The Next Generation of Happy Campers

Is camping losing it's appeal for the younger generations? According to research carried out by energy company E.ON the answer to that is a resounding yes. In a world where gadgets and gizmo's seem to play an integral role in our day to day lives, it seems the youth of today aren't too keen to part with their mobile phones and television watching habits. In the study E.ON found that over a third (36%) of children wouldn't want to camp because of the lack of recharging facilities for their gadgets. There are products that can address this issue, Goal Zero's range of recharging products come to mind. The main reason behind the study is to gain research and apply it to create a 'tent of the future', with E.ON teaming up with the Scout Association. While development could be a long time in the making and a possibly hefty price making it out of reach for most of the mass market, it's still an intriguing idea. The tent would feature;

- Vertical wind turbines that catch the wind and convert it into power.
- Solar panels on the tent's surface that harness sunlight and turn it into electricity.
- Solar powered baseball caps with built in torches for bedtime reading and late night trips.
- A portable battery that campers can pre-charge and use to charge gadgets and devices whilst camping.
- An intelligent sleeping bag which regulates body temperature.

While developments to include our love and use of electrical gadgets and gizmo's in the camping environment can only be positive, does the overuse of them negate the purpose of getting away from the hubbub of urban life? Or is it something we should embrace as part of modern life and therefore as part of our camping experience? Sure it's nice to have your mobile phone with you for communication or your iPod so you don't go without your favourite tunes, but would we really be that lost if we didn't have them. The idea of not being bombarded with technology really does seem quite appealing. A third of adults in the study said the reason they camp is to get away from the pressures of modern life, but it seems as though convincing some of the younger generations that they don't need a TV or their iPhone to enjoy pitching up their tent may be some way off at the moment.

Like all studies however, most findings and statistics can be taken with a pinch of salt on occasion. I know of plenty of younger families where the children absolutely love embarking on an outdoor adventure, whether that be the excitement of sleeping under the stars or taking their first few steps in the Lakes, the joy of camping isn't lost on all!

It's obviously not the only reason to go camping, but it certainly can be a factor, in times of economic difficulty camping can be a cheaper option for a holiday rather than jetting off abroad. In the study E.ON found the top five reasons for going on a camping break were;

1. Cheap way to have a holiday (54%)
2. Enjoy being outdoors (50%)
3. Enjoy simply pleasures (40%)
4. Get away from the pressures of modern life (31%)
5. Brings the family together (26%)

Economic factors appear to be rather prevalent, but factors 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate why camping has been a much loved pastime in the U.K. for so long.