Happy
campers

If you read our March print feature about camping making us happier, here’s a closer look at how and why

Happy campers – why camping feels so good

By VICKY SARTAIN

Posted on 14 February 2018

It’s no secret that time spent outdoors is good for us mentally and physically. In 2011, the Club created a ‘Real Richness’ report based on the findings of research undertaken by academics at Liverpool John Moores University. Its focus was specifically on the psychological and social benefits of camping – how they enrich our lives – with a survey sent to 2,000 people comprising campers and non-campers, both adults and children. The results showed that even in our technology-advanced world, the majority of respondents highly valued camping and time outdoors – simple pleasures away from the pressures of work, school and routine. To back up these low-tech findings, 70 per cent of campers said their favourite activity on holiday is walking with loved ones – quite a surprise in a climate that seems so geared to high-octane thrills.