In the age of millennials, outdoor camping seems to have taken off in a big way during the last few years. No longer is it the pastime of old people, but many from the younger generation as well. And the number of people looking at it as a mere trend to follow is relatively few as it has seen an upsurge in popularity after years of decline. Not just camping, but interestingly, the generation of today is reshaping the entire recreation industry in more ways than one. All this has happened in the past five years itself, which leaves one to imagine just how much more popular camping can become in the future if things continue the way they are.
Read also: 10 Significant Reasons Why You Should Go to Camping
A trip outdoors involves you going through many options, but one cannot deny that camping in general, is one of the most affordable ones. Studies indicate that a large majority of households are camping at least three times a year, which is a refreshing change from the times when most families would only consider camping a yearly activity. More than that was literally unheard of.
For anyone who still has doubts about this being more of a millennial trend, studies denote that millennials make up at least three-quarters of all campers. The newer generation is taking to this outdoor activity like never before, but with a twist. Let’s find out how.
Camping can be enjoyed in many ways
Back in the day, one would not even think about the diverse options of camping. Just a tent, sleeping bag, a first aid kit carrying a survival knife and a portable stove was more than enough. In today’s scenario, one can clearly see that those days are long gone. Today, it is a lot more about getting a hold of the most top-notch quality packing gear that will make your trip as comfortable as possible rather than roughing it out in the woods. Even though the latter has its fair share of appeal as well, many new aspects such as specialised knives for camping and the like, make it an exclusive experience for many out there.
More and more brands are adjusting their products to fit in with the needs of people wanting a leisurely approach to camping. Where in the past, the focus was on the technical aspects of camping gear, now it is mostly about the user-friendly, comfortable and stylish aspects of the same product.
Now it is revealed that millennial couples are not only trying new camping destinations but are experimenting with different forms of camping as well. Plus, there is an increase of them bringing their extended families along as well. All of this combines to form an extremely memorable, interactive and homely cross-generational experience that most other outdoor activities cannot offer. Unlike most other activities that take outside, it is limited to a particular age group, but an activity like camping transcends all age boundaries with ease. Its meteoric rise in popularity over the past few years has certainly proven that.
The pairing of camping and social media
Even though camping has soared in popularity, this does not automatically mean that most people are using it to take a break from technology. There is a big difference between taking a break from your hectic work schedule and going on a social media detox. The younger millennial generation proves this fact in spades. While none of the older campers would bother using social media to illuminate certain key aspects of their camping life, today it is a very different scenario with the younger crowd.
In the old days, going for a hike outdoors was about connecting with nature. Today, it is also about people staying connected with each other while doing so. For instance, a camping group creates a live collection of photos on social media just so that everyone in the group can share the experiences of one another and go to the best camping spots collectively. Of course, one cannot neglect the fact that most campers prefer to carry their phones while camping for security reasons just in case something goes wrong or they get lost.
The younger crowd looks at pictures as meaningful memories to cherish as well as the ideal thing to post on social media and share with all of their friends. More than half of the campers out there have stated that they use social media on a daily basis while camping. Ultimately, it all boils down to personal preference and whichever way one chooses to look at things, it is all about the experience.
Conclusion
With camping becoming a thing to do almost every few months for many students across several universities, it is safe to assume that the enthusiasm regarding camping and what people can do with it is just getting started. Some say that it is still nowhere even close to reaching a peak level just yet, but is surely on its way to getting there. One does not even have to take the trouble of planning much ahead in advance as so many options are available in the market. A single search on the Internet or a quick chat with another camping enthusiast ensures that all you want is available at your fingertips.
One way to look at camping is that it helps you to unwind and destress, clearing your mind from all the clutter that is created due to the chaos of everyday life. Even people who were previously not interested in camping have now been drawn to this outdoor activity due to its peaceful aspects. While at least half the campers prefer tents, a surprising number of people have gone for RVs and smalls cabins as practical options as well. Tents still reign supreme, but in a few years, the preference may very well shift. If you stay close to an area where natural parks and forests are abundant, you can consider yourself truly lucky. Plus, many popular camping sites tend to be booked several months in advance which is indicative of how sought-after the activity of camping is by the general population at large.
With regard to the last point, even people who do not have the money or aren’t ready just yet to invest in quality outdoor equipment necessary for camping need not feel worried about being felt out of all the fun. There are several sites and services that offer some of the best weekend rental gear at affordable prices just so that it does not cut into the budget of most college students. The fun of camping is as sublime and inclusive as it gets. Plus, services have taken things a step further and enabled camping enthusiasts to hunt and reserve unique and secluded spots