Mobile sauna wants to extend warm vibes at Wilmette beach

Gillson Beach’s newest addition will soon be a mobile sauna that is meant to promote health — physically, mentally and socially.

Campfire Sauna and Social will be opening its wooden doors to the Wilmette community just after Labor Day, on Sept. 5. 

Married couple and parents Brett and Lauren Rudowsky started the company, which has a mission to “build healthier, more connected communities by making Scandinavian sauna culture more accessible.” 

A year ago, the two started visiting a sauna in Evanston and loved the benefits they began experiencing. The experience inspired them to start a sauna of their own in Wilmette, a community they have fallen in love with since moving in six years ago.

“For many years, we’ve talked about, ‘What can we do to give back to the community that has given us so much?’” said Brett Rudowsky. 

How about help build more community? The sauna enables that, Lauren Rudowsky said.

“When we first got into sauna, we realized the unique community that is formed when you’re sitting in a sauna with people,” she said. “You have no phones, no distractions, and you get to know a lot of people that maybe wouldn’t otherwise meet in your bubble.” 

Some health benefits of regular sauna use include improved cardiovascular health, boosted longevity, enhanced brain function, faster recovery, and improved sleep, mood and mental health. 

Each session in the sauna is 50 minutes and pricing begins at $20 for a newbie pass to $300 for 10 passes. They also offer an unlimited monthly membership for $199. You can also rent out the whole mobile sauna, which can fit 10-12 people, or reserve it for an offsite event. 

The Rudowskys named their concept Campfire Sauna and Social after the environment that is created when sitting around a campfire, one that allows for connection and conversation. 

“The beauty of sauna is that you don’t have to have kids that go to a certain school, you don’t have to be a part of a country club. There’s no requirement to be a certain age. Everyone is welcome,” Lauren Rudowsky said. 

The couple also shared their experience working with the local park district, which manages Gillson Park and Beach. 

“There’s a lot of towns in and around Chicago, but there are few towns that have the openness and the progressive mindset to allow for a space that offers what we’re offering,” Brett Rudowsky said. “Wilmette Park District has been phenomenal.” 

Campfire Sauna and Social will begin taking reservations at its website in August.

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