Upscale camping

Photo by SHERESE GORE | Laker Weekly

Eric LaBorie, co-owner of Camp Karma, said "glamping" targets campers who want to stay for a short visit and those who can't stay with a lot of equipment.

Photo by SHERESE GORE | Laker Weekly

The tents at Camp Karma accommodate four and come with silverware, cots, chairs, cooking equipment, firewood and ice.

Courtesy of Camp Karma

The table is set for campers who experience the outdoors while "glamping" at Camp Karma.

Eric LaBorie, co-owner of Camp Karma in Bedford, said it is "city people" such as Alex Parker and Abby Fox of Richmond who drive his new camping concept, "glamping," or glamorous camping.

"We just wanted to get out of the city for awhile," said Parker.

Lacking camping gear, Parker and Fox were able to partake of a night outdoors thanks to the all-inclusive package at the camp. At $75 a night, glamping allows campers to rent a tent that accommodates four, and provides two chairs and cots, silverware, pots and pans, firewood and ice.

"Basically, it's like being primitive in a glamorous way," said LaBorie.

He said the idea originated from the influx of visitors from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., who came to the Smith Mountain Lake area during the recent mild winter on day trips. It's a concept that's been around for a while but is new to the Smith Mountain Lake area.

His target market is new campers, those with only a night to spend, and people such as motorcyclists, who have limited ability to carry loads of equipment.

"You don't have to worry about anything," he said." You just call and show up."

LaBorie said glamping is a much better alternative to spending several hundred dollars on camping gear and "discover you don't like camping."

"If you look at the economy and gas, people are looking into small vacations without all of the costs."

Camp Karma, 2056 Stone Mountain Road, Bedford. 297-5762 or campkarmavirginia.com