Camping For A Modern Age
May 4, 2011
By Chris Agrusa
I can hear birds chirping off into the distance as I breathe in the overpowering smell of pine while sitting at the picnic table underneath the stars. I inhale a sigh of relief that I am far from civilization and can now immerse myself into the tranquility of the wilderness. Camping gives me the pleasure of being in the vast outdoors and the peacefulness of slipping away from the pressures of everyday life.
However, with new up-to-date choices in housing and campgrounds, camping has become a mainstay for all vacationers. Camping can be a pleasurable experience for all ages with a variety of choices for housing and camping retreats.
Modern day camp housing has come a long way from earlier years and can give tourists a boundless camping hideaway. I can still look back as my dad slowly cranked up the pop-up camper while we kids anticipated a refreshing dive into the nearest lake.
Those were the days that have paved the way for many generations to come to understand the pleasurable experiences of camping.
In this day and time, a person can still purchase the faithful pop-up camper, but today’s camp housing has become far more sophisticated than in earlier years. From motor homes that come complete with washer and dyers and king sized beds to tents that hold up to fifteen people, the societies of yesteryear would be overwhelmed to be lodging in.
Today, RVs range from the basic pop-up system to the fifty foot pull behind known to most as a home on wheels. According to Philippon (2000), nearly ten million recreational vehicles, or RVs, were on the road in the late 1990s, forcing national parks to build more water, sewer, and power lines.
Today, RVs offer all the luxuries of home, yet for some do not identify the true tradition of camping. Furthermore, some camping lovers may prefer a straightforward tent over the sophisticated RV.
Today’s choices in tents give consumers many assortments and styles to choose from. My first experience with a tent was a pretty enjoyable one that I will not soon forget. Fumbling with the poles and stakes until I had constructed what I thought would be a decent night’s shelter proved to be a test.
It was not until I lay within it, satisfied with my assembly that it slowly started to fall upon me. These days a person can reasonably put a tent up in minutes and without the worry of a destructible breakdown in the wee hours of the night.
Modern day tents also provide fast configuration, additional capacity and contemporary styles to satisfy even the fussiest vacationers. According to Egbert (1991), if one is prepared, a camping trip can turn out to be just the cathartic recharge a vacationer’s frazzled psyche has been screaming for.
Nonetheless, locating a suitable campground can pose a challenge. However, with so many choices in campgrounds, a tranquil park won’t be too far along the way. Looking back, I still ponder at the thought of my dad driving around in the multicolored station wagon with his head stuck out the window looking for the best campsite.
Campgrounds have more to offer when it comes to amenities and the styles and types available. From public campgrounds with showers, playgrounds and convenient stores, to state forest campgrounds complete with outhouses and a lake access.
Depending on how aggressive a person wants to enjoy their camping experience, modern day campgrounds can be suitable for everyone’s tastes. Remember, this is the site where we will spend the next few days soaking in the tranquility and taking in all the beauty of the surroundings, so being prepared is vital in guaranteeing a satisfying trip.
Local camping outlets and stores such as Wal-Mart stock most every camping necessity to provide a most enjoyable outing. For instance, portable showers, battery operated coffee pots, and even advanced bug spray can make a camping experience a lot less complicated.
Organization is the key when it comes to camping because one little forgotten item could make a few days trip turn into a nightmare. Furthermore, no matter how a person goes about setting up for the ultimate tranquil retreat, camping is the place to do it and can be an inexpensive way to slip away from the burdens of life.
Camping has been the mainstay of generations bringing family and friends together in more ways than one and affords a peaceful retreat to be appreciated by all. Cozying up to a crackling fire toasting marshmallows or fishing at the nearest lake or stream can deliver a relaxing escape into the wilderness for all ages.
Camping is still a truly pleasant experience and I will frequently enjoy its tranquility for many years to come. Kropp (2009) believes that camping entails not only seeing nature, which one might do from a window, but putting one’s body in its midst.
No matter what a camping lover’s preferences are, camping will always be there like the closest of friends and provide the private sanctuary we all have come to enjoy for many years to come.
References:
Egbert, B. (1991, August). Breaking out of the plastic bubble.
Total Health, 13 (3), 27. Retrieved from Academic One File.
Kropp, P. (2009, Fall). Wilderness wives and dishwashing husbands: Comfort and the domestic arts of camping in America, 1880-1910.
Journal of Social History, 43(1), 5-31. Retrieved from Academic OneFile.
Philippon, D. (2000). Camping. In S. Pendergast & T. Pendergast (Eds.) St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, (Vol. 1), 417-418. Detroit: St. James Press Retrieved from Gale Virtual Reference Library.
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2 Responses to “Camping For A Modern Age”
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I couldn’t agree with you more in regards to how important organisation is when it comes to camping. Like you said, forgetting one thing (the tent pegs, for example) could be a disaster. (I speak from first hand experience too, having forgot several important tent parts every now and again over the years).
Jamie
Yes, organization and cooperation is important. During any family camping trip, the adults need to help each other out, not bicker and fight about whose fault it was that the tent poles were forgot, (personal camping experience of mine).
I like to be comfortable now so I would opt for an elevated airbed in my tent with enough room for my stuff these days.
Karen G.