Akademik

n.

A form of camping that includes expensive equipment, fine food, and other luxuries. [Blend of glamor and camping.]

—glamper n.

Open from May through September, this Canadian resort is a top destination for "glamping," or glamor camping. Guests at Clayoquot stay in one of 20 tents, but these canvas contraptions are tricked out better than most city apartments: fancy carpets, oil lamps, antique furniture, a cozy fire at the push of a button. In other words, heavy on the glamor, light on the camping.

—Lori Rackl, "Nature or nurture?," Chicago Sun Times, September 19, 2007

I've seen all the free publicity you're getting these days as reporters for various newspapers, magazines and travel magazines schlep out to Montan-ee to experience "glamour camping," or "glamping," as some genius somewhere chose to label it.

I get the idea: You cater to Americans who are richer, dumber and, more important, lazier than they ever have been. You charge them 600 bucks and up per night to put them up in frame tents with king-size beds, fine imported linens, electricity and phones, deluxe chef-prepared meals — and even their own "camping butler."

That'd be me.

The camping butler's job, from what I can tell, is to cater to the every need of his assigned glampers — anything from turning down the beds at night to driving a herd of elk through the campsite for up-close digital photo opportunities.

—Ron Judd, "Sign me up as a Montana `camping butler'," Seattle Times, September 11, 2007

These days it's more "glamping" than camping, with the best companies offering state-of-the-art pre-erected tents and luxe mobile homes with ensuite bathrooms that feel like an Oscar-winner's trailer.

—Susan Ward Davies, "Know before you go," The Guardian, February 19, 2005