AGING INTO CAMPING

LET'S KEEP CAMPING!

THE AGING EXPERIENCE

Aging is an inevitable part of life that can be both beautiful and difficult at times. As people age, the neuro-networking system that communicates with the body declines and is less efficient which can lead to giving up meaningful activities and traditions (Cai, et al., 2024). The slow processing and brain communication impacts human's physical and functional capacity leading to limitations and shrinking the amount of safe public and community spaces for them to navigate (Cerin, et al., 2022). The maintenance, preservation, and external environment have unseen longitudinal effects on the brain that may accelerate or decelerate aging-related impacts including physical, psychological, and well-being (Cai, et al., 2024). Exposure to nature is beneficial for cognition, mood, stress reduction, and the immune system, and is associated with reducing mortality rate (Cerin, et al., 2022).

Ways it impacts engagement in camping & solutions

Explore the ways aging may impact you and recommendations to stay engaged in your meaningful outdoor occupations for longer.

PHYSICAL IMPACTS

The aging process may lead to difficulties with mobility, balance, coordination, and strength due to a decline in our functional capacity which shrinks the amount of safe public and community spaces for them to navigate. Aging people need appropriate accommodations that require careful consideration when designing and planning unpredictable outdoor environments such as camping. With the correct resources in place, an increase in physical activity has the opposite effect where mobility and functional capacity may be preserved or improved. This alludes to the importance of providing outdoor spaces that can be valuable settings for older people to engage in physical activity.

(Cerin, et al., 2022)

Notable Physical Difficulties When Camping

Navigating to sanitary facilities in the dark
"Increased risk of injury due to uneven grounds and obstacles."
"Changes in altitude."
"Assembling heavy items and equipment."
"Don't have the best balance and have difficulty bending down."

a group of people walking through a forest

How to Maintain & Preserve Physical Health

1. Ask for help

2. Go with someone who is experienced

3. Bring additional items for comfort and support

4. Do your research beforhand

Be familiar with the layout of the site, available amenities, provided resources, required equipment, and ways to make your camping experience more comfortable.

5. Bring PLENTY of lighting and come prepared

Don't hesitate to ask a loved one to help pack/unpack gear or help you retrieve items. Rangers and fellow campers are your friends! The more people who can help set up/takedown the camp the better. The camping community is typically very welcoming, kind, and helpful so don't be afraid to ask for help!!

Going with an experienced camper or someone with camping knowledge will bring peace of mind. The extra assistance and first hand skills can make it a smooth and enjoyable trip without any mishaps.

Some recommended gear for additional comfort:

Cot or air mattress to sleep off-ground
Extra lights (Lamps, headlamp, velcro hand flashlight) to improve visual field at night with hands-free lighting
Larger tent for space
Rake to create flat ground clear of obstacles if necessary

Positive Physical Outcomes Correlated to Camping:

Improved balance
Improved strength
Improved endurance
Improved flexibility
Lowered BP

an abstract image of a sphere with dots and lines

COGNITIVE IMPACTS

As we age so does the brain. An aging brain includes cognitive decline due to disruptions in the efficiency of information processing and integration between networks (Betzel, et al., 2014). Engagement in outdoor activities provides natural benefits for healthy physical, mental, and spiritual development. Exposure to nature can reduce one's mortality rate and has shown positive impacts on cognition, mood, stress reduction, and improved immune system (Cerin, et al., 2022).

Notable Cognitive Difficulties While Camping:

"Forgetting miscellaneous items."
"Organizing and puzzling supplies into van."
"Recalling supplies to bring."
Not having an accurate checklist or proper equipment

flat lay photography of camera, book, and bag

How to Maintain & Preserve Cognitive Capacity

1. Follow a equipment checklist!

2. Make a plan & do research

3. Gather gear together in one space at home

Separate gear into labeled bins e.g. cooking, sleeping, light/safety, tent, games/miscellaneous, etc. This allows for easy access, quick transportation to vehicle, and a convenient double check that all equipment is up to date.

4. Review what your bringing with someone beforehand

5. Communicate your plans

Use an equipment checklist as you gather and pack the car! This helps to eliminate forgetting essential equipment. A handy visual checklist to keep you on track can help speed up the process and limit mistakes. Check out the extra resources tab to find a comprehensive or visual guide.

Before you head out on your adventure, research the campground you are staying at. What facilities will be accessible? How is the terrain? What does a site generally look like? What will the weather be like? Are there any resources provided at the site?

Make sure you read reviews and have a plan of what activities you want to do while there so you can plan accordingly.

Listing your items out loud to someone else can be helpful! Either you or the person listening may think of missing items or additional ones to bring!

Tell your loved ones where you're going (campground & site number), what your plan is, and what you plan on bringing. Making sure everyone is on the same page can help for a smooth trip and transition from daily routines.

Positive Cognitive Outcomes of Camping:

"Mentally refreshed from the artificial environments we are accustomed to at home."
"Find it relaxing with reduced stress levels."
"It slows down my mind and I can think clearer."
"I feel self-resilient and self-sufficient."

group of people near bonfire near trees during nighttime

EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL IMPACT

Social connection and processing emotions is an important aspect of human existence. Everyone seeks occupations and social engagement to support health and wellness. Social connection facilitates a healthy sense of self, discovering identity, and improving one's quality of life (AOTA, 2020). Poor physical design of outdoor environments can be detrimental to social interactions, civic participation, community engagement, and health promotion (Hassen & Kaufman, 2016). This can cause people to retract from their meaningful activities and lose a sense of their role and identity in society.

Notable Social Difficulties While Camping:

"Difficulty socializing with neighboring campers."
"Disruptive or loud campers."
"Sites to close in proximity."
Different social patterns and interactions within the group (introverts vs extroverts)

selective focus photography of fire on wood

How to Manage Emotional & Social Health

1. Ground yourself in the moment

2. Be aware your surroundings

3. Process your feelings & emotions

4. Communicate to those around you

Be present in nature, with loved ones, and yourself. Allow yourself to disconnect from your normal routine and relax. Calming the mind can lead to deeper thoughts and open up avenues for meaningful conversations.

Don't forget where you are! The great outdoors provides a sensory-rich environment to absorb and recharge. Take in the refreshing scenery around you to allow negative to be absorbed into the trees and campfire. The outdoors does a good job of relaxing and opening your mind to different perspectives.

You have peace and quiet at your finger tips. Camping provides an opportunity to process your emotions, situations, and perspectives. If camping with friends or family, this environment provides a natural setting to open up, be vulnerable, and speak your mind. Listen, pause, and respond.

Express your thoughts and feelings while reconnecting with yourself and loved ones in this forgiving environment. Nature is never one to judge, so be honest with your emotions and feelings!

Positive Emotional/ Social Outcomes of Camping

"Focused family time... cherish the togetherness."
"It's a way of being connected... you have to be present in nature and I think that's why it's good for your mind."
"You have deeper conversations when your camping than you do at home."
"Appreciation for life... changes perspective and outlooks."

an elderly woman holding a pair of glasses

OTHER AGE RELATED IMPACTS

Let's not forget about vision and hearing! As people age, eyesight and hearing slowly start to disappear. As the communication between the occipital and frontal lobe decelerates, so does the vision leading to low vision and other visual impairments that can impact individuals participating in their occupations. This can make campground navigation difficult for people as they age.

Notable Vision Difficulty While Camping:

"Difficulty reading the signs."
"Difficulty seeing at night.'
"Difficulty navigating around campgrounds."
Difficulty getting to other facilities from site

RECOMMENDATIONS & LIVED EXAMPLES

Aging can cause people to find themselves transitioning out of their meaningful occupations due to physical, mental, or environmental limitations. Camping is an outdoor recreational activity that helps individuals be physically active, connect with nature, and spend quality time with loved ones.