Introduction
Camping is one of the common outdoor activities that usually take place at a camp site. Participants, commonly known as campers, leave the comfort of their homes or regions to spend one or several nights outdoors (Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook 195).
The art of camping may involve the use of tents, cabins, and may require primitive structures. Other times the campers may choose to use no shelter at all. Besides students and the youth, camping is also common with people engaged in sporting events and team building activities.
Camping As an Activity
Camping is an activity that can be undertaken virtually anybody. In 1998 alone, more than 29 million Americans were able to at least go for a camp. This is through the efforts that they undertook to visit a local national park (Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook 95).
The purpose of camping is to ensure that people are exposed to the outdoor more than they are to the indoors, being that they tend to spend most of their daily lives confined in the interior of their homes or their surroundings. It is through their quest to get a greater sense of exposure that they decide to go out and explore the environment, probably in places that they are not very well familiar with.
Reasons for Camping
Some of the reasons why students love to go camping is because they get exposed to the physical challenges in the surroundings and thus, the experience of ‘roughing’ up to them is basically exhilarating. In other cases, they may decide to go camping as a way of exploring the wildlife present in the area.
They may also choose to explore the scenery of the location or just for purposes of seeking an adventure (Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook 196). At times, it helps to get away from their busy daily lives and helps to give a sense of relaxation.
Possible Camping Areas
Possible areas that one could visit for purposes of camping include the local national parks, various recreational centers that have been designed solely for this purpose, in the state and country parks, and also in local park forests. It is not necessary that one be exposed to various outdoors activities to be good campers. It is also not necessary that one is an athlete to be a successful camper, and neither do they require a lot of money.
Rationale for Camping
The rationale behind camping is to maximize safety and to have fun. Important lessons derived from camping include how to maintain utmost safety, how to approach various life experiences and how to ensure that one does not get hurt (Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook 195). One of the ways through which people going for a camp can maintain their safety is by the use of travel guides or outfitters.
This way, the people and the students can be able to enjoy various outdoor activities that may involve the climbing of rocks, fishing and caving (Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook 195). The job of an outfitter is to run trips in the various parts of the country and even throughout the world.
The organized trips can either be easy or strenuous in nature. Alternatively, camping organizations can also arrange for various outdoor experiences and activities. Some of these groups like the Sierra club aim to promote the environment and the natural use of treasures.
Types of Camping
There are four types of camping, namely, back packing, canoe camping, sail camping and bicycle touring (Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook 200).
In back packing, campers pack light weight luggage in their camping bags and move with them from one place to another. Most of the luggage carried along is camping equipment. The reason why some people may desire to engage in this type of camping is to experience the true nature of the wild.
Canoe camping, though similar to back packing, involves the use of canoes as the means of transport. Since campers do not usually carry luggage, they use canoes to do so. This type of camping is common in North America.
Sail camping is a type of camping that is mostly common with people who love to sail. Most of the times, people that indulge in this type of camping are sailors that may require or may desire to have a break from the waters.
Bicycle touring is common among ardent bicycle riders. In this form of camping, more distance can be covered and most of the camping gear, though light in weight, can also be carried by bike. There a small number of bike-in sites in various camps that are only meant for mountain biking.
Recommendations before Embarking On a Camp
Before one can embark on a camping trip, it is necessary that they make adequate plans to ensure that the camp is successful. Some of the necessary questions to ask include: what experience is desired through the camp? The clothes required? The equipment required for the camp? The food required? (Leisure Market Research Handbook 175).
This is very essential in order to ensure that one is well oriented for the camp and that they are not taken by surprise in the course of any events that may come up. One of the essential elements to consider is the weather and the season (Leisure Market Research Handbook 175). This way, adequate safety plans can be instigated as well.
Additionally, contacting the park officials or the camp center that you intend to visit is essential, as the camp official will be able to advice you on the necessary precautions and preparations before the commencement of the camp. It is further necessary that the price of the equipment required to be analyzed and evaluated to determine whether it matches with the set budget. This is one way to ensure that the camp is not overly expensive for the campers and that they are adequately prepared.
The last consideration before going for a camp would be the camping grounds. It is necessary that the various factors, such as location of the camp site, and the security of the location, among others, are evaluated (Leisure Market Research Handbook 175). This way, the campers will be able to be well oriented and familiar with what they are to expect on site. This way, they may also go ahead to orient themselves with the rules and regulations of the site.
Conclusion
While most camps are mainly organized for students and the youth, camping is actually an activity that is meant to engage every age group, from children to adults. It is an activity that can be done to break away from the daily struggles of life, in team building and for recreation. It is necessary that before people embark on a camp, they carry out preparations to maximize their safety and to orient themselves with the camp site.
Works Cited
Leisure Market Research Handbook. “46: Hiking & Camping.” Business Source Complete. New York: Richard K. Miller & Associates, 2012. Print.
Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook. “Camping.” Source Complete. London: Sage, 2013. Print.