Jayce F
Oct. 29, 2013
Which Outdoor Sport is Right for You?
Is backpacking really so different from camping? When my Uncle Tom came to visit from Wisconsin and asked my brother and me to go backpacking, I thought backpacking was very similar to camping. But, no! These two sports are very different. Before you pick one over the other, consider the similarities and differences in cost, staying time, and exercise when camping or backpacking.
In both camping and backpacking, you are out enjoying the wilderness and nature; you can have a campfire and make S’mores. Both of these sports are usually done in the summer. The cost of camping and backpacking is comparable, although backpacking is a little more expensive due to the more portable equipment you need to buy.
Before spending money on supplies for either of these sports, think about these points. When going camping, you drive to the campsite, and since you are in a vehicle, you can take more luxuries with you. Taking more things, and sometimes having access to a store of some kind, allows you to stay longer. When backpacking, how long you can stay is limited to the things you can carry.
Although camping is more popular in the U.S., with 14.9% of Americans camping in 2011 (“2012 American Camper Report”) compared to only 7.2% of Americans backpacking (“Hikers and Campers – Who are They?”), backpacking is a very fun and simple sport, and it is better for your body because you walk, hike, and get more exercise. Camping is great for families with small children who need to take more equipment, or for those who are unable to hike or walk for long distances.
Camping and backpacking are both alike and diverse. When Uncle Tom asked me to go with him that summer day, I did not realize that camping and backpacking differed and compared so much in cost, staying time, and exercise. If you have never experienced camping or backpacking, maybe someday you will.
Works Cited
“2012 American Camper Report.” October 2012. https://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/research.camping.2012.pdf
“Hikers and Backpackers – Who are They?” August 2012. https://www.pamallison.com/2012/08/18/hiking/
Oct. 29, 2013
Which Outdoor Sport is Right for You?
Is backpacking really so different from camping? When my Uncle Tom came to visit from Wisconsin and asked my brother and me to go backpacking, I thought backpacking was very similar to camping. But, no! These two sports are very different. Before you pick one over the other, consider the similarities and differences in cost, staying time, and exercise when camping or backpacking.
In both camping and backpacking, you are out enjoying the wilderness and nature; you can have a campfire and make S’mores. Both of these sports are usually done in the summer. The cost of camping and backpacking is comparable, although backpacking is a little more expensive due to the more portable equipment you need to buy.
Before spending money on supplies for either of these sports, think about these points. When going camping, you drive to the campsite, and since you are in a vehicle, you can take more luxuries with you. Taking more things, and sometimes having access to a store of some kind, allows you to stay longer. When backpacking, how long you can stay is limited to the things you can carry.
Although camping is more popular in the U.S., with 14.9% of Americans camping in 2011 (“2012 American Camper Report”) compared to only 7.2% of Americans backpacking (“Hikers and Campers – Who are They?”), backpacking is a very fun and simple sport, and it is better for your body because you walk, hike, and get more exercise. Camping is great for families with small children who need to take more equipment, or for those who are unable to hike or walk for long distances.
Camping and backpacking are both alike and diverse. When Uncle Tom asked me to go with him that summer day, I did not realize that camping and backpacking differed and compared so much in cost, staying time, and exercise. If you have never experienced camping or backpacking, maybe someday you will.
Works Cited
“2012 American Camper Report.” October 2012. https://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/research.camping.2012.pdf
“Hikers and Backpackers – Who are They?” August 2012. https://www.pamallison.com/2012/08/18/hiking/