Outdoor exploration and travel is one of the most versatile ways to get active and see new parts of the world. State and national parks are not the only option for outdoor travel in the United States, as there are nearly 14,000 privately owned RV parks and campgrounds across the country. The work to play ratio of the American people needs to change, as studies show that in the average 80 year lifespan, people spend 13.2 years working and only 328 days socializing. This imbalance is as a result of a lack of vacation time for people in the workforce. Reports state that 28 million Americans do not get any paid vacation or paid holidays, which is very high in comparison to the paid time off in other countries.
There are many reasons why Americans aren’t taking time off, such as fear of being fired, heavy workload, or the financial cost of it. These reasons are only some of the many that lead experts to believe that it is time to reclaim outdoor travel. Spending just 20 minutes outdoors three days a week has the power to reduce stress, improve memory, boost cognitive function, and enhance overall well-being, among other benefits. Outdoor attractions are accessible, less susceptible to shutdown during the pandemic, and pet friendly. Camping specifically has grown greatly in popularity, with studies from 2020 showing that 86.1 million US households identify as campers.
Generation X and Millennials are the most likely to be lifelong or first-time campers, but there is an outdoor adventure for everyone out there. Tent camping, RVs and “glamping” getaways are all options for adventurers of all budgets and experience levels. With activities and attractions that the whole family will enjoy, camping and the great outdoors is something that everyone should have on their bucket list this summer.