Ok I'll ask.
I guess this belongs in campfire more than here but there is so little traffic over there I'll post here and let the powers that be decide.
We went tent camping last week (for the last time) and since I was feeling a little under the weather, spent the whole four days' at the site watching birds and people and just "reflecting". As I sat there just looking, a pick-up came by my site with about ten young white folks and one young black fellow in the back. They seemed to be having the time of their lives, a whooping and a hollering, and within an hour their tents were set up and picnic tables filled with food and drink. Soon after they had a downright respectable volleyball game going and I kept an unofficial score going from a distance. The next morning, while my wife was cooking breakfast, I saw that same young black gentleman come out of his tent and do a morning stretch.
It was then, that it occured to me that in fifty years or so, this was the first time I'd ever seen a black person, or any person other than white for that matter, camping!
Why is that? I'm sure camping isn't exclusive to "whites only"! Just my ramblings but I really don't know. Anybody care to comment?
Russ
First, as moderator, let's all be careful with this topic.
Now, as Camper Larry, I have observed the same thing. I grew up with lots of African Americans in my hometown, some of them becoming very good friends.
Holly and I have often wondered aloud (betwixt one another, of course) about this. I don't know why...and I'm afraid to suggest much.
I will say this: The few minorities we have seen camping have been pleasant, as I recall. And I would bet that I would remember an unpleasant experience.
Larry
I must say that most of the campers I have seen have been white, but there are more and more blacks that are reaping the benefits of camping, and I must say, some of my closest camping buddies are black and beautiful! I think the people you meet while camping bear far less prejusdices than the general population - personal opinion!
The Weekend of August 13th, I will be opening the camping door for my African American friend and her son. This will be their very first camping trip, I explained to them that once you get a taste of camping in your blood it is hard to break. I am looking forward to this trip.
WE camped at James Island near Charlston last weekend and there was a black couple with their two kids camped near by in a big 5th..... They were really nice folks and seemed to be having a great time....Two years ago in Kentucky we pulled onto a site next to an elderly black couple and their four teenage grand kids...They had camped a lot and were on a two week trip and teaching the kids about camping and the outdoors...The kids were very much interested in how a popup worked and were amazed at all the space it had.....We stayed two nites and really had a grand time talking with them...They were really great people and great campers.......
Hi everybody:
I knew this was a touchy subject for some, and I guess the fact that it is so sensitive speaks volumes, but I really am curious why you seldom see "non-whites" camping.
When I asked the question I didn't mean African American only. Look around next time your at the CG. It seems that Camping/RVing is practically exclusive to Anglo Saxon America, be they low, middle, or upper income; from tents to half million dollar coaches, it's the same.
My first impression was that it's just not marketed to that demographic, but that doesn't really hold water. Then I read where several state park systems have initiated a "diversity camping program", Washington state being among the first, but that there is some speculation that minorities simply feel like they just wouldn
Living in an Urban/Suburban area, the CGs closer to the city draw many different races. Yes the majority are white, but we do get some diversity.
Guess I never questioned camping being a one race pasttime because around here it's not.
Even back in the woods we have met some other campers that were not
white. I even learned a new terminology for boondocking.......bedrocking :)
(as in the Flintstones, get your mind out of the gutter ;))
Quote from: ForestCreatureget your mind out of the gutter ;))
:Z
Sorry!
Larry
At the turn of the century there was a very popular resort in Idlewild, Michigan (http://www.soulofamerica.com/resorts/idlewild.html) . It was a very popular place for blacks to go camping, hiking, horseback riding , and generally enjoying the outdoors. It is a resort community founded by blacks specifically for that purpose.
Living in Southern California, it is not uncommon to see many black people enjoying their RVs. Los Angeles neighborhoods like Lemert Park and Dominguez Hills are where many upper middle class black people live, and on any given morning you can see MANY really nice RVs heading out of town.
Many of the black churches in the area have yearly weekend camping trips, so it's not uncommon for them to go camping in very large groups at the group campsites.
I grew up camping and had never seen any non-caucasian campers either. A few years ago I had a black co-worker who lived in Lemert Part, (in the 1940's it was a Bevery Hills type area). He is the one that taught me about all this stuff, and that he and his family have been going camping all of thier lives. But for racial reasons, and the percieved and real safety of their family, they always tended to camp where they would not encounter "uncivilized" white folk. And not really trusting or knowing who was or wasn't "civilized" when out in the boonies, they would normally camp on private property owned by fellow black people. That's why you probably have not seen very many.
Unfortunate, but it's the world we live in.
Quote from: Rustyone...... Anglo Saxon America, be they low, middle, or upper income; from tents to half million dollar coaches, it's the same.......
I have rarely encountered Anglo Saxons while camping. When camping in the central Canadian area as a young lad in the Boy Scouts I encountered many of Norman ancestry. And in FL, LA, NC, GA, and TX many of a Brunette brown-eyed tribe, perhaps Mediterreranean decent. In California I have ran into many a camper of Iberian decent, many true Spaniards, Basques, and Portuguese! ;)
Come on down here to Florida. We get all colors, Red, Black, White and Orange (oh those are the Gator Fans). I'm still keeping my out for the green ones:yikes: .
Gosh, I asked this question back in the early days of PUT when we were planning on taking our neighbors with us.
We have actually taken with us Ray's long time friend (no! not his best friend the "black guy") on a weekend trip and really had a good time. He actually asked Ray if he could tag along. Ray kinda warned him that he would be the only black guy there in the CG and asked him if he would feel uncomfortable. He still agreed to go. It all worked out that weekend, but I wont say we never got any bad looks. We do live in the south where there can be a presence of prejudice. However no words were spoken to us. No damage done.
I have never had a problem if someone is really into camping. What don't appreciate anyone trying to impose their lifestyle on me no matter what they believe. Even have seen a pop-up with a bumper sticker with a rainbow "camping family" and something else in small print. (I was not close enough to see what it said) :confused: Hey it drove away.
I also do not believe in politcal correctness and call it as I see it.
As long is there is no trouble or hateful stuff we can just camp. Isn't that what were here for.
By the way! Did you know that pop-up campers get a bad rap on other boards just for being in pop-ups? Talk about prejudice:p
Quote from: mowalkerBy the way! Did you know that pop-up campers get a bad rap on other boards just for being in pop-ups? Talk about prejudice:p
Yep...I thought about this when the thread first came up. I believe that those in big motor homes (and sometimes bigger trailers) think we are amateurs! NOT!
Larry
Quote from: ForestCreatureLiving in an Urban/Suburban area, the CGs closer to the city draw many different races. Yes the majority are white, but we do get some diversity.
Guess I never questioned camping being a one race pasttime because around here it's not.
Yep...same for around here. Every race, color, make, and model. :> Once it gets in your blood, we're all just campers! :>
I took my wife on a cruise last december for our 10th anniversary. While on the ship we went to see a stand up show where the comedian summed it up. He said white folks are crazy, they work hard all year to save money and earn vacation time just to live for a week like they are homeless. He said black folks just have more sense than that. I guess it sounds reasonable, I never claimed to be sane.
Quote from: rh44magI took my wife on a cruise last december for our 10th anniversary. While on the ship we went to see a stand up show where the comedian summed it up. He said white folks are crazy, they work hard all year to save money and earn vacation time just to live for a week like they are homeless. He said black folks just have more sense than that. I guess it sounds reasonable, I never claimed to be sane.
Oh that is great! LOL
our second summer vacation we told both DD's that they could take a friend my older daughter asked to take her beau(and since we had elder brother home from army to bunk with)I agreed.Yongest asked to take friend who just happens to be an african american.I agreed,I did mention the likelyhood of diversity draught before departure but she is a tough kid and seemed to understand. Everything went fine until the end of the trip.And, this had little to do with camping,but went to a local super wally world and she was tagging along with youngest;and I could feel the straring.These people acted like they had never seen an african american before.Sad for them,...and us..... :confused:
Quote from: brainpauseYep...I thought about this when the thread first came up. I believe that those in big motor homes (and sometimes bigger trailers) think we are amateurs! NOT!
Larry
I represent that remark.......:eyecrazy:
I don't think no one on here is an amateur...:p .
I used to be one of you.......
I was drawn into the Dark Forces of the TT world....:)
BUT I was telling someone yesterday, that I wished I had the ole' PU back for this weekend as I make a quick weekend get away..BUT I will have 8 people camping in my TT, so I would be a little tight on space in PU.
MOwalker good to see you also...
We camped James Island County Park in Charleston, SC two weeks ago and we saw a black couple camping in tents driving a Jaguar. Then later in the day another white family arrived on their site in tents, then by Saturday evening they had an older Airstream on the same lot. Just a group of campers.. The funny thing was the Jaguar... Nothing else seemed out of place.. You will see more and more diversity as prices for vacations rise and camping prices stay around the same as now.. PLUS fuel prices will keep us closer to home over the next few years.
I grew up on Army bases and we always camped, ate and etc with folks of different colors.. Just a military thing....
see ya
randy
P.S. I am headed for the lake this weekend with about half of my SS class.. Weekend retreat..Lake, camping, boats, fishing, food, campfires, family, friends...... Life lessons to be learned... What great trip!!!
On our first trip of the year at a local state park we had camping neighbors who were from India or Pakistan. They had several adjoining sites and lots of kids. It seemed to be a family reunion type weekend with cars from several states. They were newbie's at camping but everyone had a great time. I had remarked to my spouse that that was a 1st for us but hopefully we showed them the ropes enough that they will try it again!
here in ny and nj, we see all mixes of campers, I have several friends of different races creeds , we all get along, and camp
Perhaps this is more of a "settler" type of thing. i.e. it's more condussive to those who have done it longer - camping that is.
I am new to PUT, registered today and this is my first post.
We just bought our first PU camper (a 2005 Starcraft 10RT.) We live in Western Colorado and often see a diversity when we camp. Mostly our neighbors are hispanic and seem to cook the most scrumptious foods while camping. It's hard to get my kids to eat hot dogs when the neighbors are eating something that smells delectable! I'm so jealous! :)
"Now that, my friends, is sad. When you consider the impact our favorite pastime could have on inner city kids it is very sad."
For six years, we hosted a young black male from the inner city of New York.
His first year camping was a bit scary as he was not used to all the bugs and night noises. After that, his first question when we picked him up the following years was "When are we going camping."
S'mores and ice cream were his favorite foods.
If you are interested in hosting a young inner city child, may I suggest you contact the Fresh Air Fund or take a look at this link:
http://www.freshair.org/volunteertime.asp
You can take an inner city child into your home for a week the first year, and if that child returns again, I believe that you can have them stay at your home for as long as three weeks.
Our two kids really enjoyed the experience of lving with an inner city kid especially since we are in a very rural area.
It can be a great experience for not only the child, but your family as well. Your kids will learn that there are children that do not share the same values or have the opportunities that they have.
Give it a try.
Quote from: GeneF"Now that, my friends, is sad. When you consider the impact our favorite pastime could have on inner city kids it is very sad."
For six years, we hosted a young black male from the inner city of New York.
His first year camping was a bit scary as he was not used to all the bugs and night noises. After that, his first question when we picked him up the following years was "When are we going camping."
S'mores and ice cream were his favorite foods.
If you are interested in hosting a young inner city child, may I suggest you contact the Fresh Air Fund or take a look at this link:
http://www.freshair.org/volunteertime.asp
You can take an inner city child into your home for a week the first year, and if that child returns again, I believe that you can have them stay at your home for as long as three weeks.
Our two kids really enjoyed the experience of lving with an inner city kid especially since we are in a very rural area.
It can be a great experience for not only the child, but your family as well. Your kids will learn that there are children that do not share the same values or have the opportunities that they have.
Give it a try.
Very touching, Gene. And knowing you and Terry personally, I am not surprised.
I have worked briefly with Inner City kids, and it is quite rewarding, though can be challenging.
Larry
Quote from: GeneF"Now that, my friends, is sad. When you consider the impact our favorite pastime could have on inner city kids it is very sad."
For six years, we hosted a young black male from the inner city of New York.
His first year camping was a bit scary as he was not used to all the bugs and night noises. After that, his first question when we picked him up the following years was "When are we going camping."
S'mores and ice cream were his favorite foods.
If you are interested in hosting a young inner city child, may I suggest you contact the Fresh Air Fund or take a look at this link:
http://www.freshair.org/volunteertime.asp
You can take an inner city child into your home for a week the first year, and if that child returns again, I believe that you can have them stay at your home for as long as three weeks.
Our two kids really enjoyed the experience of lving with an inner city kid especially since we are in a very rural area.
It can be a great experience for not only the child, but your family as well. Your kids will learn that there are children that do not share the same values or have the opportunities that they have.
Give it a try.
How funny you should mention this we have been hosting kids from Fresh Air for two summers now, It is great to get them out of the city and enjoy some "country" life. Most are scared at first of the bugs, bats, etc, but soon they are chasing fireflys and catching toads!!!!