Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s an influencer thing

So dumb.

People have been camping since long before social media or even email.

Sure but (and I say this as someone who loves camping) in previous generations camping was mostly only something kids in scouts and families too poor to afford a hotel did. Look at old Calvin and Hobbes comics - it was a running joke that Calvin's dad dragged the family camping every year and everyone but him hated it.

When I was a kid camping as a family vacation was absolutely not something you'd brag about, whereas nowadays it seems like every single family is not only going camping, they're posting a flurry of "OMG look how hip and outdoorsy we are!" social media posts.

You know, you can enjoy something without denigrating people who don’t. You can decide something isn’t for you without shitting on those that enjoy it. I taught my kids this as toddlers.

I grew up camping. Long treks into the woods with everything we needed for 5 days. I liked it as a kid; the first time a camping trip coincided with a period (and mine were terrible) I was done.

But with all those fond memories I had to take my kids camping right? I was invited to join a group of families who camped often. I spent a week borrowing gear and hundreds of dollars buying the basics I couldn’t borrow. It nearly filled my car. Get there, see that the other families all have *trailers* they have so much stuff. Tents bigger than my first apartment. Full height queen size air mattresses. Folding chairs. Foldable sinks. And I realized this is not the pastime for me.

But you do you!

Anonymous wrote:Everyone should try it once. Not my thing but have fond memories of tents, sleeping bags, and cooking over campfires under a star-filled sky.

You forgot the handsy scoutmaster.

Anonymous wrote:I love kayaking and hiking but hate camping.

There are different versions of outdoorsy. Personally, I love indoor plumbing and a proper bed, but otherwise love being outside in nature.

Same. Wouldn't be opposed to camping every once in awhile. My kid had a school camping event once. But I wouldn't choose it as a vacation.

Kayak and hike all the time though

Anonymous wrote:It’s an influencer thing

So dumb.

People have been camping since long before social media or even email.

I grew up camping with my family, mostly in tents but later on we did get a pop up camper. It's a less expensive way to "vacation" and stay close to nature, that is the main reason my parents did it. I have good memories of it. Pre-kids, my spouse and I got into backpacking, which (to me) is the best way to see some of the most beautiful parts of the country, get some true peace and quiet. And I find it sort of medatative and the tiredness from hiking refreshing. But definitely understand why it's not everyone's thing!

Now we car camp with the kids. Think the s'mores and the fire are the highlight still, but also young kids just seem to thrive when they spend a bunch of time outside.

With infinite money time, I'd probably do more hut-to-hut hikes in europe where you can sleep in a bed and have a great meal (and wine) while walking through beautiful places each day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Camping is too much work. I would do it if someone else packed the car, set everything up, made all the food, cleaned and packed up. It’s not the nature that bothers me. It’s the work.

Minimalize. I just take a cooler with some stuff, and maybe a skillet and blanket/tarp.

Tents are too much hassle for real camping, unless one is base camping for a week or more while hunting or something. For a weekend or overnight camping trip, just sleep on a blanket or in the back of a truck.

Hahaha said like someone who isn't bringing toddlers along.

It's SO much work. And so much stuff. We've started cheating and booking mini-cabins in state parks just to make it a little easier and prevent getting rained out or kids getting uncomfortably cold.

Well that's just silly. Who in their right mind would bring toddlers camping??

People do it. Based on the stories I've heard, it results in disaster 95% of the time.

I would imagine so!

Kids 5-7 or older are usually ok for camping and allowing to roam, but toddler patrol would be a nightmare for the parents. Send those youngsters to grandpa/grandmas for the weekend.

I would never camp with kids who aren't fully potty trained.

Everyone should try it once. Not my thing but have fond memories of tents, sleeping bags, and cooking over campfires under a star-filled sky.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Camping is too much work. I would do it if someone else packed the car, set everything up, made all the food, cleaned and packed up. It’s not the nature that bothers me. It’s the work.

Minimalize. I just take a cooler with some stuff, and maybe a skillet and blanket/tarp.

Tents are too much hassle for real camping, unless one is base camping for a week or more while hunting or something. For a weekend or overnight camping trip, just sleep on a blanket or in the back of a truck.

Hahaha said like someone who isn't bringing toddlers along.

It's SO much work. And so much stuff. We've started cheating and booking mini-cabins in state parks just to make it a little easier and prevent getting rained out or kids getting uncomfortably cold.

Well that's just silly. Who in their right mind would bring toddlers camping??

People do it. Based on the stories I've heard, it results in disaster 95% of the time.

We started camping with our oldest when he was 1.5 years old, and our younger child was 4 months old on her first camping trip. In a tent. They are much older now. It’s never been a disaster and has resulted in many happy family memories. They still love camping and can now help pack the gear, set up the tent, start the fire, etc.

+1 camping is best for the young and young at heart