Celebrate By Experiencing Nature!
National Camping Month is an excellent time to pack up your gear and experience nature. Whether rafting down a river in a canoe and setting up camp in the evening, or hiking into the woods far from civilization with a backpack full of your gear, Camping Month celebrates them all.
While there was a time when ‘camping’ was just called ‘being alive’, that all changed in the 1800’s when a man named Thomas Hiram Holding began to popularize the idea of recreational camping. Camping was a part of his life introduced to him by the rigors of the Oregon Trail, and once he had settled it turned into a passion he pursued and introduced to others. Once camping in general had become popular, Thomas went on to introduce the idea of Cycle Camping to the American world. This is, quite simply, where you load up on a bike and ride until you find a spot to camp, get up the next day, and do it all over again.
Recent statistics from Camping Trade World reveals interest in camping remains high in 2021:
The number of households that own RVs grew by 2.6 million
More than 86 million U.S. households consider themselves campers
48 million of those households took at least one camping trip in 2020 – up more than 6 million over 2019
In 2020, wholesale sales of camping backpacks in the United States amounted to 706 million U.S. dollars, making it one of the top selling product category in the overall wholesale camping equipment market, alongside coolers & chests, and sleeping bags & air beds.
Around the country, there are a variety of campsites available. The more modern campsite include showers and recreational facilities. These often include water hookups and parking pads for RVs and campers and cabins to rent as well as more primitive sites with no electrical hookups designed for tent usage. Other parks only allow primitive camping and require everything you pack into the park to be packed out. So, seriously consider your needs if you are hiking into the park for your stay. These are not for glampers.
Important Things to Keep in Mind When Heading Out to the Trail
Make sure you have plenty of fresh water or a fresh water source
Take a first aid kit that’s stocked
Pack waterproof matches
Take non-perishable food such as granola bars, jerky, peanut butter, chocolate bars, and dried fruits, especially if you are not taking a cooler.
Pack fruits, vegetables, and meats separately and keep chilled in a cooler
Include sunblock, even for cloudy days
Rain gear, jackets, and blankets are necessary for cooler weather
How to Observe National Camping Month
Well this has got to be the easiest answer ever, GO CAMPING. Even if it’s just a pop-up tent and sleeping bag in your backyard under the stars, get out there and reconnect with the great outdoors. So, pile into your car, find yourself some secluded spot to set up a tent, and celebrate Camping Month by going camping!
