| Camping is considered as one of the oldest | | | | ten features. While back then, the design was |
| hobbies of Americans. It started in the 1800s | | | | more simple and easy to use. |
| when people had makeshift homes in the forests | | | | Despite of these changes, one thing remained |
| and live with nature. Back then it was their way | | | | constant. The main reason why people camp |
| of living, but today, we do it as a recreational | | | | outdoors still haven't changed over the years. |
| activity. | | | | People have the need to be one with nature, to |
| It is already a given that camping techniques, as | | | | go back to the basics and try to survive with |
| well as tools and equipment have changed over | | | | nature's elements and to experience closer human |
| the span of centuries. As we become more | | | | companionship with family members or friends. |
| dependent on technology, more efficient | | | | But what has changed about this is the way |
| equipment are used in camping. | | | | people do it. |
| The pioneers of camping are the Native American | | | | Now, we rely on equipment that can be very |
| Indians who also introduced the art of 'woodcraft' | | | | useful and ease the trouble of camping. We rely |
| which are skills needed to survive in the wild. | | | | on modern day technology to do this. We have |
| These woodcraft skills include building shelter and | | | | inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags and tents |
| how to catch fish among other things. It is | | | | which can endure any season or weather |
| basically a survival course. | | | | condition. Having a stovetop spares us the trouble |
| The most drastic change when it comes to | | | | in building a fire from scratch to keep us warm |
| modern day techniques is concerned with the | | | | and cook dinner. |
| equipment being used in camping. The Native | | | | If we compare this to the old times, people relied |
| Americans started out with homemade camping | | | | so much on their knowledge and personal skills to |
| equipment, and possibly created and designed | | | | survive in the wild because there is a lack of |
| their own tools to help them survive in the wild. | | | | available equipment to do it for them. Perhaps the |
| Compared to this, the modern day backpacker | | | | most important contribution that modern |
| has a wide array of equipment to choose from | | | | backpackers imparted to other campers is the |
| the local sporting goods store. Modern equipment | | | | 'Leave No Trace' policy. People now are more |
| is usually complex and highly specialized. | | | | aware of the importance of nature and are doing |
| If we compare the camping equipment used from | | | | something to counter the damage brought about |
| the old to the new, there are two key | | | | by previous and present generations. |
| differences. One, the material used in making the | | | | The 'Leave No Trace' policy states that you |
| equipment. Back then materials used are leather, | | | | should clean up after yourself whenever you're |
| cotton and silk. Now, camping equipment uses | | | | out there camping. Bring garbage bags and never |
| synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester. | | | | leave trash and leftover food lying around. |
| Second, there is a difference in the design. Now, | | | | Basically, when you leave a camp site it should be |
| we have complex designs for our camping | | | | the same as you first stepped foot on it. |
| equipment, which can probably have more than | | | | |