I was always under the impression that the only qualification required to go camping was your ability to fog a mirror if you breathed out. Age, gender or indeed anything else was irrelevant. (Irrelevant, an elephant no-one bothers about)
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 31/8/2008
I was speaking to a guy about the same age as myself (56),the last time I was solo camping in Glencoe.He was also solo and we were having a chat after a day in the hills.He said he was beginning to feel awkward about camping/walking on his own, he actually said at times he felt like an old perv due to some of the looks he got from family campers..especially the mothers. I have also felt like that a couple of times to be honest.
Fortunately I usually go with my wife,son,grandchildren and various friends..not all at once.This chap had lost his wife a couple of years before and they had both loved camping / walking,so after a while he returned to camping but on his own and was now wondering if he should continue,he said one mother practically broke her childs arm dragging her inside the tent after speaking to this guy who was merely walking past there tent going back to his tent after a day out.
I can understand the concern of parents as we have 2 children and several grandchildren but fortunately brought them up to be sensible but not to be afraid of every oldish or single person they see,we oldies have a life and enjoy our hobbies too.What are peoples thoughts on this..
We spent a weekend last September at the C&CC at Eskdale and we were pitched next to a chap in his 60`s, who was all alone apart from his dog, a lovely golden retriever. The guy was out walking most of the time and when at his tent mainly sat outside reading his book. OH got chatting to him and found out he lived in York, one of favourite places and as they chatted the kids (son aged 14 and daugher aged 11 at the time) made friends with the dog. This chap camped alone as he too had lost his wife and was delighted to have a bit of a chat with fellow campers. I would hate to see people give up camping because they are made to feel like perverts because they camp alone.
I think it's sad that these days the minority are making it very difficult for those of us law abiding citizens that merely wish to enjoy ourselves while were still able.
My wife was telling me that she went to watch my daughter (20) ice skating and as soon as she took her camara out she was approached by a staff member to sign a register because there were children skating. My eldest Son who is 24 has told us that he cant even sit on a bench in the park near us without getting strange looks from parents with their kids. Where will it all end? It's getting absolutely crazy that you are seen as potential pervs for taking photographs of your own family members when there are other kids playing nearby.
I think some serious re-educating needs to happen. Its not just the more mature people that get looked down on it is the same with single men, women, if two same sex friends go camping everyone thinks that they are gay!! What is happening to the world! Soon enough every one will be too scared to talk to anyone it's so very sad
I started Eurocamping with my parents at 7, at 10 I made my Guide promise on my very first Guide camp. There was a hiatus whilst I was at university, and when we first had children (we just didn't have holidays at all).
So now having turned 32 yesterday, I have been reading these posts and now I am looking forward to a good 50 more years of camping ahead of me...... I can't wait, Cheers
There is no age to stop camping...as long as one is able then ok...but..what there is an age for is how you get to your pitch...I was in the sad situation of a fellow camper in france having a stroke and his wife did not drive (it was a large campervan) we had been talking the night before and I thought the man in question was in early 70s but it turned out he was 84 ,now if he had had his stroke whilst driving he could have killed people,it also turned out he had had a heart attack the year before,in France also..and had been bought back by air ambulance,my heart went out to the poor wife,her husband never regained conciousness and died 2 days later,we sometimes have to think of other people not just ourselves..camping as long as you can..Yes...driving whilst on all sorts of pills and tablets,with history...No...we all have to except our limitations.
Have to admit due to OH's ill health we swapped our tents for a camper last year when we were aged 49 and46 but I do take my hat off to all those who continue to camp whatever their age
There is no retirement age! I'm only 30 but have no intention of ever giving up camping. My Grandmother camped out with us (in sole charge of 4 grandkids from ages 10 -15) until her late 60s. She is now in her mid 80s and still caravanning. And she considers heating and electic in a caravan as mod cons! I hope I'll be camping that long. As long as you enjoy it there should be no 'end date' even if it means that you need a bit more comfort and that winter camping is out.
Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 31/8/2008
Hi all. While ever you can put the tent up,no mater how long it takes you can keep on camping I am 67 and val is 70 this Christmas and we may get a trailer tent next year as my multi joint arthritis. is getting worse every year my pancreas is badly damaged and pills made from a pig digest my food,I am diabetic I take tablets for my tickerInfact I swallow 13 different types of tablets every day. 19 in all not counting pain killers. But when the old gray reaper finds me I hope it is in a tent. Camping as been in my life from the days before my memory kicked in my first camp was in 1946 a very young school boy. No. Age as others as said has no bearing on how long you camp,as long as you can still put up your own tent It can now take val and I, 7 hours to set up a full camp, but as we only go now for camps over 6 days it not bad, you see Val and I make one good camper between us all the best Rex.
Ah Rex that bought a tear to my eye . Best wishes to you both & may you have many camping years left, together .
My mother-in-law camps at the same campsite as us each summer, but insists on her own pitch. She bought her own tent three years ago ... at age 80! .... and shows no signs of giving up in the foreseeable future!
I was brought up with camping from the age of seven packed it in when i was in my 20s bought a static when i was early 40s sold it bought a tent at 47 was 50 last week and got no intention of packing in.
My wife and i have just started camping again after a 13 year lay off, i am 53 she is 52 and we love it, my last tent i will ever go in will be made of wood lol
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Topic: Retirement age for campers
