Inside Outdoor Magazine

We also know that North American Millennials, as well as GenZers, are more ethnically diverse than any previ- ous generation. And apparently we are seeing that manifest within customers new to camping. In 2012, for instance, a full 88 per- cent of campers in KOA’s survey were classified as Caucasian/White. Among the new campers entering the sport in 2017, however, only 51 percent of were classified as Caucasian/White, indicat- ing a fairly significant over correction in terms of ethnicity. In other words, the representations of Hispanics/Latinos, African Americans/Blacks and Asians/ Pacific Islanders not only exceed any- thing we’ve seen up to this point among other outdoor activity participants, they also are in line or exceed U.S. Census figures, show the KOA findings. Asian American/Pacific Islander campers in particularly are represented at three times that of U.S. Census figures – Asian American campers represented 17 percent of new campers in 2017, against 5 percent from Census data. Overall, the percentage of Caucasian campers in 2017 fell to 72 percent. The increasing ethnic diversity among campers is something the KOA study has noted during the past few years, and while there used to be large differences in the self-reported benefits and appeals of camping between white and non-white campers, with the influx of new campers, who are both younger and more diverse, “these differences have flattened dramatically,” said KOA. Indeed, the opportunity to relax and escape the stress of daily life, spend more time with friends and family and overall affordability are fairly universal appeals of camping. However, we do see some new trends and the accelera- tion of existing trends among these new and younger campers. Camping, for starters, always has been a family affair. That appears to be even more of a truism as younger and more ethnically diverse campers embrace the activity. In 2017, the major- New Campers by Ethnicity Source: KOA; Cairn Consulting Group Fewer work commitments Having an introductory lesson/outing Having friend instruct me New equipment Availability of better multi-use trails/sidewalks Tax break on equipment, fees & instructions E ployer ponsored a tivity Something else 18.5% 18.1% 16.6% 15.0% 12.5% 12.1% 9.6% 6.9% 15.9% Source: Physical Activity Council Census New campers in 2017 New campers in 2016 New campers in 2015 White/Caucasian African American/Black Asian/Pacific Islander All other Hispanic/Latino 2015 2016 2017 64% 51% 14% 17% 17% 61% 12% 13% 14% 60% 18% 11% 10% 12% 16% 5% 3% 1% 1% Campers who Camp with Multiple Generations Source: KOA; Cairn Consulting Group Hispanic/Latino African American/Black Asian/Pacific Islander White/Caucasion 75% 74% 75% 67% 68% 68% 63% 62% 60% 53% 55% 58% Primary Accommodations of Campers 23% 21% 22% 22% 24% 20% 4% 4% 1% 1% 1% 3% 21% 18% 17% 14% 25% Inside Outdoor | SPRING 2018 28