Ah, summer. Time to pack up the tent, the camp stove and cooler and head off to one of our great natural parks for a weekend of R&R.
Camping used to be one of the few remaining respites from our stress-filled world. It was also one of the last options for cheap family vacations, and it could be done relatively close to home.
But the times, they are a-changing, and not for the better.
Gone are the days when a regular person could make a spur-of-the-moment decision based on practical considerations like the chances of good weather vs. a weekend of sodden misery with the kids.
To have even a faint hope of getting a camp site, people have to sit on their computer waiting for the exact second that reservations open – as though scoring concert tickets to the Tragically Hip, rather than vying for the chance to sleep on an air mattress.
The chances are slim, though, as camp sites have gone the way of other real estate – with practices like scalping of reservations and online bulk buys by tour companies that resell the sites to tourists at a significant markup all throwing cold water on that sought-after campfire glow.
We agree that some simple measures could improve the situation. Allow B.C. residents a head start on campsite bookings. Limit the number of sites tour companies can reserve or only take reservations from individuals. Require ID to claim the sites.
Everyone – not just the canny and the wealthy – should have a chance to enjoy our great outdoors.
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