GAME CHANGER: Glamorous camping = Glamping
While the phrase may not have been coined and contained in the Oxford Dictionary until 2016, people have “glamped” their way into the great outdoors for centuries.
Think “Arabian Nights.” Think “Swiss Family Robinson.” Think “Gilligan's Island.” Think the Grizzwalds.
Well ... maybe not the Grizzwalds, but definitely the creative creature comforts found on “Gilligan's Island.”
“People want to do the fun outdoor things minus the part of sleeping on the ground or being trapped in a tent with three kids,” laughed Gary Quigley, owner of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest.
As a word, it's the smashing together of glamorous and camping. As an experience, it's where the great outdoors meets high-end, luxurious, all-encompassing accommodations.Quigley said it's a whole new type of camper making their way to his Harrisville-based campground these days. Gone are the days of cramming mom, dad and a couple of youngsters into a tent that claims to sleep four comfortably, but can be pretty tight quarters when it rains.“They're not as bothered by the rain anymore,” Quigley said. “They don't get bored.”The popularity of camping has exploded in the past five years, according to the 2019 North American Camping Report sponsored by Kampgrounds of America (KOA). Data compiled by the system of privately held campgrounds found that about 7 million more households packed up and headed to the great outdoors between 2014 and 2018, with more than one million new households hitting the road in 2018 alone.
That same KOA report found that a segment of campers considers cell service or Wi-Fi important, even reporting they are able to camp an average of six additional days per year when they have adequate Wi-Fi access.“It's not as basic anymore,” said Todd Wehr, owner of Bear Run Campground in Portersville, about the changing face of 21st century camping. “It's rustic accommodations combined with more luxurious types of amenities.”Like most campground owners, Quigley and Wehr have seen first-hand the shift in camping experiences nationwide and work hard to ensure their campgrounds find the balance between the cutting edge of technology and the outdoor experiences families seek. In a day and age where nearly everyone is “plugged in,” Quigley said he is working to ensure his park stays current in terms of being able to offer campers such amenities as high-speed Internet, decked-out cabins complete with big-screen televisions for video gaming, and a revolving door of daily activities.Wehr, too, continues upgrading his services to accommodate the latest generation of campers. He pointed out that one trend he is seeing more of is a blend of retro campers that have been outfitted with modern amenities.Quigley and Wehr agree that more families are looking for an all-inclusive camping experience compared to “roughing it” in the woods. Children and teens want Wi-Fi and ever-changing activities, while parents are looking to be able to relax by the fire pit at the end of a fun-filled day. At camps like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park or Bear Run Campground, families get the best of both worlds.
Both campgrounds offer a mix of fully-equipped cabins, RV spots with water and electric and tent areas for those looking to rough it. Well, rough with hot showers, flushing toilets and campfire wood right down the road at the camp store.It's all about finding the right family glamping experience, and every campground offers a wide range of activities from which to choose. While Quigley offers paintball and trampolines, Wehr offers canoes and a fully-stocked trout pond.Wehr said that glamping as an adventure lifestyle was big in the United Kingdom and appears to be catching on more and more in the United States. Quigley agrees, adding that “it's a whole new group of people.”
