Steamboat Springs — Seven years ago, founder Scotty Stoughton wanted to create a gathering that focused on more than just a festival-type atmosphere like those in Bonaroo, Coachella or Lollapalooza. He wanted something that would connect people on a deeper level.

“The goal for us is to have everyone leave the event feeling recharged, empowered and inspired,” Stoughton said. “We started with one stage, one yoga teacher, a few bands and a dream to unite people around this beautiful environment.”

At a riverside venue nestled in the mountains, Campout For The Cause, Stoughton’s evolution of an idea, has become a three-day roots music and lifestyle festival held over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 through May 24, at Rancho Del Rio, about an hour and forty minutes from Steamboat Springs.

The event features yoga of all styles, stand-up paddleboarding, lifestyle workshops, camping and live music. Headliners this year include Fruition and Elephant Revival, as well as renowned singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov. Other acts include Bonfire, The Lil Smokies, Dustbowl Revival and Steamboat’s local group, the Old Town Pickers. To see the full lineup and schedule for the performances visit campoutforthecause.org/schedule/.

“These types of festivals don’t happen enough,” said Jay Roemer, guitar player for the Old Town Pickers. “Music Festivals are a big thing these days, and many times, it’s organized by corporate sponsors. This is the complete opposite of that.”

Grounded in the notion that artists have a responsibility to connect people and give back to support communities, Stoughton said Campout for the Cause donates 100 percent of its net profits to nonprofit organizations such as All Hands Volunteers and the Eagle Valley Land Trust. This year, Campout For The Cause will also be partnering with American Rivers, a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers.

“The common thread vision for this is the philosophy that the artists who are featured have that sitting-around-a-campfire vibe and can perform without any gadgets,” Stoughton said. “They have that larger appreciation of the world in which they create art within.”

“The Old Town Pickers are great guys who perform with a lot of energy,” Stoughton added about Steamboat’s local band. “If they weren’t great, I wouldn’t have booked them, and I know their enthusiasm is great for this.”

Meant to be a gathering for friends and families, the festival offers a number of activities for all ages. Additional yoga classes have been added to the 2015 schedule, which will be led by yoga instructors who live near Rancho Del Rio, including Boulder-based teacher Gina Caputo. Special guest Heath Perry will also be holding lifestyle workshops and performance art featuring Fractal Tribe.

New this year will be the communal cook area, with a fire for roasting food available for all to use. There will also be free water available on site to fill reusable containers.

Single-day ticket prices range from $59 to $69 and include access to the concerts and lifestyle workshops. Two- and three-day passes, which include camping, music and the lifestyle workshops, range from $119 to $149.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1