‘It’s packed’: Camping sites filled at provincial parks over the long weekend

CHEK
WatchMore campers than ever are filling provincial parks as out-of-province travel plans were cancelled due to COVID-19. The local travel is helping some businesses.

Campsites at the Goldstream Provincial Park are full this Labour Day Long Weekend.

“It’s so busy, every campground I pass by, it’s occupied with a family,” said Tara Montgomery, a camper at the park.

As the sun shines, tents are pitched, and RVs are hitched, with camping more popular than ever in 2020 as many out of province travel plans were cancelled due to COVID-19.

“Every campsite we’ve been to, Goldstream, Gordon Bay, it’s been packed,” said Goldstream camper Vince Moriarity. “So I think there’s a lot more activity.”

He also says the behaviour at campsites has changed over the last couple of months.

“It just seems there’s not as many people around the campsite and walking their dogs. There are still people, but they’re keeping to their campsites,” said Moriarity.

Camper Richard Lane came with his family, and is looking for the silver lining in the midst of a pandemic saying, “If there’s one nice side of it, is it pushed people outside to actually enjoy nature.”

And with the sudden camping fever on the island, some camping necessities have been hard to find.

“Trying to get a mosquito repellent was difficult,” said Lane.

“Driving up the island, we stopped at every Canadian Tire from Duncan to Nanaimo. None of them had any air pumps,” said Cameron Cooper.

But small camping items aren’t the only thing selling out.

READ MORE: Business booms for Vancouver Island outdoor stores as provincial campgrounds book up

“Business surged on a national level, we haven’t seen anything like it in 20 years,” said Andy Holden of Galaxy RV Victoria.

The dealerships once RV-packed lot is nearly empty after seeing a record-breaking spike in sales. Holden says this shop saw a 400 per cent increase from before COVID-19.

“Quite frankly, earlier this year I was really concerned about the industry,” admitted Holden. “I thought we were going to fall off a cliff, but with the lockdowns and the people being sequestered away, it gave them an opportunity to get out with their families in a very safe environment.”

An option many families took up, like the Eisert family.

“We came out here today to feel normal, to get out and be with nature, and to take a break from the craziness that we’ve been a part of for the last six months,” said Greg Eisert, who is camping in Goldstream with his son Aidan.

But for this family, this weekend is about much more than just getting outside.

“To give this guy a chance to feel what it’s like to be a kid,” said Greg. “It’s a different world, and to explain it to a six-year-old boy why everyone is wearing masks, it’s hard.”

“Coming here, brings us a happy time. We can be ourselves. We can still be safe and be a kid and laugh and enjoy the beautiful Goldstream, it’s tough being a kid during this time.”

 

Rebecca LawrenceRebecca Lawrence

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