Verified Document

Camping, As A Recreational Activity, Is Considered Term Paper

Camping, as a recreational activity, is considered to be a tremendously rewarding experience primarily because it allows people to commune with nature (Millers). While Miller's observation, no doubt, has a great deal of validity, the fact is that camping also results in a host of other benefits such as the development of planning ability, survival skills, endurance, self-sufficiency, responsibility, and a chance to prove one's mettle (Shivers & Shivers, p. 286-7). Thus, it can be said that camping provides educational, social, and recreational experiences that are vital to the growth and development of the human personality (Shivers & Shivers, p. 2). Of course, the degree to which a camping experience results in developing an individual's knowledge of nature or the skills described earlier depends on the type of camp or camping activity. For instance, some camps are so well organized that they offer virtually all the conveniences of modern living. In fact, such camps often resemble a huge playground (Mason & Mitchell, p. 392-393). At the other end of the spectrum, some campers choose to go totally rustic and simply live off the land, which means that they are traveling without any supplies and making do with whatever they can find or devise. Campers can also pack-in or backpack their way across a pre-planned terrain (Shivers & Shivers, p. 1).

Irrespective of the type of camping activity, however, camping is defined as living in or as close to nature as possible (Shivers & Shivers, p. 1). Indeed, this is precisely why camping is often described as a way of communing with nature. Interestingly, campers report varying benefits from living in the wilderness. Nature lovers, for example, are said to literally go into raptures as they describe a night spent along the banks of the...

Some city dwellers, on the other hand, describe camping as a welcome escape from the daily grind, noise, and pollution of the city (Mason & Mitchell, p. 395). Then, of course, there are those who perceive educational value in camping in as much as it teaches them to appreciate, use, and preserve natural resources (Shivers & Shivers, p. 2). Thus, the camping or rather the nature experience can result in multiple benefits, with a great deal depending on the eye of the beholder.
However, the camping experience can well turn out to be a nightmare if it is undertaken without a great deal of thought, planning, and preparation. This is particularly true of solo or independent camping trips. For, as Koch & Koch point out, the outdoors can prove to be tough on the uninitiated. On the other hand, the same great outdoors can offer the camper a rare sense of accomplishment derived from the knowledge that one's organizational, survival, and endurance skills have been tested and proven (Millers).

A camper's organizational and survival skills are particularly put to the test while on the trail or during nights that are spent away from the comforts of a main camp. Experienced campers advise that sound planning, adequate preparation, and even dry runs to acquire basic camping skills should precede such trips. A key part of such pre-planning involves the choice of equipment, which must be done with the objective of achieving a compact but fully equipped rig. Indeed, it is critical that a camper has comfortable clothing, sleeping gear, foul-weather protection, and other basic tools. At the same time, packs must be kept as light as possible while still providing whatever supplies are necessary for…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Koch, C., & Koch, R.G. "Tent Away from Home: Mother's Guide to Hiking and Camping." Mother Earth News. Vol. 134, October-November 1992, p. 32+. Accessed Nov. 30, 2004: www.questia.com

Mason, B.S., & Mitchell, E.D. "The Theory of Play." New York A.S. Barnes and Company, 1934.

Miller, J. "Get out and go ... backpacking." Newsobserver.com October 24, 2003.

Accessed Nov. 30, 2004: http://www.triangle.com/outdoors/getout/story/950592p-6832468c.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Lincoln Park Zoo Grade Course Recreational Activities
Words: 3531 Length: 12 Document Type: Essay

Lincoln Park Zoo Grade Course Recreational activities can be termed as a necessity for every individual despite his age, social status or society. A man with a 9 to 5 job would certainly prefer a vacation or a short weekend road trip. A housewife who is busy taking care of her children and dealing with the household chores all day long would long for a change. Similarly, children attending schools, tuitions and

Recreation: Disabilities People With Disabilities
Words: 2183 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

In order for me to develop as a recreation and leisure professional to the point where I can conduct successful programming for people with disabilities, I will need to use my strengths and overcome my weaknesses, in order to better understand how diversity in ability can impact programming. The greatest personal weakness I would anticipate in conducting programming for people with disabilities is simply a lack of knowledge. According to

Recreation and Leisure Wilderness Camping
Words: 1177 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

These reflect light and can be a signal to search and rescue teams in the event of an emergency. Campers should also carry a map of the trail and understand the route they will take around the lake before they leave for their trip. One thing many campers forget is the altitude around Lake Tahoe. The lake itself is about 6.000 feet up, and the Rim Trail even higher.

Rock Climbing Has Become a Popular Sport
Words: 535 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Rock climbing has become a popular sport and recreation activity over the last few decades. Although danger might be part of the appeal of rock climbing, many feel that the real lure is the mental and physical requirements of the sport (Schneider Pp). Wade Polglase, who confesses to having tried almost every kind of sport, from organized group sports to mountain biking, says that rock climbing was the first one that

Summer Camps and Programs in the Development
Words: 3360 Length: 12 Document Type: Term Paper

Summer Camps and Programs in the Development of Children The purpose of this paper is to represent to the reader the importance of organized summer camps and programs in youth development. A special emphasis throughout the paper is placed on the influence of recreation on child development and personal growth. By defining the effect of the summer camp experience and presenting relevant statistics from reputable opinion leaders, this paper will reveal

Harley Feasibility Study -- Harley Davidson 1957
Words: 1184 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Harley Feasibility Study -- Harley Davidson 1957 Harley Davidson Harley Davidson Company has a long history of building motorcycles that have worked to actually shape culture. Its product positioning is admired by companies in most industry and most strive to develop the levels of brand loyalty that Harley has achieved. However, the company has also been negatively impacted by the recent economic downturn and is working through a rebuilding phase as market conditions

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now