Interview by Kelly Postiglione. Photos provided by Lorrie Funtleyder,
This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with Lorrie Funtleyder, the founder of Boundless Adventures, a favorite destination for adventure-seeking families in Westchester. From aerial climbing courses and zip lines to summer camps and unforgettable birthday parties, Boundless Adventures offers experiences that help kids build confidence, independence, and resilience while having fun outdoors. What began as a family’s love of adventure has grown into a business dedicated to helping families challenge themselves, connect, and create lasting memories together. We chatted with Lorrie about the inspiration behind Boundless Adventures, the journey of building the business, and what makes it such a unique experience for local families.
Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
I’m originally from New Jersey and raised my family in Rye Brook. We recently moved to Stamford CT now that the kids are out of the house.
Tell us about your family. How old are your kids and what are they into these days?
My daughter is 22. She lives in Manhattan and works in consulting. My son is 20 and a junior in college at University of Maryland.
What made you want to start Boundless Adventures? Was there a moment when you thought, “We need something like this”?
Our family never repeated a vacation. Every year we would try something new. When the kids were just 6 and 8 years old we had them rock climbing in Aspen. The next year we ended up in West Virginia to try out caving, ziplining and what we now know to be an aerial adventure course. It had such a positive impact on my entire family that we decided to bring the experience closer to home.
What was the very beginning like? Did you always picture it becoming what it is today?
At first we thought it was going to be a financial investment and we would keep our day jobs. Once we built the first park on Long Island with a partner, we decided to go all in. My husband and I both quit our jobs. We opened 2 parks in 2018 and 1 in 2019. COVID and the reality of having more than 150 employees changed our plans for a fast growth trajectory. We are working on our 4th park now, but it has proven to be a long process.
How has being a mom influenced the way you run Boundless and design the experience for families?
Being a mom has shaped everything about how I run Boundless and how we design the experience for families. We named the company Boundless Adventures because we truly believe that everyone has boundless possibilities. I raised my children to be confident, independent, and resilient, to face challenges with grit and curiosity. My goal is to help our guests build those same life skills. What that looks like in practice is really seeing families and understanding what they need in the moment. I love watching how they interact on the course. Just recently, I saw a dad trying to navigate a tough situation. His 5-year-old was on our Junior Explorer course, and his 8-year-old was too nervous to do the main course alone, so she joined her younger sibling. As they were leaving, it was clear the 8-year-old felt disappointed. She wanted the chance to challenge herself. So I stepped in and offered to stay with the 5-year-old so the dad could go with his older daughter. That moment, helping a child push past fear and a parent be part of it, is exactly why we do what we do. Being a mom gives me an instinct for what families need, and I try to build that into every part of the experience.
For families who have never been, what can they expect on their first visit?
For first-time families, they can expect an experience that’s both exciting and very approachable. We guide you through check-in, harnessing, and a safety briefing so you feel confident before you start. From there, it’s a self-guided experience where you move at your own pace, choose your level of challenge, and support each other along the way. What makes it special is how quickly it becomes more than just an activity. Kids build confidence, parents get involved, and families leave feeling proud of what they accomplished together.
Your summer camp is such a unique option. What makes a Boundless camp day different from a traditional day camp?
We started out as a ½ day week long program with one activity, the aerial course. It is similar to sending your child to a specialty camp, like soccer, acting, etc. What makes it unique is that it can’t be replicated outside of our program. For the kids that are 10+ they can access our entire course which has an age requirement of 12 if they are with their parents. For ages 8-9, they can access 10 of our 11 courses, 2 of which they wouldn’t be able to do with their parents. We expanded to have a full day program now. It integrates other activities, such as crafts, nature or team building activities, to provide a balanced camp experience for kids that need a full day experience. We work with small groups with the goal really being to focus on self-esteem, confidence, and everything that Boundless Adventures stands for.
Birthday parties there look like so much fun. What makes a Boundless birthday celebration special?
What makes a Boundless birthday celebration special is that it’s not just a party, but rather it’s a shared adventure. Instead of sitting around, kids are actively challenging themselves, encouraging each other, and celebrating real accomplishments on the course. There’s a natural energy and excitement that you just don’t get in a traditional party setting. We also make it easy for parents. Our team helps guide the experience from start to finish, so they can step back and actually enjoy watching their child and their friends have an unforgettable day. It’s the combination of adventure, confidence-building, and genuine connection that makes it so memorable.
What do you hope kids walk away with after spending a day climbing and adventuring at Boundless?
Big smiles on their faces and pride in their swagger.
What are your favorite local spots for eating out, family fun and self care?
There are so many good local restaurants. My favorite Italian is Sergio’s Saw Pit in Portchester, favorite Asian is either Koku in Armonk or O’Mandarin in Hartsdale but locally we enjoy Watermoon.
We’re incredibly grateful for our amazing community and the wonderful people and places that make it so special. Explore our Blog page for features that spotlight local businesses and more. Looking for something to do in Westchester? Check out our Local Guides and Calendar pages to discover what’s happening locally and follow along on Instagram for more!