Summer Camping Tops Activities List For Moms and Families

Let’s go camping! is a popular refrain, as summer camping beats out other family activities according to a new summer 2021 travel survey.

We’ve long been fans of camping – especially the kind that comes with plenty for kids to do and creature comforts for parents. 

What Every Summer Camping Spot Should Have

At Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, for example, you can take your pick of where to stay — a yurt, cabin, tent or RV – so comfort is guaranteed. Kids have plenty to do. Kids’ activities include everything from wagon rides to mini golf to jumping pillows and Yogi Bear-led dance parties and crazy games. 

Let’s not forget water sports. Jellystone Park is known for water slides, splashgrounds and  pool foam parties. Each park is different, and many may also be located near beaches and lakes as well as tourist attractions and national parks.

Survey Finds Families Turn to Summer Camping

According to a new survey of more than 800 moms and their kids conducted this spring for Jellystone Park, going to swimming pools and water parks is kids’  #1 choice for summer fun.

The pandemic has brought millions of families to camping. The survey found that moms prefer camping over other types of vacations. Seventy percent said they are somewhat to very comfortable camping, compared with staying in a hotel room (62%). Only about one-third of those surveyed (37%) were comfortable traveling by air, with only one-in-five moms comfortable taking a cruise.

Camping Offers Together Time and Relaxation

More than nine-out-of-10 moms felt that summer camping and glamping lead to greater family communication and bonding compared to other activities. According to Touchstone Research, that’s because families spend time together communicating face-to-face, cooking over a campfire and playing together, giving them less time to spend online.

Eighty-five percent of moms who have camped before said that camping and glamping helps their family relax more than other types of vacations. Nine-out-of-10 moms with camping experience said their family has made some of its best memories on these trips. Nearly all of them (98%) said they would recommend camping or glamping to friends and/or family members who have not yet tried it.  

Digital Detox is Another Camping Benefit

Another plus, 95% of those with camping experience said their family is less likely to engage in social media or other online activities while summer camping than at home.

Three-quarters credited the variety of activities, including swimming, organized games and activities. Another two-thirds said camping stimulates quality conversations between family members that overshadows the need to communicate with other people online.

Providing children with an opportunity to learn new life skills, controlling their family’s environment and saving money on eating out were identified as top summer camping attributes.

Camping Means “Me” Time

Moms also value “me” time or time with their partner. The survey showed that although moms prioritize family togetherness, they also value adult  time.

Kids value their own time, too. When asked what they like about summer vacation, only 50% of children surveyed gave five thumbs up –- the most possible -– to spending time with their parents. Even fewer (35%) gave five thumbs up to spending time with their brothers and sisters.

Fortunately, campgroundsoffer plenty of options for kids and their parents to make new friends.

Author Eileen Ogintz and her family have camped in several states, often with their dog. Whether in an RV, tent or cabin, she can attest to the value of camping as a family experience, and created this post about summer camping for sponsor Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts.