite families by reconnecting them with the outdoors. This passion has evolved into a unique approach in offering a combination of outdoor recreation/outdoor education. Today this has become even more increasingly urgent. Technology has become a large component of daily life and therefore less time is spent exploring our outdoor world. It has become urgent that we teach kids (of all ages) the importance of management/preservation of our vital natural resources. Janée cites that kids have developed “Acute Nature Deficit Disorder” and she has made it her mission to reintroduce kids to the benefits of recreating outdoors and learning about the outdoor world that we live in. Janée is an ACA L2 Certified Kayak Instructor. She also holds a BCU (British Canoe Union) 2 Star certification in Sea Kayaking with an emphasis on water safety and rescue. In 2015, Janee completed her United States Coast Guard, Captains License certification and holds designations as both OUPV and a Masters License (25 ton.) She plans to use this license to have educational boat tours on the Illinois river and beyond. Janée is a Boy Scouts of America, Merit Badge Counselor for Kayaking, Geocaching, and Bird study. Janée is excited to be able to offer area residents new opportunities to explore the area and recreate in ways not previously available. She is also excited to introduce the Morris Area to nonresidents and showcase what a gem “River City” is!
Entrepreneurship runs deep in Matteson’s roots. Her relatives were some of the first in the Morris area. Her great-great-great grandfather, Peter Griggs, was one of the first settlers in Morris.
He built a log cabin near what is now the aqueduct (over Nettle Creek in Gebhard Woods) in 1837 and that land is still owned by her father Don, today, some 176 years later! Peter Griggs’ son, Jacob went on to be instrumental in the growth and development of Grundy County from the wild frontier into what it is known as today. The street that leads down to Stratton Park from Calhoun street is named Griggs Drive to commemorate them.
Her Great Grandfather, Melvin Matteson was known to locals as the “Ice” man. He operated a vital business to the area known as, Matteson Ice Company. He started the business in 1900 when he was just 20 years old. He would cut 50 pound blocks of ice out of the Mazon River and store them in the “icehouse”, which was located on the south bank of the Illinois River just west of the river bridge. He would then deliver the blocks to area businesses and residents. In 1905, Melvin, built his home at 503 E. Illinois Ave, and operated his business out of that location which is still standing today. Melvin operated the ice business until around 1930 when a great flood on the Illinois River destroyed the Icehouse.
Melvin’s son, Harry Matteson (Janee’s grandfather), then built a home at 110 Pine St. and reopened the Ice business in 1934. He remained in business as Matteson Refrigeration Sales and Service for over 50 years, until he retired in 1980. Her maternal grandfather, Les Johnson, was also a business owner in Morris, forming Johnson Glass & Lock on Liberty St. and also served as a City Councilman. Janee’s father is currently serving as an Alderman for the City Council.
“When we were kids, there weren’t such initiatives such as the NFL’s “Play 60” and “Leave No Child Inside”. The advent of the disconnect came with the dawn of the technology age. Now kids and adults combined, suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder. If we do not break this cycle, the generations to follow will not be avid participants in nature conservancy. The time is NOW!
We are combining easy access to kayaking, biking, canoeing, fishing, geocaching and hiking all in one great place! We make it FUN! We are even just steps away from historic downtown Morris, which features antique shops, novelty stores and great restaurants. We feature full sand beaches on the Illinois River and we are adjacent to the historic I & M canal and towpath featuring fishing, hiking, biking and geocaching.
We have GLampOut events, camping, kayak rentals and kayak tours.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Obstacles include unforeseen capital expenses, but overall has been a rewarding experience.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kayak Morris story. Tell us more about the business.
We have kayak rentals, guided kayak tours, camping and monthly GLampout events.
What sets us apart from others? Customer service, innovation and marketing. We strive to be attentive to customers’ needs and go above and beyond to deliver that promise. We are constantly trying to innovate to keep our programming fresh and relevant. We invented this new concept called a GLampout and have been successfully hosting these events since 2012. One of our GLampOuts we host is called the Drum & Fire GLampOut. http://www.kayakmorris.com/drum-n-fire-music-glampout/
Reasons to come to one of our Glampouts!
Perfect for 1st time Campers (or gives convenience to seasoned campers). Hint! You’ll never believe camping can be this fun!
Convenience-we provide (plates, cups, utensils napkins, beverages, firewood (for group fires), grills, stoves) so you don’t have to schlep we also have optional rental tents/air pads (complimentary set up/take down) (no fuss).
Saturday night Potluck Dinner is like a huge family reunion picnic.
We cook breakfast for you! Starbucks coffee too!
Forgot something? We have it! or Walmart, Jewel, Walgreens are just a couple miles away!
Seasoned camper? Just use the GLampout for convenience! Just roll in for dinner, movie, breakfast and roll back to your own camping area to be with your own group. We have campers that join us that want the convenience of the group GLampout but the solace of camping on their own. No worries. You can camp as close to or as far away from others that you want.
Glamping – shorthand for glamorous camping; luxury camping at a reasonable cost.
Join us for our super fun, totally awesome GLAMPOUTS!
Just show up and relax! Let us do the work!
Imagine awakening to the smell of Starbucks coffee, the sight of a beautiful sandy beach and the sound of Great Blue Herons overhead.
A movie.
A great campfire.
Meeting new people!
Take the STRESS out of your Staycation!
Less than 1 hour from Chicago!
Fully Wooded sandy beach camping!
Family friendly and FUN!!
Itinerary:
Saturday- arrive 2pm (or earlier if you want to rent kayaks, bike, hike, geocache or fish)
-6pm Potluck Dinner
-8pm Movie
Sunday – 8-10Am Hot Breakfast (we provide) Starbucks
-optional Guided Kayak Tour
You pick: Sat 11am-1pm or Sun 10am-12pm)
Gourmet Potluck Style (Everyone brings something to share) In the past, campers have brought, chicken fajitas, vegetarian chili, primal (vegan) choco chip cookies, Dutch oven cakes, antipasti stick, baked brie w/ baguette, Irish soda bread, hummus, you name it!
We show a MOVIE UNDER THE STARS.
All of our GLampouts include a hot, fresh breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage and pipin HOT Starbucks Coffee. Just sit back on the beach and enjoy your breakfast and the sunrise.
HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER THAT WANTS TO JOIN FOR THE ALL OF THE OUTDOOR GLAMPOUT FESTIVITIES BUT NOT CAMP OVERNIGHT? WE HAVE MANY HOTELS WITHIN 2-5 MILES FROM THE CAMPGROUND.
– Grills/grill baskets for your use for the Potluck dinner.
– We bring ice water (just bring your water bottle and powder drink mix packets).
– We even RENT TENTS / airpads!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am more of a realist and follow a path that luck is present where organization, perseverance and fortitude live. If you have the ingredients and combine them correctly then as luck will have it you will have a successful outcome.
Pricing:
- Daily Kayak (single/tandem) Rental ($55) includes FREE camping
- GLampouts ($10-49)
- Guided Kayak Tours ($19-69)
Contact Info:
- Address: 801 Kayak Morris Road,
Morris, IL 60450 - Website: http://www.kayakmorris.com
- Phone: 630-567-4653
- Email: kayakmorris@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kayakmorris
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kayakmorris
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kayakmorris
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kayak-morris-morris
illlinois campgrounds
Image Credit:
Kayak Morris
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