Most people I know who don't like camping (in the UK) either haven't done it (and just hate the idea) or they had one bad experience and said 'never again'. We love it and go every year. The kids love being outside and I just like getting to simplify my life down to the basics for a week. Always nice to come home again though :)
While there is a part of me that selfishly wants others to dislike camping (and keep it to myself), I appreciate your reflections in this piece. A person's first impression of an activity can color the way that they view it for positive or negative.
In my home state of Washington (US), a LOT of people like to camp. So many, in fact, that popular campgrounds and backpacking permits are snapped up months in advance, and even have lottery systems in place.
We do have a big camping culture in the UK, but it seems to be such a contrast in opinions, one extreme or the other. You either love it or hate it.
Wild camping is also illegal here, so there's only a small community of people who do that. Which I think affects people's first experience. Imagine if they could get up the mountains or camp on the beach for their first camp.
I love it. I agree, part of me wants it to stay this little community forever, but I also think it's such a shame people actually hate it, and don't spend much time outside other than on a sun lounger in Spain a couple of weeks a year.
Most people I know who don't like camping (in the UK) either haven't done it (and just hate the idea) or they had one bad experience and said 'never again'. We love it and go every year. The kids love being outside and I just like getting to simplify my life down to the basics for a week. Always nice to come home again though :)
While there is a part of me that selfishly wants others to dislike camping (and keep it to myself), I appreciate your reflections in this piece. A person's first impression of an activity can color the way that they view it for positive or negative.
In my home state of Washington (US), a LOT of people like to camp. So many, in fact, that popular campgrounds and backpacking permits are snapped up months in advance, and even have lottery systems in place.
Thanks for your comment.
We do have a big camping culture in the UK, but it seems to be such a contrast in opinions, one extreme or the other. You either love it or hate it.
Wild camping is also illegal here, so there's only a small community of people who do that. Which I think affects people's first experience. Imagine if they could get up the mountains or camp on the beach for their first camp.
I love it. I agree, part of me wants it to stay this little community forever, but I also think it's such a shame people actually hate it, and don't spend much time outside other than on a sun lounger in Spain a couple of weeks a year.