WASHINGTON - More than 40 million Americans - or 14 percent of the US population - participated in camping last year, according to a new study released today by The Outdoor Foundation and sponsored by The Coleman Company, Inc. That is the same participation rate as 2012 with a 400,000 person drop in actual participants. The findings are part of the 2014 American Camper Report presented by The Coleman Company, Inc. and The Outdoor Foundation, the leading report tracking camping participation in the United States.
The 2014 American Camper Report details camping participation and provides data and analysis on camping trends throughout the United States. For the first time, the report also examines first-time campers to better understand what motivates them to take a first outing and how to retain them as lifelong camping participants. The data is based on an online survey of more than 19,000 Americans.
"Research in the American Camper Report highlights the importance of reaching Americans at an early age to instill a lifelong love of camping and inspire a healthy, active lifestyle," said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. "We hope this and other findings will help the camping industry, and the entire outdoor industry, be better equipped to engage campers and initiate an increase in camping participation."
"Camping continues to be one of the simplest and most rewarding forms of recreation for connecting with family and friends on a human level - something that is becoming even more essential as our lifestyles become increasingly digital, hyper-connected, and urgent-oriented." said Robert Marcovitch, Coleman CEO. "The American Camper Report clearly demonstrates the need for the outdoor industry and community leaders to inspire consumers to head outside and rediscover a part of themselves in a natural environment."
The insights detailed in the 2014 American Camper Report are critical to understanding both campers and non-campers and building participation in the activity. Some additional findings include:
Overview of Camping Participation
Americans went camping for a total of 597.7 million days.
From 2012 to 2013, the participation rate for most age groups remained the same, with the exception of young adults and adults. Young adults, ages 18 to 24, gained one percentage point, while adults, ages 25 to 44, lost one.
Camping lost a net of 423,955 participants from 2012 to 2013, which is a significant improvement over the 4.2 million participant loss from 2011 to 2012.
Tents were, by far, the preferred type of shelter.
The Mountain Region had the highest camping participation rate at 21 percent.
Sixty-three percent of campers ages 16 and over were married or living with a
domestic partner.
Eighty-seven percent of campers participated in multiple outdoor activities.
Profile of a Camping Trip
The average camper went on 5.4 camping trips in 2013.
Forty-three percent of campers planned their trips at least one month in advance.
Thirty-four percent of campers did not make advanced campsite reservations.
Friends were the most popular camping companions for all age groups.
Hiking was the most popular daytime activity while camping, and hanging out by the campfire was the most popular nighttime activity.
Buying Behavior
Seventy-six percent of participants were employed or were students and not yet employed.
Battery lighting was the most popular purchase among adult campers.
A majority of participants decided to purchase their camping item at home, prior to
their outing.
First-Time Campers
To prepare for a first camping trip, 41 percent of those participating in camping for the first time in 2013 bought propane or liquid fuel lighting
First-time campers were motivated by a love of the outdoors and a desire to escape
the grind.
Future of Camping
Eighty-five percent of campers took their first trip between birth and age 15.
Of current campers ages 18 and over, 64 percent participated in outdoor activities when they were between the ages of 13 to 17, compared to just 28 percent of non-campers. Outdoor participation during childhood had nearly the same effect.
The most cited reason for not camping in the future was a lack of time due to
family commitments.
Campers plan to go on an average of 4.9 trips next year, a decrease from 5.5 trips in 2012.
To download a complete copy of the 2014 American Camper Report, visit The Outdoor Foundation website.
About The Outdoor Foundation
The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through ground-breaking research, action-oriented convening and outreach and education programs, the Foundation is working with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. Learn more about The Outdoor Foundation at www.outdoorfoundation.org.
About Coleman: As an international leader in the innovation and marketing of outdoor products, The Coleman Company, Inc. helps people have fun and make memories by providing the gear integral to their favorite outdoor experiences. The company's products include its legendary lanterns and stoves, as well as coolers, tents, sleeping bags, airbeds, backpacks, furniture, and grills under the Coleman® brand. Additionally, the company provides flotation devices, towables, rainwear and airbeds as well as safety and survival equipment under its Stearns®, Sevylor®, Sospenders®, Helium® and Aerobed® brands. Founded in 1900 in Wichita, Kan., and headquartered in Golden, Colo., Coleman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation and can be found online at www.coleman.com.
About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of a diverse range of consumer products with a portfolio of over 120 trusted, quality brands sold globally. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, AeroBed®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Greys®, Gulp!®, Hardy®, Invicta®, K2®, Madshus®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, PENN®, Rawlings®, Ride®, Sevylor®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Völkl®, Worth® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Breville®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bernardin®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Lifoam®, Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, ProPak®, Quickie®, Spontex®, Tigex® and Yankee Candle®. Headquartered in Florida, Jarden ranks #356 on the Fortune 500 and has over 30,000 employees worldwide. For further information about Jarden, please visit www.jarden.com.
