interesting statistics for backpacking in America…

"The 2013 American Camper Report, sponsored by The Coleman Company, Inc., details camping participation and provides data and analysis on camping trends throughout the United States. For the first time, the report also takes an in-depth look at the buying behaviors of camping participants to provide insights about practices and preferences. The data is based on an online survey of more than 42,000 Americans ages six and older and a supplementary survey of camping participants ages 18 and older."

I doubt the accuracy. Especially given the last sentence. I see you changed the thread title from backpacking to camping. Since the study includes campgrounds, rv, cabin and yurt campers.

I do believe the huge difference in bivy use between women and men though. Women are smarter ;)

What are children doing filling out surveys?

> What are children doing filling out surveys?
Using a pencil?
What's wrong with the idea anyhow? They are probably more honest than adults.

Cheers

an yet sales of "outdoursy" branded clothes keep on increasing …

;)

"What's wrong with the idea anyhow?"

Who's money are they spending? 6 years old and filling out online surveys.. Seems a little young to have any kind of informed opinion. Probably adults lying about their age. Sure they think they know everything. Very small percentage of people answered this survey anyway.

I took a look through the published survey results, which I downloaded from the Outdoor Foundation's website. From their methodology section:

"Youth interviews
All interviews of children under 13 were carried out following the guidelines set out in the
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). No children were contacted
directly. The panel is a balanced sample of households with children in each age group,
but contact is always made through designated adult panelists. The adult panelist receives
the survey invitation on behalf of a specified child, age 6 to 12, and they are asked to
complete the survey together. Respondents ages 13 to 17 are contacted in a manner similar
to respondents ages 6 to 12, but they are asked to complete the survey themselves."