Life feeling a little…mundane lately? We’ve all been there. You wake up, rush out the door to sit in traffic, work all day, rush home to make dinner, help the kids with homework, go to bed just to do it all over again the next day. You’re yearning for an adventure. “Hmm…camping sounds fun, but what is this new glamping I’ve been hearing about?”, you think to yourself. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll go over all the ins and outs of camping vs. glamping, what glamping even really means and what is the best option for your family.
First, let’s go over the basics of camping. When you hear the word camping, that quintessential image of cooking smores, sitting around the campfire outside your tent and singing kumbaya probably comes to mind. And that’s a fair representation of what actually takes place. (Okay, maybe you don’t sing kumbaya – but you’re probably singing something). But, honestly that’s a pretty fair assumption of what the basics of camping are. You’re one with nature, you sleep in a tent under the stars, you probably will go a day or two without bathing….and that’s the fun of it! Isn’t the whole idea of camping to break up the daily routine?
Camping – the activity of spending a vacation living in a camp, tent, or camper.
But, before you pile the family and the dog into the car to pitch your tent in the middle of nowhere, make sure you’re properly prepared. You’ll need the proper necessities to ensure this experience is not only fun – but also comfortable. If you don’t already have the basic camping items collecting dust in your garage, you will need to plan for the extra expense of purchasing them. There’s nothing worse than getting all the way to your destination, only to realize you forgot the air mattress. Make a list and check it twice (as they say) as you load up the car. REI offers a family-geared camping checklist to help you avoid the dreaded statement of “Oh no, I forgot to grab the ______” – especially if you plan on more remote-style camping with no Wal-Mart or market within 30 miles.
Camping provides you with the opportunity to reconnect with your family. You can ditch the wifi signal for an off-grid experience. Instead of screen time, you’ll have nature time. You might have to forego the comforts of home, but you’ll be gaining so much more peace. You’ll awaken to the cool crisp morning dew, you’ll hear chirping birds in the trees above, you’ll be surrounded by fresh air and your nightlight will be the orange glow of your campfire. Sounds magical, right? Well….maybe for some.
(For more on fun camping activities to do with the kids, click here.)
Others may have read the above and immediately thought “Camping? No thank you!” And that’s completely understandable. Sleeping near the dirt and being away from the comforts of home does not appeal to everyone. And this is where glamping comes into the picture.
Glamping (a fusion of “glamorous camping”), is a fairly new term. However, it’s quickly gained a lot of traction in the outdoor recreation world and become the new experience for those looking to break up the daily grind but aren’t looking to forego the basic amenities. Glamping allows you to enjoy the outdoors without having to sacrifice comfort. Glamping can come in a variation of looks and sizes, from a dude ranch in the middle of Montana, to a tiny house on the cliffs of Big Sur, CA.
Glamping – describes a style of camping with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services not usually associated with “traditional” camping.
You’ll find unique glamping experiences all over the world, offering families an alternative to camping and those not-so friendly roadside motels.
Oftentimes with glamping, resort-style activities are included or optional with your stay. This could be anything from horseback riding on the beach, to ATV riding in the mountains. Whereas with camping, you’re pretty much on your own to create your own activities and schedule, depending on where you stay.
Also, glamping typically provides you with on-call staff and housekeeping. Who doesn’t like coming back to clean sheets and towels after a day spent out in nature? If there isn’t on-call staff available, there is usually someone close by who manages the property that is able to assist with any issues or questions you may have during your stay.
(To find local glamping destinations, HipCamp offers a neat search tool to provide you with all the locations near you)
Now, you may be scratching your head and thinking, “why would anyone want to camp traditionally now that glamping is an option?!” But along with any situation, there are cons to glamping. For one, glamping will almost always cost more than traditional camping. And depending on which type of glamping experience you settle on, you may have to pay a deposit or resort fee. This can add up quickly. Additionally, you typically aren’t in a completely remote area, so you have to think about the close proximity of potential glamper neighbors. Also, any professionally managed resort-style glamping attraction will commonly have a set list of rules to abide by. This may include quiet hours, driving restrictions or no personal campfires.
So, now is the time to make the decision of what is best for your family. Are you looking for a more rustic traditional camping experience or do you prefer a nature meets modern luxury experience? Whatever your decision may be, the important part is to just get out there! Break free from the daily grind and breathe in that fresh air!
As John Muir once said “The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark”.
HARRINGTON TRAVELS 