Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1977

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

Kerry F. Schell

Committee Members

E. R. Buckner, G. R. Wells

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to identify the needs and desires of campers who use various types of shelter equipment. Identifying and evaluating camper tastes and preferences provide outdoor recreation planners with the knowledge needed for designing campgrounds which fit the needs of the campers. Campers were classified into four categories, based on the type of shelter equipment that they use: I. Campers who use travel trailers or motor homes over 23 feet in length. II. Campers who use either travel trailers or motor homes less than 23 feet in length, or pickup truck campers or vans with plumbing facilities (shower, toilet, sink). III. Campers who use either pickup truck campers or vans without plumbing facilities, or tent trailers. IV. Campers who use tents. Data for the study were obtained from 413 personal interviews which were conducted in three campgrounds at Chicot State Park in Louisiana. Questions revealing type of equipment owned and desired, camping experience, socioeconomic characteristics, reasons for camping and characteristics of a preferred campsite were asked each respondent. Chi-square analysis, Duncan's Multiple Range Statistical Test and one-way analysis of variance were used to determine which characteristics were significantly different between the camper classes. Results showed that the four classes had unique socioeconomic characteristics, suggesting that each class was different from the others, The data revealed that only three of the four classes of campers had different campsite preferences. Campers in Classes I and II generally desired the same campsite attributes. Respondents who camped on weekdays had different characteristics from those who camped on weekends. These findings suggest that campsites should not be designed to accommodate all types of campers. Three different types of campsites are desired by the four classes of campers. If it is impractical to provide three types of campsites in an area, then efforts should be made to design two types of campsites, one for tent campers and the other for nontent campers. Forcing campers to use campsites with undesirable attributes will not permit them to have maximum enjoyment from their recreational experiences.

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