Camping, a source for freedom.

It's almost inevitable to talk about "freedom" when it comes to camping. (Google search will tell you that...) Perhaps that's why camping has become more and more popular since the 20th century. People get overwhelmed by the busy lifestyle and pressures more and more easily that a great "escape" is often needed. The word "freedom" also comes with relaxation, worry-free, which can be quite luxurious nowadays.

People camp to get away from their everyday lives and boring routines. But what are we freeing ourselves from exactly? School work, bills, annoying rules, or your boss? When really think about the notion, it seems like camping is less so about the physical containment (living the house versus living in the tent), but more about the freeing of mind.

It's just like a child setting up a safe-zone with only a bed sheet over the table -- everything in the little space is rule-free and worry-free, everything is allowed as long as you like.
The feeling of "going back to the basic" with minimal necessities is exactly why camping is so attractive (since when cherio is replaced by alcohol?). And the fact that everything in the nature is unpredictable makes every camping experience one of its kind.

I don't mean to overlook the tangible part of camping experience, after all, that's why all the camping products are out there for. However, coming after the idea of freedom and the seek for escapes from ordinary lives, the material becomes trivial or simply a statement for self-identity.

Donald's Vacation (Disney 1940)

Camping trip - Disney Classic Cartoon

Hakuna Matata!

what has acctually happened?

Something struck me when i was looking at pictures of motorhomes and caravans over the decades; not much has happened.

Here's a picture of a 1980 Ford motorhome

Here's a picture of a 1990 Ford motorhome.

And here's a picture of the brand new Knaus Skyway motorhome.

This is a 1970's Caravan

And this is a Caravan from 2010

How come it all looks so similar to what's been done before!?

sreenshots from "naked" (Doris Dörrie)

What is camping? Why do people camp?

Camping is such a broad topic to be talked about.
It is hard to focus on every aspect of camping since everyone (campers, non-campers) has his own definition on camping. What is the first image that pops up in your mind when it comes to camping? Are those stereotypes true?
Perhaps, instead of trying to find the ultimate future trends and solutions to current problems, one should dig back into the core questions -- What is camping? Why do people camp?

Despite the fact that cultural difference does play an important role in the activity, the psychology behind the activity also caught my attention. It is not hard to understand one's desire for a uncivilized living style after living in the a civilized society for a while. No more organized post boxes, parking spaces, and streets signs. However, the images of camping sites confuse me:

I would argue that in this particular type of camping, the intention has nothing to do with uncivilized nature or being away from the organized society. This says "I moved my apartment up in the mountain." The cottages and tents are perfectly in lined, and the camping sites are extremely organized. 

This type of camping is called social camping. Everyone walks out of their tents and socializes with others living next door. People seem to be more comfortable to social while in the nature as to in an urban setting. People tend to care more about personal space and privacy in an apartment. Everyone is more relaxed and off-guarded (why do we all seem on-guard in the city?) at a camping site. 

This picture is more like what jumps into my mind when I hear camping....

After all, what does one want to get out of the experience? what is it that we can't get from our own house that only the nature can satisfy? Perhaps for the social campers, the smell of grass is all they need, and a couple of new friends are bonus. Whereas for the wilderness campers, the complete privacy is what they seek for. It's just like any other behaviors, the desire (the need) defines the act.