Will the economy cause an increase in family camping?

[CajunCamper]

When my wife and I were first married, the nations economy was in pretty good shape even though our personal economy wasn't. In other words, we were broke, or as my dad used to say, "we didn't have a pot to (you know what in) or a window to through it out of."

It was during those lean years that I introduced my wife to tent camping and she fell in love with it. As our income increased, we continued to go camping, now almost 23 years after her first camping trip, we still enjoy camping.

However, we have known many that chose to go camping during their lean years as an affordable way to take the family on a vacation or short weekend getaway as we did. Unlike us, as their income increased, they moved away from camping alltogether in exchange for family cruises, snow skiing trips and condo rentals at the beach and haven't gone camping in 20 years or so.

I have to wonder if some of these folks now that they are faced with tough economic times and the loss of value of their investments and so forth, if they will choose family camping again as a way of getting away for a few days like they did in the past.

I personally know one couple that told me the other day that if they were going to have a vacation this summer that they were going to have to dust off the old camping gear to do so.

Anyway, just a curious thought.

CajunCamper

[flyfisherman]

This economic downturn is not of something recent ... it has been coming on for sometime now. At first it was some good paying working class jobs but then it began climbing up the social class to where white collar jobs suddenly began to disappear. We have some ritzy coastal vacation places close by that were always booked-up for the summer months. Now they are scratching around for someone to rent them. When this all started to unfold I noted an increase in campground attendance. There were places I could go just about anytime, except maybe major holidays like Memorial Day or the 4th, and there would always be sites available. Not so anymore. If you don't have reservations you had better plan on getting to a campground before the weekend, say like on a Thursday, because by Friday all sites will be filled. And there were many places I could always slip off into the national forests where you could find a remote spot in a non campground area where rustic camping was allowed but now even these "hide-away" spots are even taken.

This has always made sense to me ... why on earth would I pay $3,000.00 week for a cottage rental when I could head off to some special national and state campgrounds and stay for a pittance as compared to the private cottage rental? Yeah, so I have to use the community restrooms and showers, but I could stretch my hammock between two trees back at the campsite and enjoy an afternoon reading/nap as well as anywhere on the globe!

Me thinks there will be a lot more campground demand this coming season than ever before.



Fly

[wavery]

This economic downturn is not of something recent ... it has been coming on for sometime now. At first it was some good paying working class jobs but then it began climbing up the social class to where white collar jobs suddenly began to disappear. We have some ritzy coastal vacation places close by that were always booked-up for the summer months. Now they are scratching around for someone to rent them. When this all started to unfold I noted an increase in campground attendance. There were places I could go just about anytime, except maybe major holidays like Memorial Day or the 4th, and there would always be sites available. Not so anymore. If you don't have reservations you had better plan on getting to a campground before the weekend, say like on a Thursday, because by Friday all sites will be filled. And there were many places I could always slip off into the national forests where you could find a remote spot in a non campground area where rustic camping was allowed but now even these "hide-away" spots are even taken.

This has always made sense to me ... why on earth would I pay $3,000.00 week for a cottage rental when I could head off to some special national and state campgrounds and stay for a pittance as compared to the private cottage rental? Yeah, so I have to use the community restrooms and showers, but I could stretch my hammock between two trees back at the campsite and enjoy an afternoon reading/nap as well as anywhere on the globe!

Me thinks there will be a lot more campground demand this coming season than ever before.



Fly

Fly,

A lot of this CG demand is from senior citizens (and others) that have either sold or lost their homes and have taken to the road to travel the country.

Wayne

[sacrawf]

Will the economy cause an increase in family camping?

No.

Often someone's idea of a vacation involves getting away from the kids to an urban shopping destination, gambling, golfing, professional baseball games, days on the beach, seeking the nightlife, a cruise, or a motorcycle trip to Sturgis.  With this expectation of a vacation, camping with the family might seem less fun than just staying home.

Many children are busy with group sports, video games/computers, and friends. To many of these kids a family camping trip would seem like hell with bugs. (Has anybody noticed how many youth camps have closed and been sold?  Remember the movie RV?)

If a family doesn't already have camping supplies, buying everything at once is quite expensive even if tent camping.

Buying or renting an RV (and perhaps also a tow vehicle) is not in the cards for a family trying to cut costs. Not to mention that the camping fees have been increasing.

Conversely, there might be some real bargains to be found with motel rooms, flights, and amusement park tickets this summer.  

It is likely that some campgrounds will close. Already crowded campgrounds, especially those closer to urban areas and with swimming facilities, will be even harder for a family to find a site in.

Campgrounds, camp cooking, camping etiquette, and using campground shower houses, all seem intimidating to a family who has not been camping before.  It is unlikely that a lack of vacation cash will overcome that discomfort level.

[CajunCamper]

Will the economy cause an increase in family camping?

No.

Often someone's idea of a vacation involves getting away from the kids to an urban shopping destination, gambling, golfing, professional baseball games, days on the beach, seeking the nightlife, a cruise, or a motorcycle trip to Sturgis.  With this expectation of a vacation, camping with the family might seem less fun than just staying home.

Many children are busy with group sports, video games/computers, and friends. To many of these kids a family camping trip would seem like hell with bugs. (Has anybody noticed how many youth camps have closed and been sold?  Remember the movie RV?)

If a family doesn't already have camping supplies, buying everything at once is quite expensive even if tent camping.

Buying or renting an RV (and perhaps also a tow vehicle) is not in the cards for a family trying to cut costs. Not to mention that the camping fees have been increasing.

Conversely, there might be some real bargains to be found with motel rooms, flights, and amusement park tickets this summer.  

It is likely that some campgrounds will close. Already crowded campgrounds, especially those closer to urban areas and with swimming facilities, will be even harder for a family to find a site in.

Campgrounds, camp cooking, camping etiquette, and using campground shower houses, all seem intimidating to a family who has not been camping before.  It is unlikely that a lack of vacation cash will overcome that discomfort level.

sacrawf,

Go back and read my post you totally missed my point. I never mentioned anything about people that have never been camping suddenly getting the urge to go out and buy camping gear and hit the woods.

This is about those folks that used to camp coming back to camping.

CajunCamper

[sacrawf]

For previous campers instead of raw new family campers, my answer would change from NO to Probably not.

The kids are still probably not excited about leaving internet and air conditioning.  That old tent might have become home to some mice, the propane lantern globe broken on the garage shelf, and the sleeping bag zipper broken. Their friends may be counting on them to join in on the Harley ride to Branson.

As a cyclist, I enjoy putting miles on the bicycle and commuting to work by bicycle when I can.  Despite most people riding bicycles when they were young, I don't forsee many of them going back to bicycling and cutting down on their cars.  Likewise, I don't see but very few going back to tent camping for vacations just because the cash is low.


 

sacrawf,

Go back and read my post you totally missed my point. I never mentioned anything about people that have never been camping suddenly getting the urge to go out and buy camping gear and hit the woods.

This is about those folks that used to camp coming back to camping.

CajunCamper

[Hargus]

Another interesting post/observation Cajun.
I would think the same thing if I was limited to funds and familar with camping. I was resently at the local Camping & RV show in a suburb of the Boston area. (Actually they canceled the Camping & RV show always held in Boston and relocated a much smaller version outside of the city.) I was surprised that more sales people were not gearing people to the advantage of a cheaper vacation by camping. Although some were. There were not as many pop-up at the show.
I am going to suggest that type of a vacation to some people this season. But that's what I always do.

Speaking of camping. Cajun, your due for a trip North. Consider the PU Rally in PA in July. We'd love to have you.

Mike

[fshnfool76]

I know that last month my wife tried making reservations at a couple of local county CG's that we usually go to, for Mem. day weekend. All were fully booked already. Instead, we're going to a local state CG that we're not thrilled with but at least we'll be there with friends.
 Last year you could have pulled up to one of the county parks on a holiday weekend and gotten in.

[GeneF]

Interesting question and I am not sure which way it will go.

As for the Seniors, a lot of them were depending on the 401's and have lost a lot of their retirement income.  We have one gentlemen here who has been forced to do some part time engineering because of the loss on his investments.

As for younger people, they are probably going to be close to the chest on saving.  Latest I read was that people are tending to save more now than in past years.  A lot of fear out there.  I don't think many people are saying "No way will I lose my job."

Now camping may be inexpensive or relatively so in some of our state and national parks, but if creature comforts are wanted, camping in private cg's are not that cheap.  They have been going up.

Trying to find a private campground for under $30 isn't that easy.  Where I am now, a tent site is $45.

[jmaddox]

We've had this discussion many times, and I think you'll see a return to camping by many.  Sorry, sacrawf...we'll just have to disagree...

I've noticed more reservation being taken now than before on reserveamerica.com, etc.  I think that our hunger as a nation to "go on vacation" will lead many former campers back to camping.  Instead of going 500 miles across country, with three nights in a hotel, eat out everyday, etc., that families might still go that 500 miles....but they'll camp instead.

There are a couple of good things that can come from this economy and hopefully families camping together is one of them.

[cndlzrus]

I think we will find that the holiday weekends will be hard to get into, since most people are working as much as possible and not taking extra time off to play and miss work...  I know we don't camp on the holiday weekends.

We may see a trend of camping close to home and not making those big long trips. I know that we are planning a week of camping, just haven't decide where yet.  

But once people realize how affordable camping is, camping may become the "family vacation", I too can't see paying for a cabin, sleeping in a bed that someone else has slept in, not to mention the price of resturants... I love having my camper, with my own bed, my own cooking and being able to see all the parts of my State, to help support local economy.  

There are so many ways to save money while you are camping..  You just got to be creative. Creative in booking your reservation, staying at State Parks, National Forest, look for camping specials on their websites.  Don't shop before you go camping, take the food from your frig and cabinet with you.  Being frugal doesn't mean you have to be cheap.

[AZsix]

Well I can tell you that it will cause a decrease for this family. I just got laid off yesterday so there goes my vacation time for this summer. I will get the vacation pay in my last check but I'll be using that money to live on while I TRY to find another job. But hey, if worse comes to worse we may be living in our pup!

[avelvelobos]

:book:
Since early 90s my family has been going tent camping at least one week per yr. (on 4-th of July and/or Labor day weekends)
At least 10 days per year we used to spend traveling abroad (Europe, South/Central  America, cruises, Carribbean resorts etc.)
Needlsess to say, the budgetary issues related to lousy economy have put an end to that "luxury".
A few months back we'd ordered a popup to pick it up in May. Now I'm counting days and definately planning to camp more days...
Worst case scenario (G-d forbid either of us loose the job) - we're gonna loose that non-refundable downpayment.
Hope for the better though. After all, we had already lost everything we "had" when we'd emigrated to US back in 80-s and  started up with $90 each and minimal English. Despite all ups & downs where we stand now is a far cry from what we started off with 20 smthg years ago.
These kind of things really make us be more optimistic and ...philosophical.
Cheers to all

[Recumbentman]

Well this is just in from CNN  camping comes into vogue

[fshnfool76]

There was an article in the paper here about a week ago saying how reservations at SP's here have gone up 5-10% this year so far and County parks aren't too far behind.