Activity career concept : the camping life cycle, style, preferences and associated recreational activities of the elderly camper

Abstract

Retrospective life histories of senior adult recreational campers were examined over a six-stage life cycle continuum to determine the existence or nonexistence of an "activity career" in recreational camping. Selected family and socio-economic variables which may have influenced participation in a camping activity career and selection of camping style were examined for each life cycle stage and across multiple life cycle stages. Results of the study indicate that an activity career in recreational camping does exist among the sample respondents. Approximately one-half those respondents who had developed such an activity career had participated in recreational camping throughout all six life cycle stages. This suggests that early childhood participation in recreational activities may influence the development of recreational activity careers. Among career campers in this study, it was also apparent that participation in camping over time becomes an increasingly specialized recreational activity. Family and socio-economic variables examined in this study did not explain change in camping style across life cycle stage comparisons. However, respondents indicated that "other" variables--situational, family-related, technological, and site--were influential in respondents' changing camping style among specific life cycle stage comparisons. Study results indicate that spouses (wives) and children exerted little influence concerning (a) the area to camp (state or locality), (b) selection of the site within the campground, (c) the camping equipment, (d) the length of stay), (e) the number of camping trips, and (f) the style of camping among those respondents with activity careers in recreational camping. This may indicate that decision-making in specific outdoor recreation activities such as camping is a prescriptive role. That is, husbands see it as their role to make decisions concerning participation in outdoor recreation activities, particularly when their participation in such activities dates from childhood.