The dates have been set for this year’s National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW) – and it promises to be full of ‘outjoyment’ – a blended word of outdoors and enjoyment. Organised by THE CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB, the week, which runs from 29 May to 4 June, will be celebrating the fact camping officially makes you happier, according to the findings of a major new study.
The Club’s OUTJOYMENT REPORT was carried out by a team of academics at Liverpool John Moores University and Sheffield Hallam University looking at the health and well-being benefits of camping in the great outdoors. Key findings discovered that campers are:
- Happy: 97% of campers say happiness is their top motivator for going camping while 48% of campers reported feeling happy almost every day, compared with 35% of non-campers
- More connected to nature: 93% go camping to enjoy being in nature – the second highest motivator after happiness, and they score highly on measures of nature connection
- Enjoying better well-being: 93% of campers value camping for the benefits it gives to their health and well-being – an increase on the 85% of our Real Richness Report in 2011
- Less stressed: 88% of campers are motivated to go camping to take time out of everyday life and have higher levels of psychological well-being than non-campers
- Active outdoors: 98% of campers take part in outdoor activities. 91% go walking, 39% cycle and 26% enjoy birdwatching.
To celebrate the pastime and highlight the importance of the report’s findings during National Camping and Caravanning Week, the Club will host unique outdoor experiences at city centre locations around the UK by creating immersive campsite experiences in urban settings. Guests will be invited to reconnect with nature, and discover how camping can reduce stress and anxiety, leading to feelings of ‘outjoyment’ – a blended word of outdoors and enjoyment.
Simon McGrath, the Club’s Head of Communications and External Relations, said, “Outjoyment is the feeling people get when camping in the great outdoors, and during National Camping and Caravanning Week we want people in urban areas to really enjoy the benefits of immersing themselves in nature despite not being in the countryside.
“We have official proof that camping makes you happier and this year we’re taking camping out of the campsite and into the city so more people can discover the health and well-being benefits of camping.”
The Club will be revealing more details about the city roadshow in the coming weeks and has advised that campers are planning longer holidays this summer, spending more nights under the stars for breaks booked between June and September.
Since 2019, it has reported an increase in the average length of stay for summer stays on its nearly 100 Club Sites across the UK, as campers look to switch off and reconnect; the trend is set to continue in 2023.
Nicola Simpson, the Club’s Director of Communications, Marketing and People, said, “Even though we are seeing booking patterns normalising more compared to the last three years, our membership levels are still holding up really well and we have some 750,000 members of the Club. We are seeing strong levels of new recruits join the Club, and we’re retaining existing members at really high levels too, which is always a good way to gauge just how popular tent camping, caravanning and motorhoming is.”
Here are some tips from the Club to make the most of camping trips this spring and summer, helping to save money at the same time:
Back to basics: Borrow a tent and equipment from friends and family and pitch up on a Club Site from as little as £16 per person per night for a service pitch in high season.
Get money off at attractions: Club members get exclusive discounts at top visitor attractions across the UK. MEMBERSHIP starts from £45 a year.
Enjoy affordable easy camping: Club members save £49 when they book a three-night stay this June for themselves and a loved one at our Ready Camp tents at Windermere Club Site in the Lake District, saving 20% with their member discount.
Save on high season camping: Campers get 35% off stays in July and August at 15 scenic Club Sites when using promo code SUMUK35.
Pick a campsite close to home: Visit SITESEEKER to search campsites just a mile from home.
Traynor On The Trail 