What’s your favorite method of camping? Heading out onto the open road and enjoying everything the American landscape has to offer is one of the United States’ greatest past times. Turns out not everyone camps the same way, though, and the millions of individuals, friend group and families that head out every spring and summer all have different ideas on how they want to enjoy the weather. From cabin rentals to campgrounds near Lake George, the world truly is your oyster.
Tents
The most classic way of relaxing under the stars, tents are still quite popular when the warmer seasons roll around. While they can be a little hard to set up, the pride that comes with a completed tent and sleeping bag can’t be beat! Studies have shown camping to be as common today as it was a few decades ago, ranking as the most beloved outdoor activity among Americans of different age groups. The year 2013 alone grossed nearly $5 billion in camping expenses, to boot!
Campgrounds
For those that don’t quite want to rough it on their vacation, a campground is an ideal in-between for nature lovers and the more casually inclined. They offer a wide variety of useful amenities, such as showers and fire pits, to encourage comfort throughout the weekend — it’s also nice to connect with other campers and hang out! A study by the Institute of Education at Plymouth University saw a whopping 98% of parents saying camping helps their children better appreciate nature, while another 95% said their children were happier while they were camping. Yet another 93% believed camping provided their children with much-needed life skills.
Common Activities
So you’ve chosen whether or not you’ll be using a classic tent or visiting a quality campground. What do you like to do? Over 60% of campers participated in consistent outdoor activities as children, while only one-quarter of non-participants were exposed to the outdoors. Some of the most common activities include, but aren’t limited to, hiking, fishing, swimming, cooking, bird-watching, painting, boating and rafting. In fact, people will often choose a location specific to the hobby they want to spend their weekend doing.
Common Locations
Curious about where you should go once you’ve figured out your personal camping preferences? You’re far from alone on this. Mount Marcy is the highest peak in the state of New York, reaching a stunning 5,334 feet. If you’re one of nearly 45% of campers who plan trips at least once per month, Lake George is well known for its plethora of kid-friendly activities and locales. Last, but not least, it never hurts to ask around and see where people like to go on their off-time.
Planning A Great Trip
Whether you’ve decided to dig up your old tents or seek out the convenience of a campground, you’re already well on your way to planning a great trip. Over 43% of campers planned their trip at least a month in advance, all the better to make sure common slip-ups don’t occur and leave them more irritated than they were when they started. One of the most essential tips to a successful vacation is making sure everybody has something to do when you get there — if that means scheduling the weekend hour by hour, so be it! Most people prefer to bring friends when camping and nearly everyone looks forward to a good meal at the end of a long day of fun. Where will you go camping this summer?
