This is what you told me you want CAMP to do in 2024
Back in July, I sent out a poll to everybody on CAMP’s mailing list asking for input about the 2024 season: where should CAMP go next year, what activities we should focus on and so forth. Almost 100 people took the time to fill up the questionnaire. First of all, to each of you: thank you. Your feedback definitely has helped me steer the boat in planning CAMP’s 2024 activities. And if you have indicated that you were willing to help run a local CAMP branch, I will be in touch with you shortly.
Next year it will be CAMP’s fifth anniversary, and I can promise you it will be a blast. Our 2024 calendar is almost 100% completed, and it will be released to everyone on November 1st. You will be able to renew your CAMP membership/join CAMP for 2024 as of October 1st. Those who renew/join between October 1st-31st will have the schedule in advance. I will come back to this in a couple of weeks. But now, without further ado, let’s have a look at what you told me you wanted to do next year, in 2024.
Paved vs off road
CAMP members enjoy both paved and off road, and I am very happy about this. 63% of respondents indicated that they are interested both in paved and off road/dual sport motocamping trips. 28% are only interested in paved options, and 9% only in off road.
I have good news: 2024 will continue to see both paved and unpaved motocamping options. As I said it many times, you can join CAMP with any style of motorcycle. Our members ride sports bikes, cruisers, adventure bikes, sport tourers, naked bikes…even Vespas. And we will keep this approach going for 2024.
Location, Location, Location…
When asked which of this year’s motocamping locations we should keep on the schedule for 2024, Michigan’s UP Peninsula was the clear winner, closely followed by the Trans Wisconsin Adventure ride. Great news: 2024 will see a revised and upgraded CAMP UP S’more (should we dare say…a CAMP UP Rally?) in the month of June, and another Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail ride.
When asked about new locations in the Midwest area, the clear winner was Door County, in WI. As for our Southern options, Virginia was mentioned by almost everybody. I can already anticipate that we will have S’mores in North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. The event in Virginia will be a big one, in October.
In 2023 we organized four off road motocamping rides (two Trans Wisconsin Adventure Rides, a Colorado BDR and a Smokey 500). We asked you where you wanted to off road next year, and the Wisconsin Adventure Ride, the Colorado BDR and the Mid Atlantic BDR were the clear winners. Check back on November 1st to see if they made the list…
Far away….
We have always offered one or two longer motocamping events which can be considered “long distance” for most of our members, 80% of whom are located in the area between the Rockies and Detroit. This year we went to the Rocky Mountains National Park and we are going to the Smoky Mountains National Park next month (still spots left: you can book yours here). 40% of respondents have indicated they are interested in a long distance s’more that would last 5-7 days, and 51% indicated that they MAY BE interested: that’s a lot of yes. Three locations were the winners:
The Smoky Mountains
Colorado Rockies
Black Hills of North Dakota
I can already confirm that we will have the Colorado Rockies in 2024, and we are adding the Black Hills of North Dakota in July. However, we will not go to the same locations in the Smoky Mountains National Park - So if you want to go to the Smokies in Tennessee/Georgia/NC, this year is your chance. HERE.
Finally, 65% of respondents said yes to the idea of a 4-5 days motocamping tour of Lake Michigan /Southern Lake Superior! Come back on November 1st to find out if we are doing this or not…
The NON moto activities
When asked which non-moto activities you are interested in, hiking/backpacking is clearly the winner, with 65%, with water sports right behind. The good news is that for most (if not every) location we have for 2024, there will be the options to go hiking and do water sports.
I also specifically asked if you would be interested in a CAMP canoe camping trip to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota in 2024. 14% said yes, 42% said they were curious and 44% said no. The good thing in this case is that “groups” accessing the Boundary Waters can only be 9 people large, including your guide, so this may still happen. Check back when the schedule is released to find out.
Respondents were split almost evenly about our Bookclub, with 53% saying they are interested, and 47% saying they are not. This is one activity that I personally love, but that it did not have the success I was hoping it would have. We are going to try it again this year.
In terms of next year’s training opportunities, medical emergencies topped the list, followed by GPX routing development, mechanic 101 and fitness related. We are working to make sure we will offer all of these.
Finally, I asked if you were interested in being offered a breakfast and dinner food catering option at our S’mores, and 63% said yes. We will see…
The Next Steps
2024 CAMP schedule will be released to everyone on November 1st. Those who will renew their CAMP membership between October 1s-31st will get the schedule in advance.
Stay tuned!
