The Gateway to Nature from the Virtual: A Netnographic Study on Camping Virtual Communities

Abstract

Since camping is a concept that shares common features with extraordinary emotional experiences such as social interaction, self-renewal and relaxation in relation to nature, it is a very popular recreational activity today. The aim of this study is to examine the behaviors, attitudes and camping experiences of individuals who are members of camping virtual communities in Turkey. For this purpose, netnography method was used in the study. Netnography is a special approach that allows ethnographic research on the Internet. During the data collection process, the most actively used forum and Facebook pages related to camping were examined. According to the findings of this study, five main categories as \"search for knowledge\", \"technical information\", \"recommendations\", \"dangers\" and \"camp diaries\" and seven subcategories as \"beginners\", \"campsite rush\", \"getting into a sleeping bag\", \"cold related issues\", \"fighting insects\", “experience\" and \"pleasure\" are reported. In line with the emerging categories, it is seen that individuals who are members of camping virtual communities share information and experience with each other on many camp-related issues, as well as make recommendations.