Change the name. This term is outdated: WildCamping

[Val54]

Can I just ask how many if us have actually used the phrase "wild camping" to a member of the public who is not engaged in our pastime, personally I can't remember one instance. Frankly its a lot of hot aire

 

[Fisherman]

Possibly what’s on offer at Lochore meets the criteria of Aire.
Its run by Fife council, and was opened before the 15 July because it’s not a campsite.

I honestly don’t think we need aires, just a change of attitude towards us, and use of the carparks that are currently off limits to us. Obviously not all car parks are suitable, but many if not most are.

And many of the problems with overuse of some carparks have been created by limiting what car parks are available. We don’t need aires, just more provision of car parking spaces that are already there.

 

[runnach]

I think groups like CAMpRA come and go and lots have tried the campaign thing. Personally I think it’s education some motorhome users need as the places where we’ve been banned from are normally because a carpark gets turned into an unofficial campsite by motorhomes cramming in. East Lothian is a perfect example.
This forum does a pretty good job on the education of how to wild camp responsibly

I agree, frankly people involved with CAMpRA that I wouldn’t want to be associated with and have their own agendas, it will fall apart when they want to see the colour of money for their fighting fund,

I can see it going the same way has John Thompson’s effort, I have a lot of time for John ultimately finance crippled his efforts

 

[edina]

I dislike the fact that a few people can form a group and then assume they have a God given right to talk/act as if they are representative of everyone else.
Personally, I don't want or need council controlled stopping places. The reason the French system works so well is that they haven't got the same obsession for rules and regulations we in the UK have.

 

[Makzine]

I'm with Phil if it ain't broke don't fix it and wild camping is what we do.

 

[Tookey]

I'm with Phil if it ain't broke don't fix it and wild camping is what we do.

But it is brocken, words are communication and when the words are misunderstood by the majority it becomes redundent.....

Being 'gay' now means homosexual because thats what the vast majority of the populous use as a description. That does not make gay meaning 'happy' wrong but rather redundent

 

[Val54]

I agree, frankly people involved with CAMpRA that I wouldn’t want to be associated with and have their own agendas, it will fall apart when they want to see the colour of money for their fighting fund,

I can see it going the same way has John Thompson’s effort, I have a lot of time for John ultimately finance crippled his efforts

I applaud anyone who tries to set the record straight when a group is unfairly tarred because of the actions of others. But I wont be joining CAMpRA, mainly because I think we need to be very careful what we wish for. In my view there is a very real danger that if CAMpRA's campaign gains momentum and is successful in providing "stopovers" or whatever we want to call them; it will be a very short step for Authorities to argue that provision has been made and new blanket bans on overnighting anywhere else are introduced. Just ask a "traveller" what that feels like.

 

[davep10000]

Personally I hate the term wild camping, but respect the view of the majority on this site, and like the site and all it stands for.
I come from a background of backpacking in Scotland where you carry all your needs for a couple of nights or so on your back.
(I still do this occasionally), although probably more likely to use a bothy now I am getting soft and old!
You are then camping (in a tent) in the wild, away from any one else.
The term motorhome stopover is more appropriate.

 

[Val54]

Only last week a lady joined the forum and was confused why she couldnt find the 'tent' bit of the forum. It was her mistake but it does goes to show that due to the name she made an assumption

But she clearly didn't read the strap line under the banner ........ "the wild fun and friendly motorhome community"

 

[Fisherman]

Personally I hate the term wild camping, but respect the view of the majority on this site, and like the site and all it stands for.
I come from a background of backpacking in Scotland where you carry all your needs for a couple of nights or so on your back.
(I still do this occasionally), although probably more likely to use a bothy now I am getting soft and old!
You are then camping (in a tent) in the wild, away from any one else.
The term motorhome stopover is more appropriate.

Yes Dave I totally agree.
If Wild Camping is the preferred name then so be it.
Spent many a night in a bothy to many years ago.
Woke up one morning to two staggs rutting right outside our bothy.
Had some good times in the bothys, met some good people.

 

[Tookey]

But she clearly didn't read the strap line under the banner ........ "the wild fun and friendly motorhome community"

Absolutely agree, it was her mistake but it was an example of misunderstanding the expression. As mentioned earlier, if in passing I had said 'I am going Wild Camping this weekend' to any of those 10 people in the Health Center all of them would have thought I was going to be in a tent but not on a campsite.....exactly what they lady was planning to do.

 

[wildebus]

After reading the above I asked 10 people in the Health Center what the expression 'wild camping' meant to them. Everyone of them said 'in a tent but not on a campsite' and when I asked if you classed a MH in a rural car park as 'wild camping' all said no. I havent adjusted well to the expression either, during my 30's my work and social circle included canoeists, hikers, climbers, bushcrafters etc and in no way would a car park be considered wild camping. I don't disagree with any of Phils points, as far as the dictionary goes he is spot on but in reality the majority of people do not associate the practice with MH's and campervans.

With regards to 'grid'.....the internet, especially You Tube actually determines what the populous call an activity and whether right or wrongly the most understood expression for what we do is 'off grid'

I agree with the above, especially about the last bit I emboldened. When I was working out what to put on a banner, it was clear (to me anyway) that the term "off-grid" would be most recognised one within the UK.

 

[Val54]

There is a lot of navel gazing going on here, as a webmaster you really wouldn't want to change the name of a well established website. Maybe we should all recognise that if anyone is looking for ammunition to discredit us, then the relevant threads on this website completely vindicate our opposition to those who are spoiling our pastime. The name of the forum is a non-issue.

 

[Fisherman]

There is a lot of navel gazing going on here, as a webmaster you really wouldn't want to change the name of a well established website. Maybe we should all recognise that if anyone is looking for ammunition to discredit us, then the relevant threads on this website completely vindicate our opposition to those who are spoiling our pastime. The name of the forum is a non-issue.

There is a lot of navel gazing going on here, as a webmaster you really wouldn't want to change the name of a well established website. Maybe we should all recognise that if anyone is looking for ammunition to discredit us, then the relevant threads on this website completely vindicate our opposition to those who are spoiling our pastime. The name of the forum is a non-issue.

Val I have two wild camping stickers on my van.
I have nothing against keeping the name of the forum the same.
But I don't think its a non issue, there is an issue, and we are having a debate about it.
Ultimately its up to Phil what he calls the forum.
But there's nothing wrong with discussing the issue.

 

[Tookey]

There is a lot of navel gazing going on here, as a webmaster you really wouldn't want to change the name of a well established website. Maybe we should all recognise that if anyone is looking for ammunition to discredit us, then the relevant threads on this website completely vindicate our opposition to those who are spoiling our pastime. The name of the forum is a non-issue.

But as a webmaster you dont want to miss web traffic and the phrase people will put into google will be "off grid camping forum" if they are looking for this type of site. Someone looking to chat to people who put a rucksack on and sleep in a tent/bivvy bag away from campsites will search "wildcamping forum". Thats what the two expressions now mean

 

[mistericeman]

Personally speaking,

I joined this forum because I considered it fitted the ethos of what I mostly do (camping well away from other folks as much as possible)...

I'm really not concerned that it's name doesn't fully describe what I do...
There are plenty of folks on here that 'wild camping' doesn't fully describe what they do either....

However I consider this place more of a 'state of mind' rather than an exhaustive description of what folks do...

And frankly I've got bigger fish to fry than concern myself with what the site owner wants to call it...

Maybe some people just have too much time on their hands and constantly look for things to change...

Not happy with the name?

Set your own forum up and call it what you want.

 

[Val54]

As I said in post 21, I'm not aware that the phrase "wild camping" is used to any great extent by forum members when talking to anyone other than fellow motorhome owners. When we are going on a trip, we are "off in the van" wherever we are going. The OP implies that it is in regular derogatory use ( which it is in the press) but that Phil should perhaps change the name of the community. Its one thing making it clear that responsible motorhomers don't cause a problem, but it's unreasonable to sow the seeds of name changing when it is someone's livelihood.
PS Its Dave and we have 2 stickers too

 

[Val54]

But as a webmaster you dont want to miss web traffic and the phrase people will put into google will be "off grid camping forum" if they are looking for this type of site. Someone looking to chat to people who put a rucksack on and sleep in a tent/bivvy bag away from campsites will search "wildcamping forum". Thats what the two expressions now mean

I'm sure Phil will be monitoring what search phrases are being used and would want to change it himself if he was losing lots of traffic.

 

[Fisherman]

As I said in post 21, I'm not aware that the phrase "wild camping" is used to any great extent by forum members when talking to anyone other than fellow motorhome owners. When we are going on a trip, we are "off in the van" wherever we are going. The OP implies that it is in regular derogatory use ( which it is in the press) but that Phil should perhaps change the name of the community. Its one thing making it clear that responsible motorhomers don't cause a problem, but it's unreasonable to sow the seeds of name changing when it is someone's livelihood.
PS Its Dave and we have 2 stickers too

Val it’s the word camping that’s become a dirty word for the media.
Unfortunately we are included within the same group that are a disgrace.
When talking to my wife and friends I use the term wild camping, and it’s become habitual now.

 

[Fisherman]

Personally speaking,

I joined this forum because I considered it fitted the ethos of what I mostly do (camping well away from other folks as much as possible)...

I'm really not concerned that it's name doesn't fully describe what I do...
There are plenty of folks on here that 'wild camping' doesn't fully describe what they do either....

However I consider this place more of a 'state of mind' rather than an exhaustive description of what folks do...

And frankly I've got bigger fish to fry than concern myself with what the site owner wants to call it...

Maybe some people just have too much time on their hands and constantly look for things to change...

Not happy with the name?

Set your own forum up and call it what you want.

I think the fact that we are having a civilised debate says a lot for the forum.
And I think it’s important for the ‘state of mind ‘ of the forum that we are able to do this. It’s not about having lots of time, or having bigger fish to fry, or being concerned about anything. As for everyone with a different opinion forming their own forums, I would not wish to be part of a forum who’s condition of membership was to always agree with what’s posted. Having varying opinions on a forum is healthy and conducive to an excellent forum, which I think this one is.