Sitting around the campfire while making s'mores... and surfing the Internet?
It seems campers this year in Prince George are making sure that their campsites are fully equipped with shower facilities, running water and Wi-Fi access.
Many parks across Canada are introducing the service, much to the chagrin to the hard-core, old-school camping community, who believe going camping should include going offline, as well as the off the grid.
But that's not necessarily the case for Prince George campers.
Local RV parks have noticed this summer more people are looking for Internet connectivity when they pitch their tents.
"This summer, I've noticed [people wanting Internet access more than any other summer]... We've been offering Wi-Fi for at least seven summers. When we took [the grounds over] we started offering it, then we've been trying to continue offering that service," said Robin Crantz, one of the owners of Hartway RV Park on Kelly Road.
Crantz doesn't charge her customers extra, it's part of the services provided at the campground because campers don't usually spend long periods of time online.
"Most of the traveling public want to connect very briefly and check their e-mails," said Valerie Tremblay, one of the park managers of South Park RV, off the Cariboo Highway.
"We have Wi-Fi here and we get quite a few Americans who come through and a lot of them use it to keep in touch with family," said Tremblay.
"They are more annoyed if you don't offer it. It's usually the first thing people ask, whether we have Internet. Some people say they are on holidays so they don't need it, but that's the minority of people," said Tremblay.
But it's a different story for people camping in Purden Lake Provincial Park.
Due to the size of the park, any connectivity is difficult.
"We barely have cell service and a lot of our parks are really massive," said Don Stephens, the park permittee.
Stephens conducts surveys to determine whether it's a service the park would consider offering.
"As many people insist we don't install Wi-Fi as those that want it. So about 30 per cent really want it, 30 per cent say don't ever get it and then the rest don't care," said Stephens, who does admit that having Internet access would make communicating with his staff easier.
"I have to communicate with our staff online, so we've had to install some boosters throughout the park. But if I was going out camping with my kids, I wouldn't go anywhere near a place that had Wi-Fi," said Stephens.
"I don't even take a motor home. But if I could make more revenue then I would offer it. But the numbers of people that want Wi-Fi aren't enough."
Purden Lake is five square kilometres and there isn't any electricity for even the ranger cabins. They might offer Internet stations next year at Bear Lake.
Many parks across Canada are bringing in Internet access, but most of B.C. isn't following suit just yet.
Just one park in Northern B.C., Meziadin Lake Provincial Park, offers Wi-Fi and it's in a very remote area, so it's mostly for safety reasons.
BC Parks says the ministry isn't looking at bringing it in yet, but adds that could change depending on the individual operators wishes.
