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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
30 vintage photos show how different camping used to be
Camping didn't always involve luxury RVs, watching movies on iPads, or state-of-the-art campgrounds. Camping has evolved from sleeping under the stars to camping out at music festivals and events. These vintage photos show there's nothing more nostalgic than sleeping in a tent in nature. While technology has made recreational camping more comfortable, there's something nostalgic about how basic it used to be. Today, decked-out RVs can cost $20,000 to $100,000, but the price of luxury RVs can reach as high as $2 million, according to HomeGuide. In the 1930s and following decades, however, recreational campers primarily set up simple tents or basic caravans to spend time with their friends and family outdoors. And today, simpler camping can be a great option for families wanting to spend time together — without spending a fortune — as the cost of living climbs. These photos show what recreational camping used to be like. They might even inspire you to try it for yourself before the summer is over. Recreational camping looked different a century ago. In 1940, the Regional Review called camping "an American tradition," according to a copy of the article shared by the National Park Service. Starting in the mid-to-late 1800s, people camped for fun in North America, according to Britannica. As people increasingly sought to escape cities, organizations such as the Appalachian Mountain Club began to crop up. At the turn of the 20th century, books such as "The Camper's Handbook" continued to ignite interest, and throughout the century, organized camping grew in popularity. In 1930, before the Great Depression really took hold, there were more than 3 million campers across the US, The Dyrt reported, citing Terence Young, the author of "Heading Out: A History of American Camping." While the basic idea of camping was the same as we now know it — sleeping outdoors — the gear was markedly different. Camping originally just involved the campers, the outdoors, and some simple cooking ware. The shelter was simple, too: People would often sleep beneath a sheet held up by sticks and string. If you went camping like this group in France in 1930, you were unreservedly experiencing nature. These simple tents were used regardless of weather conditions. There was usually no electricity for miles, and campers had to make do with whatever heat sources they had — whether that be fires, blankets, or huddling together for warmth. Depression-era camping trips focused on minimalist campsites and limited gear. By the Great Depression, with nearly one in four Americans unemployed in 1932, camping was considered a cost-efficient, resourceful vacation compared to train fares and costly accommodations. The lack of technology made the experience much more authentic, but also more work-intensive. There was a lot more manual labor involved with getting set up and making food than in campsites of the future, which might have access to full kitchens or electricity. Regular morning routines had to be done without a bathroom or mirror. Basic grooming was still expected. Even just making tea could be a chore. Campers had to gather everything from the outdoors if they didn't bring water or other supplies with them. Hammers had to be schlepped to the campsite. Tent pegs were often wooden, not plastic, and had to be hammered into the ground. But the work was part of the fun. Part of the allure of going camping was the authenticity of living outdoors, even if just for the night. People still found ways to make their camping trips a little more comfortable. Campers would bring furniture, books, and other items from home to make their time in the great outdoors more comfortable. Forget the paper plates — some campers brought actual porcelain dinnerware. While this may seem impractical today, it certainly made for a more sophisticated camping excursion. Early on, camping was often done out of necessity during long travels. But over time, it became a more common recreational activity for people. The appeal of having no distractions while enjoying quality time with friends endures. Boy Scouts went on camping trips every year after their establishment in 1910. Campgrounds, as we know them today, weren't really established until the 1930s when the National Park Service developed "Recreation Demonstration Areas," according to the National Park Service. The Girl Scouts were established in 1912, and wilderness survival was also at their core. Apparently, the first official mention of s'mores appeared in a Girl Scouts manual in 1927, according to Reserve America. As the years passed, camping became more involved. People started bringing more with them on camping trips. Rather than just setting up tents, people began bringing RVs. RVs have also evolved. Starting as small cabins built onto the back of regular cars in the 1910s, they eventually evolved into homes, and even mansions, on wheels. The famous Volkswagen Westfalia Camper was an instant classic for campers and road trippers alike. While the VW bus, as it is better known, came out in the '50s, it reached peak popularity in the '70s. It is one of the most iconic road trip vehicles in history, and synonymous with wanderlust. Having camper vans meant being able to bring more of the luxuries of home, from barware ... Camping, as a result, became easier. ... to decorative lanterns. Who says camping needs to mean roughing it? Camper vans also allowed campers to be more comfortable. Instead of sleeping outside, you could have some protection by staying inside your car, or even kick back on a seat that converted into a bed. One could now avoid truly living in the elements. Everyone wants to be close to nature ... but not too close. Once campers were able to have more cover from nature, they did that instead. Camping became more comfortable, meaning campers could now spend days or even weeks at a time in the wilderness. Camping also became a way to get good seats at events. People sometimes spent days camping outside ahead of an event. People would camp to stake out good spots at festivals. Camping is still used as accommodation at modern festivals like Bonnaroo. By the 1960s, camping was no longer just a necessity — it was a popular recreational activity. However, many campsites were still segregated, meaning only white visitors had access to certain parks and campgrounds. Writers of the Beat Generation popularized camping the old-fashioned way in the '60s. The Beat Generation was a literary movement made up of a group of writers who wrote about American culture using a stream-of-consciousness writing method. Jack Kerouac, a popular writer of the time, wrote about the times he slept outside on the beach in Big Sur, which he later published in his 1962 novel "Big Sur." The Beat Generation romanticized the idea of living on the road. To this day, their raw stories about traveling constantly and taking odd jobs to survive encourage readers to live more in tune with nature. Many state and national parks upheld segregation until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, limiting access to these outdoor spaces for Black citizens. However, Black people and families still made use of desegregated parks and campsites or used parks and campgrounds that were designated only for Black citizens. These parks, like Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, became places of community for Black families and received thousands of visitors each year, Atlas Obscura reported. After state and national parks were mandated to be desegregated, many of the Black-only parks closed or were absorbed by surrounding parks, according to the National Park Service. Traditional camping will likely remain a popular activity for years to come, regardless of technological advancements. In fact, the more dependent we become on technology, the more people might like to retreat into nature for a few days. Camping may keep changing, but it will never go out of style. There's been a statistical rise in camping over the past decade. According to Kampgrounds of America's 2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality report, active campers have increased by 67% in the last 10 years, and one in four leisure trips are for camping. As families try to find affordable summer activities, we may see even more campers seeking the great outdoors this summer. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
30 vintage photos show how different camping used to be
Camping didn't always involve luxury RVs, watching movies on iPads, or state-of-the-art campgrounds. Camping has evolved from sleeping under the stars to camping out at music festivals and events. These vintage photos show there's nothing more nostalgic than sleeping in a tent in nature. While technology has made recreational camping more comfortable, there's something nostalgic about how basic it used to be. Today, decked-out RVs can cost $20,000 to $100,000, but the price of luxury RVs can reach as high as $2 million, according to HomeGuide. In the 1930s and following decades, however, recreational campers primarily set up simple tents or basic caravans to spend time with their friends and family outdoors. And today, simpler camping can be a great option for families wanting to spend time together — without spending a fortune — as the cost of living climbs. These photos show what recreational camping used to be like. They might even inspire you to try it for yourself before the summer is over. Recreational camping looked different a century ago. In 1940, the Regional Review called camping "an American tradition," according to a copy of the article shared by the National Park Service. Starting in the mid-to-late 1800s, people camped for fun in North America, according to Britannica. As people increasingly sought to escape cities, organizations such as the Appalachian Mountain Club began to crop up. At the turn of the 20th century, books such as "The Camper's Handbook" continued to ignite interest, and throughout the century, organized camping grew in popularity. In 1930, before the Great Depression really took hold, there were more than 3 million campers across the US, The Dyrt reported, citing Terence Young, the author of "Heading Out: A History of American Camping." While the basic idea of camping was the same as we now know it — sleeping outdoors — the gear was markedly different. Camping originally just involved the campers, the outdoors, and some simple cooking ware. The shelter was simple, too: People would often sleep beneath a sheet held up by sticks and string. If you went camping like this group in France in 1930, you were unreservedly experiencing nature. These simple tents were used regardless of weather conditions. There was usually no electricity for miles, and campers had to make do with whatever heat sources they had — whether that be fires, blankets, or huddling together for warmth. Depression-era camping trips focused on minimalist campsites and limited gear. By the Great Depression, with nearly one in four Americans unemployed in 1932, camping was considered a cost-efficient, resourceful vacation compared to train fares and costly accommodations. The lack of technology made the experience much more authentic, but also more work-intensive. There was a lot more manual labor involved with getting set up and making food than in campsites of the future, which might have access to full kitchens or electricity. Regular morning routines had to be done without a bathroom or mirror. Basic grooming was still expected. Even just making tea could be a chore. Campers had to gather everything from the outdoors if they didn't bring water or other supplies with them. Hammers had to be schlepped to the campsite. Tent pegs were often wooden, not plastic, and had to be hammered into the ground. But the work was part of the fun. Part of the allure of going camping was the authenticity of living outdoors, even if just for the night. People still found ways to make their camping trips a little more comfortable. Campers would bring furniture, books, and other items from home to make their time in the great outdoors more comfortable. Forget the paper plates — some campers brought actual porcelain dinnerware. While this may seem impractical today, it certainly made for a more sophisticated camping excursion. Early on, camping was often done out of necessity during long travels. But over time, it became a more common recreational activity for people. The appeal of having no distractions while enjoying quality time with friends endures. Boy Scouts went on camping trips every year after their establishment in 1910. Campgrounds, as we know them today, weren't really established until the 1930s when the National Park Service developed "Recreation Demonstration Areas," according to the National Park Service. The Girl Scouts were established in 1912, and wilderness survival was also at their core. Apparently, the first official mention of s'mores appeared in a Girl Scouts manual in 1927, according to Reserve America. As the years passed, camping became more involved. People started bringing more with them on camping trips. Rather than just setting up tents, people began bringing RVs. RVs have also evolved. Starting as small cabins built onto the back of regular cars in the 1910s, they eventually evolved into homes, and even mansions, on wheels. The famous Volkswagen Westfalia Camper was an instant classic for campers and road trippers alike. While the VW bus, as it is better known, came out in the '50s, it reached peak popularity in the '70s. It is one of the most iconic road trip vehicles in history, and synonymous with wanderlust. Having camper vans meant being able to bring more of the luxuries of home, from barware ... Camping, as a result, became easier. ... to decorative lanterns. Who says camping needs to mean roughing it? Camper vans also allowed campers to be more comfortable. Instead of sleeping outside, you could have some protection by staying inside your car, or even kick back on a seat that converted into a bed. One could now avoid truly living in the elements. Everyone wants to be close to nature ... but not too close. Once campers were able to have more cover from nature, they did that instead. Camping became more comfortable, meaning campers could now spend days or even weeks at a time in the wilderness. Camping also became a way to get good seats at events. People sometimes spent days camping outside ahead of an event. People would camp to stake out good spots at festivals. Camping is still used as accommodation at modern festivals like Bonnaroo. By the 1960s, camping was no longer just a necessity — it was a popular recreational activity. However, many campsites were still segregated, meaning only white visitors had access to certain parks and campgrounds. Writers of the Beat Generation popularized camping the old-fashioned way in the '60s. The Beat Generation was a literary movement made up of a group of writers who wrote about American culture using a stream-of-consciousness writing method. Jack Kerouac, a popular writer of the time, wrote about the times he slept outside on the beach in Big Sur, which he later published in his 1962 novel "Big Sur." The Beat Generation romanticized the idea of living on the road. To this day, their raw stories about traveling constantly and taking odd jobs to survive encourage readers to live more in tune with nature. Many state and national parks upheld segregation until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, limiting access to these outdoor spaces for Black citizens. However, Black people and families still made use of desegregated parks and campsites or used parks and campgrounds that were designated only for Black citizens. These parks, like Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, became places of community for Black families and received thousands of visitors each year, Atlas Obscura reported. After state and national parks were mandated to be desegregated, many of the Black-only parks closed or were absorbed by surrounding parks, according to the National Park Service. Traditional camping will likely remain a popular activity for years to come, regardless of technological advancements. In fact, the more dependent we become on technology, the more people might like to retreat into nature for a few days. Camping may keep changing, but it will never go out of style. There's been a statistical rise in camping over the past decade. According to Kampgrounds of America's 2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality report, active campers have increased by 67% in the last 10 years, and one in four leisure trips are for camping. As families try to find affordable summer activities, we may see even more campers seeking the great outdoors this summer. Read the original article on Business Insider
Miami Herald
01-08-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Largest RV dealer reports strong profit despite closing 16 stores
Owning a recreational vehicle (RV) and spending a year, or a few years, traveling around the world is still a dream for me and my husband. When we were younger, we often wondered why people whom we usually saw driving RVs were always older than us (we were in our early 20s then). It didn't take long to figure it out - the expense. RVs are quite pricey, but the cost matches the offering - adventurous, unrestrained, and liberating traveling. The best kind! Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter How much does an RV cost? According to HomeGuide, it's between $20,000 and $600,000 on average. Or more precisely: $20,000 – $100,000 average towable RV price;$50,000 – $600,000 average RV motorhome price;Up to $5,000,000 for a luxury RV. Thankfully, for those who are still not able to own one, there are options of renting or buying a used one. Over the last couple of years, RVs have become more popular. It started with the Covid pandemic when travel trailer sales experienced a notable boost, earning them the nickname "Covid campers." Many Americans were desperate to travel during the crisis but feared being infected. The safest option turned out to be a camper. And the popularity of RVs seems to have continued in the post-pandemic environment. Camping World (CWH) is one of the biggest retailers of RVs, RV accessories, and RV-related services in the United States. It has operated for 59 years and went public nine years ago, raising $251 million. Related: Delta Air Lines faces pushback over new pricing policies On July 29, the retailer posted impressive second-quarter results with $2 billion in revenue, up 9.4% from the same period last year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share missed analysts' estimates, delivering $0.57 instead of the projected $0.6. However, earnings per share improved 50% from the previous quarter. More importantly, Camping World set a record in quarterly RV sales, selling 45,602 units - including 26,696 new and 18,906 used units - in the three months ended June 30. Both new and used RV sales improved over 20%, indicating the popularity of RVs, writes RVtravel. The largest RV dealer has also faced challenges in the last few months. Since January, the company has had to lay off 1,000 employees. "That's an unfortunate circumstance, but we have made the hard cuts," explained Camping World CEO Marcus A. Lemonis during an earnings conference. More Retail: Supermarket inflation: Beef prices soar as egg prices fallPopular energy drink pulled from shelves for containing vodkaAmazon's quiet pricing twist on tariffs stuns shoppers Over the last five to six months, the company closed 16 stores, but this helped it raise unit count per store, improving profitability and margin profile per store. One of the store closures was particularly unusual. It all started in October 2024, when Camping World hung a gigantic American flag at the company's location on the corner of Evans Street and Red Banks Road in Greenville, North Carolina. Related: Popular energy drink pulled from shelves for containing vodka According to council members, the flag is close to the size of a basketball court and flies on a 130-foot-tall pole, almost double the size of the current regulations. City lawmakers voted to take legal action against the flag because it violates city ordinance, and they fined Lemonis $15,000. The dispute impacted the company's business in Greenville, as the company had to close one of its two stores there. The lawsuit was officially filed in June and is costing the city a whole lot of money - thousands in taxpayer dollars. In early July, Camping World was said to be facing $27,500 in fines, while the city is fining it $250 per day until the flag is removed or complies with the rules, reports News ABC 12. Camping World Representatives requested 30 more days to respond to the suit, taking matters into August. So far, Lemonis reiterated several times he has no plans to take the flag down, as it represents something very personal for him - a symbol of his childhood dream. Looking forward, business-wise, Lemonis says the company is confident in its "mid-cycle earnings power." It projects to generate well over $500 million of adjusted EBITDA and aims to expand gross margins by 100 basis points over the next 18 months. Earlier in June, Camping World expressed support for the One Big Beautiful Bill, especially praising the RV loan interest deduction provision, which would "provide RV families with long overdue affordability relief after years of rising inflation, and stubbornly high interest rates." Year-to-date, Camping World's shares have dropped 34.35%, trading at $13.84 per share. Related: US travel industry faces huge setback from One Big Beautiful Bill Act The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida man faces 20 years in prison for scamming customers out of $1.3M, leaving them with unfinished pools
Putting a pool in your backyard is a major decision — costing upwards of $100,000, according to HomeGuide — that inevitably involves disruption. But for Tampa Bay-area clients of Olympus Pools, the cost and disruption were far more than they bargained for. As WFLA News Channel 8 reports, hundreds were left with nothing but holes in their backyards and bank accounts, their money swindled by Olympus Pools' former owner James Staten. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) In May, he was sentenced to 20 years of prison followed by 30 years of probation — found guilty of 35 felony counts, including multiple counts of grand theft and contractor fraud. 'The sentence in this case is based on the fact that, out of all the testimony, you willfully ruined people's lives,' Judge Mary Handsel said during the sentencing. At the hearing, the prosecutor read victim impact statements to convey just how much damage Staten caused beyond unfinished pools, including this one: 'James Staten stole nearly $25,000 from us, leaving us with an unfinished pool and a shattered sense of security. Because of his actions we were forced to dip into our 401k to complete the work, setting back not just our retirement but also our daughter's college fund.' Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it In addition to his prison sentence, Staten must pay more than $1 million in restitution to be distributed to victims. He's also barred from owning a business or having any credit cards while he's on probation. At one time, Staten's business — Lutz, Florida-based Olympus Pools — claimed to be the largest pool builder in the state. But Staten shut down the company in July 2021 amid a slew of complaints and what Staten called 'constant negative media coverage.' Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation fined Staten $1.4 million and forced him to surrender his contracting licence. Later that same year, he and his wife filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to prosecutors, Staten collected money from clients despite knowing their pools were unlikely to be built. He used $1.3 million of his clients' money to fund his lifestyle. 'He was stealing money from a lot of us,' former Olympus client Toni Rosier told WFLA. In addition to receiving their fraction of the restitution funding, some former clients may qualify to receive a portion of their money back through the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. However, the amount payable is capped and is unlikely to reimburse many clients for the full amount they lost. So, what steps can you take to prevent this from happening to you? Watch out for contractors who solicit door-to-door because they 'are in the area' or 'have materials left over from a previous job,' the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns. Get multiple quotes for your project and don't rush into a decision. Before making a final decision, verify the contractor's references — and call them. Many people ask for references from previous clients and then fail to call them. Also check Better Business Bureau reports. Confirm that your contractor is licensed and insured. You can check the license with local or state regulators and ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Also look for a contractor who's a member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and ask if they provide a warranty or guarantee. Be vigilant of contractors who pressure you to commit, only accept cash, demand full payment upfront or want you to borrow from a lender they recommend. Also beware if they ask you to get the permits. Get estimates and contracts in writing. The contract should include a timeline, a detailed cost breakdown, procedures for managing changes to the project and steps for resolving disputes. If things go wrong, keep detailed written records of conversations and events. Set up a payment plan contingent on work milestones being completed and don't pay in full upfront. Monitor expenses throughout the project to make sure they align with the estimate and ask for a receipt as proof of full payment once the contract is completed and paid for. Once the project starts, watch out for subcontractors who contact you directly for payment, have frequent or excessive unexpected expenses and materials that are lower quality than what was agreed to in the estimate. Lack of activity at the job site is another red flag. It may seem time-consuming to assess potential contractors and keep on top of their work, but this extra work could end up saving a lot of heartache — and your savings. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
