What do trends say to us?

To help camp professionals focus on the trends affecting organized camping and conference centers, this month's "Research Notes" presents trends that have been reported over the past year by American Demographics, a monthly journal focused on current issues, trends, and future directions. As you read, consider the various implications these trends have for you, your staff, and your program.

Population Trends

* Thirty-two million non-Hispanic blacks (12 percent), 28 million Hispanics (11 percent), and 9 million Asian Americans live in the United States. They have a combined spending power of $600 billion per year.

* Forty-five to fifty-four year olds have the highest income of all age groups. Fifty-five to sixty-four year olds have the greatest wealth and the most discretionary time of all age groups. This market represents $150 billion per year in discretionary income.

* More than 20 percent of nineteen to thirty-five year olds live with their parents. Due to their low living expenses they have $125 billion per year in discretionary income.

* The richest Americans spend two-and-one-half times as much as an average household.

* Four million (5.6 percent) children under eighteen years of age live with their grandparents - up 79 percent since 1970. More than two million white youth live with grandparents, the largest racial group to do so.

* The Filipino population in the United States is rising. Filipinos are the second largest group immigrating into the United States. They are more affluent than average and speak English better than other immigrant groups. Filipino immigrants maintain strong ethnic ties to their home country and speak Tagalog at home. Tagalog is now the sixth most common language in the United States.

* In 1998, various cohort groups turn older. The GI generation (born pre-1930) turns sixty-nine years old; those born during the Great Depression (born 1930-39) turn fifty-nine to sixty-eight years old; war babies (born 1940-45) turn fifty-three to fifty-eight; baby boomers (born 1946-64) turn thirty-four to fifty-two; baby busters (born 1965-76) turn twenty-two to thirty-three; those of the baby boomlet generation (1977-94) turn four to twenty-one years old; and those born during the baby echo time period (1995-present) turn up to three years old.

* Twelve percent of Americans aged twenty-five to sixty-four years old have some type of disability, and 64 percent of those need assistance with daily activities. Thirty percent are working, and 18 percent are working full-time.

* Forty-five percent of Americans believe in environmental correctness, but not if it means a loss of jobs. Forty-five percent of people throw away zipper-type plastic bags without reusing them, while 50 percent run tap water until it gets hot or cold before using it. Sixty-six percent of Americans do not turn off the lights when leaving a room, and 8 percent always leave on lights.

Youth and Education

* Youth are aware of the need for higher education. Seven out of ten youth aged thirteen to seventeen expect to go to college; two-thirds of young people eight to seventeen years old say they look forward to going to school; and eight out of ten youth think it's cool to be smart.

* Twenty-nine percent of youngsters say they go to school only to see their friends. Fifty-six percent of children are involved in one or more activities outside of the classroom: 20 percent are involved in junior varsity or varsity sports, 17 percent are in bands or musical groups, and 13 percent play in intramural or club sports. Furthermore, 10 percent of young people are involved in volunteer work, academic clubs, or drama groups. Girls are more apt than boys to be active in extracurricular activities (except in sports) and enjoy going to school more than boys.

Recreation and Leisure

* The likelihood of buying a camera decreases with age and increases with income, education, and children. More than 75 percent of households with children under two years old bought and processed film in 1996, as did sixty-six percent of those with youth aged twelve to seventeen. Those living in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states bought and processed more film than people living in other regions of the country.

* The number of people interested in wildlife viewing dropped 17 percent between 1991 and 1996. Injuries from sports are rising. Of the twenty-five activities tracked by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 60 percent of all injuries and emergency room visits were the result of an injury from cycling or playing basketball, football, baseball, softball, or on playground equipment. Of those, bicycle injuries were the most serious (head injuries caused by not wearing a helmet).

* In 1996, 7.5 million boys and 5.2 million girls aged twelve to seventeen played basketball. Basketball is the third most popular sport for Americans after bowling and fresh water fishing. Fifty-five percent of children from the United States, Japan, Germany, China, Great Britain, and France say their favorite activity is being with friends.

Miscellaneous Trends

* College students were asked who was the one person they most admired. Twenty-three percent of men said their father, 7 percent said their mother, and 8 percent indicated both parents were the people they most admired. Women were more equitable in their thoughts with 16 percent indicating their mother as most admired, followed by 14 percent for their father, and 15 percent for both parents.

* A five-year supply of bottled water costs approximately $1,000; the equivalent amount of tap water costs, $1.65.

* The top five things people dream about are being rich, traveling the world, the future, being smart, and having a better job.

* Fears among Americans are many: 56 percent of Americans fear public speaking, 45 percent are afraid of becoming fat, and 42 percent dislike going out alone at night. Forty-two percent of people fear going to the dentist, 42 percent are afraid of their own death, and 40 percent are afraid of spiders and insects. Swimming in the ocean makes 39 percent of Americans fearful, 38 percent do not like being in high exposed places, and 35 percent are afraid of flying in a plane. Lastly, 27 percent of people are frightened of being in a crowd, 18 percent fear being in the dark, and 10 percent are less than enthusiastic about Friday the Thirteenth.

Trends affect everyone in different ways. As you mull over these trends, think about how each piece of information might impact you, your camp, and your staff. How can you work to strengthen or counteract these trends? How does this information help your staff better understand campers and clients?

Deb Jordan, Re.D., is an associate professor of leisure studies at Oklahoma State University. Send your letters and one-page summaries of research related to camp to: Research Notes, c/o Dr. Deb Jordan, Leisure Studies, 107 Colvin Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078. Note: Only research completed within the past two years will be considered for review.