This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Last year, 1.8 million Quebecers visited one of the province’s 1,129 private campgrounds, according to Camping Québec. A figure up 16% since 2016. If the consequences of Covid-19 – confinement and border closures in mind – have a lot to do with this renewed love, it is clear that new followers have not stored their equipment once the pandemic has passed. To try it would be to adopt it? Yes, answer experts, as long as we are well prepared.
“I’m camping and traveling at the moment and I don’t have reliable wifi… Just fireflies flickering in the forest. And two little eyes looking at me. I’ll call you in the afternoon. This response, received by email, is that of Marie-France Bornais to our interview request. A few hours later, this great specialist in camping of all kinds, author of several books on the subject, tells how much camping remains, according to her, the best way to recharge your batteries.
“It’s a way to reconnect with nature, much more than any other way of travelling,” she tells us. We are really in direct contact with what is happening in our environment. It’s the birds that wake you up in the morning, you drink your coffee, you look at the lake, the trees, life. It takes away the stress of everyday life. »
From 0 to 99 years old
So that’s a good reason to go camping… But that won’t necessarily please everyone! That’s good because there are as many possible camping experiences as there are traveler profiles. Between the pair of snowbirds retirees who settle down every year during the six months of summer in the same campground and in a comfortable recreational vehicle and the adventurer who leaves alone, the tent in the backpack, to explore the parks that offer pitches in the wildest and most difficult to reach places, there is a whole range of possibilities.
“Camping is from 0 to 99 years old,” says Camping Québec President and CEO Simon Tessier. There are different types of campsites for different types of campers. You can go from the very small campground to the very large, from the very luxurious to the most rustic. It all depends on what people are looking for. »
There are also resort-type campsites. Real amusement parks, always very popular with families, who can let the children wander around all day only to see them again at mealtimes, and then again…
“There is a real sense of security there because everyone knows each other,” says Mr. Tessier. People come back every year so book early! These places are also sought after by snowbirds because they know their grandchildren might want to join them there. In recent years, campsites have also made a real effort to develop water parks, beautiful swimming pools and sports facilities. Pickleball has also been popular lately. »
Start with the ready-to-camp
Other trends include the rustic offer, closer to nature, which can now be found outside provincial and national parks. And above all, ready-to-camp. Between 2016 and 2023, the supply has increased from 1,767 to 4,069 units and, according to our two experts, there is still room to increase it to seek new customers.
“It’s the best way to try camping,” says Mme borned. This allows the experiment to be tested without having to invest in equipment, which can be expensive. Stove, cooler, crockery, sleeping bags… Even in a tent, there is a set starting point that we cannot do without. It seems like a good idea to go and see first how it feels in the forest, in the dark. Will the whole family love this? In terms of the comfort zone, where do we stand? The first time, I recommend going not far, not for long and if possible, therefore, in a ready-to-camp. »
Another advice from our two experts: be well prepared. And first of all, that means asking yourself what type of comfort you are looking for.
“Me, I am a luxury hen, confides Simon Tessier to us. It takes a lot for me to be well. If I was badly housed, even if I was offered a bunch of nice things around, I would only focus on the fact that I sleep badly or that I don’t have a bathroom. For others, camping necessarily rhymes with rusticity. Anyway, you have to satisfy this need before looking for a place that meets your desires in terms of activities and leisure. »
Because being well prepared also means choosing where you are going to set foot and finding out about it. However, according to Marie-France Bornais, this planning is too often neglected.
“And that’s what can make the experience terrible,” she says. We must learn about the services that we will find on site, but also know some important concepts. What to do in case of a tick bite? What does poison ivy look like? How to properly extinguish a fire? In short, knowing what you’re getting into so you only have to savor the experience once there. »
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This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.