Why Do You Camp?

[TimK]

This may be splitting hairs, but do you camp because it's a less-expensive way to go somewhere and stay while you do other things, or because the camping, itself, is the fun thing to do.

I could have added "Both" but that would have defeated the purpose of the poll, so if you would have answered "Both", please select the one you do most from the two choices.

[TimK]

I've been camping for so long I don't remember NOT camping? I enjoy the process of camping tremendously, and the fact that it allows me to go places and see and do things is a bonus. At the heart of it, I enjoy camping for camping's sake.

[brgmgb]

We camp so we have a place to stay while doing other things.  We camp at the State park so we can enjoy the lake, trails, etc.  We camped on vacation so we could afford to see Mammoth Cave, Mt. Rushmore, and Yellowstone.  We camp at the family reunion so we can avoid hotel costs.

We enjoy using the camper.  But the camper is a means to an end.

BTW - both the wife and DD#1 have said that they like sleeping in "their own bed" rather than at a hotel.

[TimK]

What a great reply. Thank you for being honest.

[Manper]

Mrs Manper here and I like to camp because I like to outdoors. Fresh mountain air, watching my boys explore and learn all about nature and bugs  hubby and the boys like to 4 wheel so I take tons of pictures of some amazing views and really cool stuff  It's also a way for us to have some great quality family time with out the interuption of television, phones, friends.

[z_randy]

We camp so we have a place to stay while doing other things.  We camp at the State park so we can enjoy the lake, trails, etc.  We camped on vacation so we could afford to see Mammoth Cave, Mt. Rushmore, and Yellowstone.  We camp at the family reunion so we can avoid hotel costs.

We enjoy using the camper.  But the camper is a means to an end.

BTW - both the wife and DD#1 have said that they like sleeping in "their own bed" rather than at a hotel.

Pretty much our reason for getting the camper.  To save some money, but I also love to go camping and my kids seem to love the camper too (they are 3 and 4 yrs old).  BTW is setting up the camper in the backyard and sleeping in it on the weekends officially considered camping?  They ask me every weekend now to do that since we got the camper.

[slanted]

We go to get out of Dodge! Usually we dont stray too far from the site once we are there.

[xeriminox]

We camp to get away from the norm. We enjoy the quiet campground lifestyle.

[jspilaf]

I love camping, being outdoors, seeing new places, exploring, but most of all I like being with my family.  We can do that at home, camping takes away the things that distract us from just being together.  We cook, hike, fish, talk...
I soak it all in and enjoy that time together.

[TimK]

"...camping takes away the things that distract us from just being together."


Yeah.

[CampingFamily1]

All of the above reasons plus...

To spend time in the sun!

[bols2Dawall]

mmmmmm BEER 

[Between Trips]

Wildlife, scenery, camping with DW's extended family, R&R, get's us out of the house.

[lnorman]

I don't think I understand the question well enough to answer.  Why do I go back home?  Now there's a question I can answer! To make more money so I can afford to camp.

Actually I think I do get the idea of the poll.  We camp to camp.  I appreciate that it's not as expensive as other vacations might be, but saving $$$ is a secondary benefit.  This is why I still go to my favorite places like Killbear despite ridiculous OPP prices.  I camp largely to give my kids some of the same experiences I had as a kid, we camped all the time and it was easily the best part of my childhood. 

[sacrawf]

We camp primarily for the activites that camping takes us closer to, including bicycling (racing and centuries), hiking, shooting, fishing, antiquing, visiting historical areas and museums, going to festivals, geocaching, visiting gardens and unique greenhouses and nurseries, golfing, great restaurants, swimming, local theater productions, and scenic drives.

Drinking morning coffee and watching the fog drift over a lake while setting under the camper awning and watching the flames of the campfire burn down at midnight are the perfect bookends to an active day.