“I was shocked with just how white it was there,” she said.

If someone wants to camp. they will. No matter what color. If they don't they won't no matter what color. End of problem. Oh! Snap!. there wasn't a problem. Never mind

Grit dog wrote:
Lol
Buncha old white......men arguing about why black people don’t camp!
Classic....

Well, beats the heck out of belaboring the tires arguments, and gas/diesel disagreements. This one actually can mean something. Of course that's if you have an open mind. :)

It's not as simple as "they don't want to go camping". Many people (of all backgrounds) have never experienced nature. They live in cities or suburbs and never range outside of that area, so they never learn what else is out there.

Ca!ifornia State Parks has a program to get kids from inner cities out camping. It has been ongoing for years and is considered an important and successful program.

There are PSAs sponsored by the National Forests, etc., encouraging families of all backgrounds to get out into the forests.

And yes, some folks worry about the reaction to their going camping. An ex-co-worker and his friends would go camping, but are concerned about the reaction when a group of male hispanics show up in a campground. Unfortunately, people are not always welcoming and are willing (even eager) to assume the worst.

In the end, yes, there is a disconnect between camping and minorities. If the industry sees an opportunity to bridge that then more power to them.

I have never understood the negativity towards attempts of inclusion. Inclusion is good.

Lol
Buncha old white......men arguing about why black people don’t camp!
Classic....

"But...is it comparable or just some feeling white guilt due to the current narratives pushed?"

I couldn't say about white guilt because I don't feel white guilt, whatever that is. I've done nothing to feel guilty about. I've owned no slaves, my parents or any relatives I'm familiar with never owned slaves, I've never supported segregation, and while my father was a vocal racist, he was a equal-opportunity racist, he didn't like anybody that didn't look like a WASP. I have never understood his dislike but that was him, and not me.

"I live in an area where I am the minority. Everyone in my local and social circles have similar economic status and access to services."

There is some disagreement on this particular item by many people. Some people feel that white people have an inherent advantage in most things because of their skin color. They are rarely watched closely when out shopping, they tend to get loans easier, and even job placements and advancements tend to be awarded to people with skin of white. These are peoples' opinions, not necessarily mine, but some feel that way.

Some discrimination is very subtle and unconscious, some blatant and overt. I grew up with it and have observed it over the years, and it still exists, however I firmly believe it is getting better. But a lot of that is through the effort of groups like the one that is being taken to task in this thread.

I know lots of people of many different races. Some acquaintances, and a lot of friends of varied cultures and colors. I don't know the reasons or if any of it has to do with culture, but aside from Hispanics and whites, the reaction I get from most other people is "why would I want to do that"? I even get that reaction from most white and Hispanic friends of ours.

I do know one black man I used to work with that loves camping, in a tent. And fishing. He's retired now and has been traveling a lot, around the world. He had no desire for an RV, and trust me this guy can afford anything he wants.

Regarding KOA being involved in these discussions, maybe they are trying to boost their credibility after this incident.

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Since I didn't apparently give enough foundation to my prior post.
While in college at Virginia Tech, a group of friends used to go to a nearby state park twice a year, the black students, who had no problem hanging out with us at the campus or at bars in town would not go on the group camping trips, their reasons were given as we just got somewhere air conditioning and good beds, he$$ no were not gonna go sleep on the ground. They were there on scholarships and from lower income families, and admitted that they couldnt understand why someone would go lay on the ground with the bugs and stuff when they could party in the dorm.
When station in St Louis in the Coast Guard, my little 14 person crew on a bouy tender was looking at putting together a unit party, I suggested camping, and the two black crewmembers said basically the same things.
In both cases the comments were said as if they were half joking, but that both incidents hundreds of miles and several years apart got similar responses is why I stated that.
In my prior post I was trying to state that without the dissertation that one member here apparently wanted.

And you base your conclusion on how minorities feel about camping on your results from a total of two instances of very small numbers. No dissertation necessary, but you have to admit two instances over many years with very few numbers is hardly a basis for concluding that minorities don't like to camp for the reasons you gave.

Personally I have no idea whether minorities like to camp or not. I don't consider myself qualified to say. I like to RV so that already puts me in a minority of white people.

Since I didn't apparently give enough foundation to my prior post.
While in college at Virginia Tech, a group of friends used to go to a nearby state park twice a year, the black students, who had no problem hanging out with us at the campus or at bars in town would not go on the group camping trips, their reasons were given as we just got somewhere air conditioning and good beds, he$$ no were not gonna go sleep on the ground. They were there on scholarships and from lower income families, and admitted that they couldnt understand why someone would go lay on the ground with the bugs and stuff when they could party in the dorm.
When station in St Louis in the Coast Guard, my little 14 person crew on a bouy tender was looking at putting together a unit party, I suggested camping, and the two black crewmembers said basically the same things.
In both cases the comments were said as if they were half joking, but that both incidents hundreds of miles and several years apart got similar responses is why I stated that.
In my prior post I was trying to state that without the dissertation that one member here apparently wanted.

fj12ryder wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
Why is that even a topic. People are either going to go RV’ing/camping or not. Doesn’t matter who you are. You either want to go or you don’t.
Sounds like a group looking for a problem to create a solution!!!!

No, it looks like a group seeking a solution to a problem, but a problem not recognized by many people. Very similar to what also wasn't really considered a problem in the 50's and 60's: segregation. Just because there's no "White Only" signs doesn't mean that non-whites will feel at ease in these surroundings.

But...is it comparable or just some feeling white guilt due to the current narratives pushed?

I live in an area where I am the minority. Everyone in my local and social circles have similar economic status and access to services.

I go camping and other things "outdoorsy" that many around me could care less. They have other hobbies and traditions that make them happy and nostalgic of their youth or background. Not once have they ever expressed they are oppressed without an opportunity to do the things I enjoy. And I have never felt left out or bitter because I don't necessarily prioritize the thing others in my community enjoy.

Not sure what is supposed to happen. By the lady's own statistics, minorities make up a very small percentage of RV'ers. There is nothing stopping minorities from buying and running parks, other than there is very little historical interest in RV parks in general throughout the minority communities. As for management, somewhat the same issues. Not too many minorities have the interest or the background to be in park management. Then there is the demographics of KOA corporate's location. Billings Montana is very much an ethnically non-diverse community. It is over 90% white, with the largest minority group being American Indian at nearly 5%. Blacks, Latinos and other ethnic groups are less than 1% of the population. The city has a population of around 100,000 total. That means there is probably less than 300 people within each of those ethnic groups even of employable age, irrespective of skill level or interest.