Discussion Topic: Do “Glampers” Belong in The Woods?

From the Los Angeles Times:

The Bondicks . . . shelled out $595 a night -- plus an additional $110 per person per day for food.

It's a hefty price to sleep in a tent, but the perks include a camp butler to build their fire, a maid to crank up the heated down comforter at nightfall and a cook to whip up bison rib-eye for dinner and French toast topped with huckleberries for breakfast.

The number of visits to U.S. national parks is declining, but "glamping" -- glamorous camping -- is on the rise in North America . . . .

"It's not about experiencing what Lewis and Clark did," said Milton Pedrazza, chief executive of Luxury Institute, a New York-based research company. "It's about enjoying nature and all the comforts that come with the luxury lifestyle. They see it as one big seamless, wonderful experience."

How do you see it?

Comments

[Matt Mallery]

Part of experiencing nature is roughing it and exposing yourself to nature both beautiful and annoying, both glorius and dangerous. These people might as well stay in a Hilton and drive to the National Park, then drive back when the day is up.

[RC]

These people should stay at home

[Anonymous]

I hope to never be this rich, but either way, who am I to judge or say how someone should or should not enjoy God's creation. He made if for both the rich and the not-so-rich. I'll bet that if Lewis & Clark looked at how we camp now, they'd bauk at the luxeries we have now adays. As long as they aren't destroying His creation, have at it.

[Brian]

Throw enough money at French toast, some of it will stick. Helpless and hopeless.

[Dave Bondick]

Who wants to sleep on the hard ground without showering and have bugs crawl all over you while you sleep? Gross. I guess you swine are used to it livin in your trailer parks and sleeping with your dogs...

[Justin]

It is no different than hunters paying big bucks on game preserves, being treated in the very same manner. If there is a market for it, then people will pay for it. Maybe we should focus on the folks who provide the service - not the ones who pay for it.

[Black Rifle Addict]

Hold on boys...having the affluent enjoy a natural setting in there own way is not all that bad for us sportsman!
Not all nature people hunt and fish, but they still have an interest in keeping nature alone.
Now isn't that better then dealing with an anti?

[Dylan]

Wow, powerful words Brian. Its too bad that now days a full grown man can't survive a night outside without having his bottom wiped by a maid and his dinner served by a butler. It's people like you that represent everything wrong with many people today. As frail as a new born baby.

[darrell]

Just be glad they are out enjoying the outdoors. Why be so judgemental? Who cares if they have a maid and butler with them?

Some of you babies, truth be known, probably have your mommies at deer camp cooking your food and hand washing your laundry. What's the difference besides the fact that these 'rich' people paid for it?

Just be glad they are outside!

[km]

they need to experience the true outdoors

[smf]

Glamping isn't my cup of tea, but I wouldn't mind the French Toast with berries... Camp food doesn't always have to be burnt or come from a can. My girls wait in the tent until the butler "AKA me" feeds them. It's one of my happiest memories.

Well being a glamper certainly isn't any morally worse than going to "deer camp" with the sole purpose of getting drunk and behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner.

As long as people behave and don't destroy things, I have no problem with "Glamping". We need not to worry about this and to work on publicizing hunting as the family sport than 95% of us already know it is.

[suburban bushwacker]

Dave Bondick is right, this sounds like high cost hunting without the hunting. Please don't tell the Mrs. this kind of thing exists, much as i'd like her to come along I need all availible funds for guns, bows, rods, reels, bikes, watches and, well, you know stuff.

[mot]

all glampers should be shot on sight.

[mike]

although us true sportsman look down on it, its not our right to judge but only hope that there wealth and position in society can influence others that being outside isn't half bad.

[Jason]

I need to keep this glamping thing secret if my wife finds out I will end up spending a fortune.

I don't have a problem with it. I am glad more people are enjoying the outdoors.

[SilverArrow]

Glampers!!! New name, old concept. Heck, one can read in the pages of our beloved magazine about safaris and even stateside outfitters offering hunters the same level of amenities. When the well-heeled sport of yesteryear took to the fields and forests it was with an entourage of porters, cooks, tent-put-uppers, latrine diggers etc.

As with their forebearers these Glampers will come in all ilks; some will do us well and others will screw things up with their money.

To each their own; enjoy!
SA

[mike]

Ban them and all their friends! The joggers, hikers, bird watchers, tree hugging photographers, artists and the whole lot!

Why can't the average American get it through their thick heads that the National Parks and all the lands were set aside for the selfish pleasure of us rugged outdoor types and maybe a few adventurous dope growers!

[Nathan]

Brian-

Apparently you and your boyfriend should stay indoors where you belong. You confirm the fact that the feminization of America is alive and well.

[Matt Mallery]

To David,

You sound like a metrosexual. Do you starch your hunting shirt? To the rest of you who say I can't judge. Hell yes I can. I can judge all I want. Is there a law that says I can't? I think these people need to stay in the city. Being a bit uncomfortable is part of the outdoor experience. This nation has enough sissies and metrosexuals like David.We don't need to encourage more of them coming to the outdoors. These are the types of people that will sue a state park or the National Forest when their 8 year old gets eaten by a cougar.

[Nathan]

Brian, my mistake for directing my comments towards you. They were intended for David.

[Bob]

Umm, I think some of you who are getting so worked up need to reread the article and look at "David's" last name.

Past that though, who cares? If some guy a couple campsites down wants to pay to be tucked in at night, it in no way affects my camping experience. Furthermore, our national parks need all the funding they can get. While it seems somewhat contradictory to me and is certainly not my cup of tea, "glamping" has no adverse effect on the environment, and also potentially gets more people into national parks where they can buy trail passes and spend money to keep those parks kept up. Seems like a "no-lose" situation to me...

[Shooter]

What would Tim Allen think?

Besides Black Rifle Addict has a good point,
Now isn't that better then dealing with an anti?

I say, Glampers are better than walking around a corner on a forest road or trail and have some wild-eyed deer hunter looking down his rifle at you waiting for his brother’s dogs to push one across!

Hell, don’t they have something serious to fix out there! Besides, you can’t go into a restroom at a Target store in San Francisco without some pervert walking in behind you! Happened to me, it did! Didn't hit the boy, but he knew he wuz in da wrong place. BUBA don't swing both ways!

What in Gods Little Green Apples is this world coming to?

[Phillip]

Who the hell cares?

Seriously, I haven't heard anyone here tell anyone else that they HAVE to camp this way. Not one of them is telling you that this "glamping" experience has to be YOUR experience, and they sure as hell aren't under any obligation to enjoy things the way YOU think they should either.

If this guy or anyone else wants to do this, what is it hurting?

Don't like it? Don't do it. Wanna try it? It's there if you can afford it.

[SilverArrow]

Bubba in Target, in San Francisco!!! That is almost as out of place as 'The Donald' Trump and friends camping in a tent. LOL

[Dylan]

I heard of plenty of hotels and lodges with some nice natural scenery. Why don't they just stay there. They can go hike during the day to explore more. I don't care if they want to glamp, but it doesn't make any sense to me. Camping is about the experience of living basic. It shows us that we don't always need modern conveniences enjoy life.