An exciting new pop-up event is set to bring a little bit of nature to Glasgow's city centre at the start of next month.
The pop-up campsite will be appearing on Argyle Street on Friday, June 2, between 9 am and 5 pm, for one day only, with passers-by encouraged to take time out of their day to enjoy a moment with nature among a scene of greenery, accompanied by the sounds and smells associated with the great Scottish countryside.
As part of the experience, members of the public will be invited to relax and unwind in a unique camping pod, with a short, guided meditation exercise recorded by broadcaster and President of The Camping and Caravanning Club, Julia Bradbury, helping them to reconnect with nature.
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The immersive campsite experience has been created by The Camping and Caravanning Club to mark National Camping and Caravanning Week, the organisation’s annual celebration of camping, touring and the great outdoors which this year runs from May 29 to June 4.
It comes as a new university report reveals those who go camping are happier than those who don’t, with a study of 10,992 people finding 48 per cent of campers feel happy almost every day compared to just 35 per cent of non-campers.
According to the findings, 88 per cent of campers pitch up on a campsite to take time out of everyday life and have significantly higher levels of psychological, emotional, and social well-being, with campers feeling more connected to nature.
The Outjoyment Report was carried out by academic experts at Liverpool John Moores University and Sheffield Hallam University and commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club.
It also found that those who participate in the outdoor pastime are 23 per cent less anxious than those who don’t.
Alongside The Outjoyment Report, the Club surveyed a further 2,000 adults who live in an urban or suburban area, to explore how frequently they are able to access green spaces.
The additional research from OnePoll found nearly half (46 per cent) said living in the city or suburbs means they don’t get to enjoy nature as much as they’d like, while 30 per cent would like to get out of the city more often.
Julia Bradbury, who has supported the launch of the ‘Outjoyment Pod’ to help promote the benefits of being outdoors, said: “Spending time outdoors has proven benefits for both your mental and physical wellbeing, and the Outjoyment Report has revealed those who camp are happier, more connected to nature and enjoy better wellbeing than those who don’t.
“With the research clearly highlighting the positive impact of being outdoors, we are taking to the streets of Glasgow with our pop-up camping pod to encourage the public to take a few moments out of their busy day to relax, unwind and enjoy a few calming breaths – giving them the chance to swap their busy city lives for just a few moments of pure outjoyment.”
The Outjoyment Report also found 91 per cent of campers embark on the hobby as it makes them feel relaxed. Meanwhile, 97 per cent say it makes them feel happy, with 93 per cent value camping for the benefits it gives to their health and wellbeing.
Anyone visiting the pod will also have the chance to win a Swift Monza Campervan, worth over £65,000, to help them take their first steps into the great outdoors.
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