National Camping Month

The suns up, the birds are singing, and the mosquitoes are finally hatching from their larval phase. Ok, it isn’t all rainbows and fresh fish, but June is National Camping Month, and it’s a great opportunity to get outside with the family and enjoy the great outdoors.

Research shows that people who spend time camping are happier, more relaxed, and tend to buy more bug repellant. What? We don’t like mosquitoes anymore than you do, but we do love camping! Who doesn’t love sitting under the stars roasting marshmallows and making S’mores, or waking up to the smell of wood smoke and bacon?

History of National Camping Month

While there was a time when ‘camping’ was just called ‘being alive’, that all changed in the 1800’s when a man named Thomas Hiram Holding began to popularize the idea of recreational camping. Camping was a part of his life introduced to him by the rigors of the Oregon Trail, and once he had settled it turned into a passion he pursued and introduced to others. Once camping in general had become popularized, Thomas went on to introduce the idea of Cycle Camping to the American world.

This is, quite simply, where you load up on a bike and ride until you find a spot to camp, get up the next day, and do it all over again.

What is likely the first commercial campground opened in Douglas, Isle of Man in 1894 and was called Cunningham’s Camp. From this point in history all sorts of new types of camping came into existence, from mere weekend family getaways, to RV camping, and everything in between.

Whether rafting down a river in a Canoe and setting up camp in the evening, or hiking into the woods far from civilization with a backpack full of your gear, National Camping Month celebrates them all.

How to celebrate National Camping Month

Well this has got to be the easiest answer ever, GO CAMPING. Even if it’s just a pop-up tent and sleeping bag in your backyard under the stars, get out there and reconnect with the great outdoors. There’s a place to find your soul and set your mind to peace out in the great distant woods, and they’re calling all of us to head back out there and find ourselves.

So pile into your car, find yourself some secluded spot to set up a tent, and celebrating National Camping Month by going camping!