Millennials love the outdoors and this has led to a sudden surge in camping. Touted as “driving the growth of camping in America” according to the North American Camping report, millennials (born between 1980-2000), are getting back to nature in record numbers.
With 13 million American households headed to the nation’s campgrounds this summer (that’s up by over a million new campers in the last four years alone), it is no wonder the camping industry is thriving. Statistics gathered by the Camping and RV industry estimate that campers spend nearly $6 billion a year on campsites and another $2.5 billion a year on equipment. So what’s the driving force behind the surge in camping interest?
Millennials Want to Feel Free
Escape, that’s what millennials are after — an escape from the demands of the real world. These are people who watched their parents work 60-80 workweeks, send their kids to daycare and never really enjoy life. These 20 and 30 year-olds have seen the pitfalls of a life with no fun and believe strongly that taking time for themselves can only make them more productive and happier.
Breaking their ties from work and the demands of home, these people use camping as a way to escape the daily grind. But don’t worry, they don’t go off alone. This group of campers has a real tribe mentality, often seen in larger groups of friends and families during these outdoor outings.
Millennials Crave Family Time
Unlike their parents (or even today’s teens), Generation Y understands the importance of building strong ties with family and friends. According to the KOA report, 81 percent of campers in this age range cite spending time with family and friends as their top reason for camping. They tend to gather in groups of ten or more for their outings, according to statistics and enjoy a range of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and relaxing.
Millennials Want Green Fun
A group that gauges many of their life choices on their carbon footprint, millennials find camping to be a fun, relaxing and green activity they can enjoy. Whether they use a tent or RV doesn’t matter, camping can be one of the “greenest” activities around, say industry sources. NTK Global strives to make the very best camping gear with minimal impact on nature with the best performance and reliability for a fair price.
Millennials Live Healthier
If there is one generation that understands the importance of taking care of your body, it is the millennials. Striving to live healthier and longer, this generation puts great emphasis on physical activity, so it makes sense that they love the multitude of options camping offers. With 70 percent of millennials believing that they are in excellent physical shape, camping offers a fun way to get moving. Spending time outdoors offers the emotional and physical balance this group craves. According to the reports, millennials who camp regularly cite the following health benefits offered by the activity:
- Reduced stress (45 percent)
- Contributing to their emotional well-being (41 percent)
- Overall health improvement (38 percent)
- Leading a healthier lifestyle (37 percent)
Camping is becoming the popular activity of choice amongst millennials. While the reasons for this upsurge include everything from cost to their health, the fact remains that the camping industry finds itself catering more and more to Generation Y as these 20 and 30 year-olds discover the great outdoors in record numbers.
To learn more about NTK Global’s camping gear or to make a purchase, check out our website today.