Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-10
SOME ARE CLASSED
AS 'SEMECAMPERS'
Differences Shown Between
Real "Back-to Mature" Mo-
florists and Others.

Every human activity has its mid
die grounder," and motor camping is
no exception to this general rule. In
addition to the camper and the non
camper, there is a large class in be-
tween, which, for want of a better
designation, may be identified as the
sem-campers.
The chief difference between the
full-f1edged camper ard the semi
camper is that the former takes his
ack-to-nature" treatment in much
larger doses. The true camper OBJ.
tains his greatest pleasure out of get.
ting deep into some woodland recess
where not even the echoes of civiliza-
ton may reach him. The semi-camp-
er enjoys nature during the daytime,
but at night he prefers the snug,
safe convenience of his own home.
The fact that one may be simply
semi-camper is no reflection on an
individuals courage. In most In
stances it is but a matter of prefer
ring the convenienCes afforded by civ
iization to the relative inconvenience
that usually are associated with
''roughing it" AS a matter of fact,
when the semi-camper learns that the
Inconvenience he has associated with
life beneath the stars do not really
exist for the skilled naturist, he grad.
ually develops into a full.f1edged
camper.
Evolution Going On.
There are more motorists going
through this process of evolution
every year. 1t bespeaks much for
the pleasure that is to be derived from
1t. 1t is not to be questioned that
semi-camping attracts many more
followers than does the more rugged
variety of getting back to nature" in
spite of the fact that hundreds Of
thousands engage every Spring, Sum-
mer and Fall in the latter form.
The all-day outing is the most COM
mon form of semicamping. Millions
express their delight in nature in this
particular medium. Sooner or later,
vast majority of motor car owners
get the idea of breaking life's monot-
onv by packing the hamper full of
edibfes and the automobile full of
relatives and hying forth into the
cool, pure atmosphere of the wool
land. Thus is the germ Of camping
born.
The motorist and his family take
themselves to some quiet, shady glade
and spend pleasant, languid day. It
does not take them long to learn the
lesson that no better form of recre.
alton is available, and the automobile
is no sooner headed for home in the
evening than talk turns to plans for
the next outing.
Meals Cooked in Open.
From the picnic luncheon. another
delightful experience in the life of the
semi-camper unfolds-the meal cooked
in the open. Becoming proficient in
this respect-learning to build and
1l-A !.
the motoriSt has mastered one of
the greatest and, at the same time
most difficult pleasures, that comes to
the full-f1edged devotee Of camping.
The next step is the purchase of
a camping stove which greatly SIM
plifies the task of Mrs. Motorist, who
is accustomed to preparing her meals
on the gas range. Thus, the family
acquires the first article toward it's
camping outfit, one that usually is
destined to see hard service.
From the days spent in the woods,
the meals prepared there, the semi
camper grows to new appreciation
OF the wonders Of nature and in this
way gradually transcends the fears
and misgivings that have held him
back from the full life that is to be
lived in the open.
Contacts with others on one of the
semi-camping expeditions open up
new views on the subject. The fam.
lily that goes on an occasional outing
inevitably will meet another family
that goes in for life in the open for
all it is worth. The first group learns
from the second that one may get
back to nature with every safeguard
thrown around ones life and prop
erty.
Paints Vivid Picture.
The experienced camper is an en-.
thusi2st for its joys, and he paints a
vivid, glowing picture of the delights
that are missed by those who allow
fear or love for conventional comforts
to stay them from the highway.
Usually it takes no more than the
pleasant results of his own experience
and the vistas opened up as others
have recounted their experiences to
convert the semi-camper into a full
fiedged naturist. All that stands be-
tween him and the realization of the
pleasures that he knows exist in 1iv-
ing in the manner of the gypsy Is the
purchase OF the necessary equipment.
For some, of course, semi-camping
seems to be the ultimate. These, how
ever. have found a pleasureable half
way point and in meeting Nature have
discovered that the automobile Is an
agency OF better health and more 10y.
Gus living.
Thus does the semi-camper play his
important role in Americas ever grow.
ing motor parade.