Going camping with your friends and loved ones for the very first time can be so much fun. There are plenty of exciting things to do and see together. You’ll get to make memories that will last a lifetime, and you’ll definitely want to come back again next camping season.
Before you set off on your first outdoor adventure in the wonderful wilderness, there are a few things you should be aware of. For example, did you know that there are specific types of people on a camping trip?
That’s right, you might think you know your friends and family well, but when it comes time to camp out in the forest, you may just see a whole new side of them that you never knew existed.
Luckily for you, this article will cover all the different types of people you’ll encounter on a camping trip, including the best, and the worst. And who knows? You may even discover what type of camper you really are.
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The Grey-Bearded Nomad
You’ll be able to spot this happy camper a mile away. The grey-bearded Nomad, as his name suggests, is usually seen sporting a scruffy grey beard. Some might even say he looks like a hobo, but the truth is, everyone envies the nomad just a little.
This camper is the oldest type there is, he has worked hard his whole life, and now chooses to enjoy his sunset years out in the wilderness, fishing, and foraging. The Grey-bearded Nomad has spent his savings on packing up his life and setting to enjoy the simple life.
If you get to know the nomad, you may find he’s full of wisdom and fascinating stories of his younger years. He’ll even be able to share some camping tips that come with years of experience. After all, he didn’t get those grey hairs by just sitting around.
The Extended Family
The next type of camper on our list isn’t just one camper, because they travel in packs. They are none other than the extended family. For the extended family, camping is the perfect time to reconnect with cousins, aunts, and uncles. The extended family are usually accompanied by several young children.
If you don’t like little kids, they may just get on your nerves. However, if you happen to have your own children, your kids might get the chance to make some new friends while they’re camping. The kids will be able to keep each other entertained for hours, while the adults get some much needed time to themselves.
In all honesty, encountering the extended family while you’re on your camping trip can either be a blessing or a curse. If the members of the family happen to be nice and sociable, you might be able to get to know one another, and perhaps even enjoy each other’s company.
That’s the ideal outcome, the other one is that the extended family could end up being an absolute nightmare to share a campsite with. They could be loud and rowdy, their children could be annoying, and they could end up ruining your whole trip. Truth be told, which way things go really is a roll of a dice.
The Frugal Camper
The next camper on our list is just as easy to identify on a regular basis. The frugal camper is one who will do anything they can to save a dollar. Going camping with such a camper is fairly hit or miss, too.
One one hand, the frugal camper could teach you to have a fun camping trip while saving the most money. However, there’s always the possibility that the frugal camper is only there to scrounge off of you.
Camping is fun, but it isn’t always cheap. Ideally, you want to go camping with people who are willing to split the bill evenly, so the frugal camper may not be the best travel companion to keep around. It shouldn’t be hard to identify one of your own friends or family members as a frugal camper, chances are they’re equally cheap in real life too.
The Couple
Many couples seem to think that camping together will be a quiet, romantic getaway designed to bring the two of them closer together. While camping certainly can be romantic, that doesn’t mean it always will be, especially for novice campers who are still learning as they go.
Camping can be difficult and stressful, and couples may end up fighting and arguing amongst each other. If you’re traveling with a couple, or sharing a campsite with them, things can get pretty awkward for you, if you find yourself stuck in the middle of a lover’s quarrel.
The Novice Camper
If you’re reading this article, there’s actually a solid chance that this camper might just be you. Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with being an inexperienced camper. After all, we all have to start somewhere, right?
The Novice camper is one who ends up making some classic mistakes, such as forgetting to bring their bare essentials, or never bothering to learn how to set up a tent. If your very camping trip is coming up, we recommend learning some basic camping tips before you go. Or, at the very least, don’t be afraid to ask someone with more experience for advice, and a helping hand.
The Festival Camper
You might think the festival camper took a wrong turn on their way to Burning Man and wound up in your campsite. This happy camper will be quick to turn a camping trip into a music festival.
Chances are, they’ll be dressed like a hippie, and always blasting loud music throughout. If their fellow campers want to join in on the song and dance, everyone will have a great time. But, if everyone else was hoping to relax, the Festival Camper can quickly become a thorn in your side.
Which Kind of Camper Are You?
Now that you know about some of the unique characters you may encounter while you’re out camping, what do you think? Have you encountered one of them before? And which kind of camper are you? It’s certainly worth thinking about.