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Camping

Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants (known as campers) leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite, which may have cabins. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, a primitive structure, or no shelter at all.

Camping as a recreational activity became popular in the early 20th century. Campers frequent national parks, other publicly owned natural areas, and privately owned campgrounds.

Camping is also used as a cheap form of accommodation for people attending large open air events such as sporting meetings and music festivals. Organizers often provide a field and other basic amenities.

Contents

Definition

"Car camping" is camping in a tent, but near the car.

Camping describes a range of activities. Survivalist campers set off with little more than their boots, whereas Recreational Vehicle travelers arrive equipped with their own electricity, heat, and patio furniture. Camping is often enjoyed in conjunction with activities, such as: hiking, whitewater kayaking, hill walking, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, motorcycling, swimming, and fishing. Camping may be combined with hiking either as backpacking or as a series of day hikes from a central location.

Some people vacation in permanent camps with cabins and other facilities (such as hunting camps or children's summer camps), but a stay at such a camp is usually not considered 'camping'. The term camping (or camping out) may also be applied to those who live outdoors, out of necessity (as in the case of the homeless), or for people waiting overnight in queues. It does not, however, apply to cultures whose technology does not include sophisticated dwellings. Camping may be referred to colloquially as roughing it.

Range of amenities

Tent trailer camping provides comfort in a towable package.

Campers span a broad range of age, ability and ruggedness, and campsites are designed in many ways as well. Many campgrounds have sites with facilities such as fire rings, barbecue grills, utilities, shared bathrooms and laundry, as well as close access to recreational facilities, but not all campsites have similar levels of development. Campsites can range from a patch of dirt, to a level, paved pad with sewer and electricity. For more information on facilities, see the campsite and RV park articles.

Today’s campers have a range of comforts available to them, whether their shelter is a tent or a Recreational Vehicle. Today, backcountry campers can pack-in comfortable mattresses, compact chairs, and solar powered satellite phones. Those choosing to camp closer to their car ("car camping") with a tent have access to portable hot water, tent interior lighting, and technological changes to camping gear. For those camping in Recreational Vehicles (RVs), options include air conditioning, bathrooms, kitchens, showers, and home theatre systems. In the United States, Canada and Europe, some campgrounds offer hookups where Recreational Vehicles are supplied with electricity, water, and sewer services.

Other vehicles used for camping include motorcycles, touring bicycles, boats, canoes, using pack animals, and even bush planes; although backpacking is a popular alternative.

Tent camping sites often cost less than campsites with full amenities, and most allow direct access by car. Some "walk-in" sites lie a short walk away from the nearest road, but do not require full backpacking equipment. Those who seek a rugged experience in the outdoors prefer to camp with only tents, or with no shelter at all ("under the stars").

Mobile camping

Campers with backpacks hiking through Bear Mountain State Park, New York, USA. The pilot camping beside his Luscombe aircraft at an air rally (the Great Vintage Flying Weekend 2008) held at Kemble Airport, Gloucestershire, England.

Backpacking is a mobile variety of tent camping. Backpackers use lightweight equipment that can be carried long distances on foot. They hike across land, cross rivers, and camp at remote locations, and often select campsites at will if resource protection rules allow. Backpacking equipment typically costs more than that for car camping, but still far less than a trailer or motor home, and backpacking campsites are generally cheap.

Canoe camping is similar to backpacking, but uses canoes for transportation; much more weight and bulk can be carried in a canoe or kayak than in a backpack. Canoe camping is common in North America.

One form of bicycle touring combines camping with cycling. The bicycle is used to carry the gear and as the primary means of transportation, allowing greater distances to be covered than backpacking.

Motorcycle camping is more comparable to bicycle camping than car camping due to the limited storage capacity of the motorbike. Motorcycle camping riders, as well as bicycle touring riders, often use some of the same equipment as backpackers because of the lighter weights and compact dimensions associated with backpacking equipment.

Specialized camping

Survivalist campers learn the skills needed to survive in any out-door situation. This activity may require skills in obtaining food from the wild, emergency medical treatments, orienteering, and pioneering.

"Winter camping" refers to the experience of camping outside during the winter - often when there is snow on the ground. Campers and outdoorspeople have adapted their forms of camping and survival to suit extremely cold nights and limited mobility or evacuation. Methods of survival when winter camping includes: building snow shelters such as quinzhees, igloos, or snow caves, dressing in "layers," staying dry, using low-temperature sleeping bags, and fueling the body with appropriate food.

Workcamping allows campers to trade their labor for a free campsite, and sometimes even for utilities and additional pay. Workcamping is usually seasonal, from May to October, although in warm weather countries or states such as Florida and Arizona they can be year round.[1] Work campers are mainly individuals or couples who come into a recreational facility with their own RV and offer their labor in maintain that particular facility. In exchange they can camp for free and sometimes they might receive wages.

Adventure camping is a form of camping by people who race (possibly adventure racing or mountain biking) during the day, and camp in a minimalist way at night. They might use the basic items of camping equipment such as a micro-camping stove, sleeping bag, and Bivouac bag.

Camping is a key part of the program of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting. It is used to teach self-reliance and team work.

Boutique Camping is found at music festivals in the UK. Also called glamping, posh camping or comfy camping. It allows people to escape the hassles of finding camp space, carrying their tents, and erecting and taking down nylon tents. Companies deliver accommodation units to the festival, as well as build and breakdown the units for their guests. Various companies with various products exist. These products include: tents, bell tents, podpads, yurts, and tipis.

Sail Camping is a form of camping while sailing or boating. Sailers will visit islands and campgrounds along the shorelines, dock their boats, and set up camp. This form of sail camping gives a variety activities to the boater they may want a break from being on the water.

Beach camping is increasing in popularity in countries with open sea. The main advantage of this type of camping is that the campers do not need to carry around lots of necessary equipment. In this case, the equipment consists of a decent tent, cookware and camping stove. Beach camping is also growing in popularity because it offers a genuine camping experience without having to hike many miles and because of the recreation opportunities available by being located next to a beach.[2]

Lake camping usually refers to the activity which involves driving a car to a campsite, near to a lake. This is normally a great choice for people who enjoy camping but do not have too much time available to do it. Lake camping is done during the weekend, as a quick vacation. Although it does not involve hiking, it is still called camping because the campers are sleeping in a tent at the site. Moreover, this is one of the most comfortable types of camping given the fact that the sites are typically regulated and there are bathroom and shower facilities available.

Camping equipment

VW Car camping equipment, Australia, 1969 Dome tent, UK, 2005

The equipment used in camping varies with the particular type of camping. For instance, in survival camping the equipment consists in small items which have the purpose of helping out the camper in providing food, heat and safety. The equipment used in this type of camping must be lightweight and it is restricted at only the mandatory items. Another types of camping such as winter camping involve having specially designed equipment in terms of tents or clothing which is strong enough to protect the camper's body from the wind and cold.

Survival camping involves certain items that campers are recommended to have with them in case something goes wrong and they need to be rescued. A survival kit includes mandatory items but which are small and must fit in one's pocket or could be carried on one's person. This kit is useless in these circumstances if it is kept in the backpack. Such a kit should include a small metal container which can be used to heat water over a campfire, a small length of duct tape which is small and which can prove useful in many situations and an emergency space blanket. These blankets are specially designed to occupy least space and are perfect for making emergency shelters, keeping the camper warm. Also because of the aluminum-like color this blanket is also reflective which means it can be easily seen from an aircraft. Candle stubs are good in starting a fire as well as in warming an enclosed space. One or two band-aids are mandatory in this type of camping. Any camper, and not only the survival ones need waterproof matches and a large safety pin or fish hook which can be used in fishing. Baking soda is good in rehydrating a dehydrated camper and at the same time, if it is mixed into a paste it helps hastening the cure of mosquito bites. Rubber gloves, antiseptic wipes, tinfoil, jackknife, or halazone tablets (which purify the water) are also to be included into a survival kit. Although these seem too many items to be carried on one person, they are in fact small, lightweight and definitely useful.

Winter camping can be dangerous without respecting the basic rules when it comes to this particular activity. Firstly, the cold is fought against with clothing of three types of layers as following: a liner layer against the camper's skin (longjohns), an insulation layer (fleece), and a water- and wind-proof outer shell.[3] Although cotton is one of the best quality fabrics there is, it is not recommended to be worn on winter camping because if it gets wet it dries out very slowly and the wearer could freeze. Rather than cotton, winter campers should wear wool or synthetic materials. The boots must be waterproof and the head must be protected against the cold given that more than half of the body's heat can be lost through this part of the body. Although it seems a good choice, campers are advised not to wear too many pairs of socks as they might restrict the blood flow to the feet resulting in cold feet. Gaiters should also be worn to avoid snow and rain wetting the boots. Secondly, one should include carbohydrates into their diet to keep their body warm as well as to provide energy. Hydration is very important so winter campers should drink plenty of water to keep themselves well hydrated. Thirdly, the tent must be carefully chosen to shelter from the wind.

Camping equipment includes:

Much of the remaining needed camping equipment is commonly available in the home, including: dishes, pots and pans; however, many people opt not to use their home items, but instead utilize equipment better tailored for camping. These amenities include heavy plastic tableware and salt and pepper shakers with tops that close in order to shelter the shakers from rain. Backpackers use lightweight and portable equipment.[4]

Social camping

Camping in Amsterdam

Many campers enjoy socializing with small groups of fellow campers. Such groups will arrange events throughout the year to allow members with similar interests or from similar geographical areas in order to collaborate. This allows families to form small close knit societies, and children to form lasting friendships. In states such as Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, and Colorado, children, under the age of 18, do not need adult supervision in order to enjoy nature, as long as the camp is in designated recreational or camp areas. However, in some states such as Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Georgia, many people cannot camp until the age of 21 without a proper camping permit.[clarification needed] There are two large organizations in the UK who facilitate this sort of camping: the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club.

In more recent years, those who camp alone have been able to share their experiences with other campers, through blogs and online social networking.

Some who participate in this sort of camping feels that it brings a closer form of bonding, as members become more mutually dependant, than they would otherwise be in modern society.[5] Social camping can also bring more closure between members of the same family and between different families. It is common for many campers to organize this type of activities with their friends or neighbors.

Because of the bonding this type of camping promotes, it can also be used as a personnel training facility. In fact, many companies offer their employees this type of training because it helps connect people who do not necessarily know each other but who need to work in the same environment and need to get along successfully. Including this type of activity in a personnel training package is becoming more and more popular and it is also recommended because of their benefits.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Camping

References

  1. ^ "What is Work Camping or "Workamping"?". http://www.work-camping.com/about%20workamping%20and%20work%20camping.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  2. ^ "Beach Camping Sites Information". http://www.campingfacts.com/beach.html. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  3. ^ "Winter Camping Tips". http://www.backpacking.net/wintertips.html. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  4. ^ Tent Camping Tips
  5. ^ "Social Camping". http://www.camping.gl/camping_equipment_social_camping.html#social. Retrieved 2010-05-27.

External links

Look up camp in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikibooks has a book on the topic of Backpack camping and woodland survival
v • d • Adventure travel
Types Accessible tourism • Adventure recreation • Adventure travel • Agritourism • Backpacking (travel) • Backpacking (wilderness) • Bicycle touring • Camping • Disaster tourism • Ecotourism • Extreme tourism • Flashpacking • Ghetto tourism • Hang Gliding • Hiking • Hitch-hiking • Jungle tourism • Mountain biking • Mountaineering • Naked hiking • Paragliding • Rafting • River trekking • Safaris • Sustainable tourism • Ultralight backpacking • Urban exploration • Volunteer travel
Miscellaneous Backpack • Bottled water • Campsite • Free Independent Traveler • Geocaching • Overlanding • Social photography • Zip-line

Categories: Camping | Procedural knowledge | Scoutcraft | Survival skills | Tourism

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