An especially harsh winter has resulted in an epidemic of cabin fever across the QCA. So what's the cure?
Many say it lies in preparing for a summer of fun. Thousands headed out to the QCCA Expo Center today to break free from their winter worries.
"I'm ready to get out and go camping," says Donna Green.
After months cooped up indoors, many say they're ready to head outside and bask in the summer sunshine. Record crowds heading out to the QCCA Expo Center this weekend for the annual RV and Camping Show.
"The winter's been long and cabin fever's a real disease and I think these people are sick of the winter," says show director Arlynn Hartwig.
But while people want to have their fun in the sun, the tough economy has many of them sticking to a budget. That's why many of them say they're going to stay closer to home this spring and summer and take advantage of all the area has to offer.
"If you go on vacation, you'll spend a whole lot more money than you will camping because you figure you've got five nights of camping, 30 dollars a night.," says RV owner Bob Weckel.
It's something he and others say they prefer to the alternative -- spending up to thousands of dollars on a flight and a hotel room. RV owners say they're not the only ones saving money by going camping.
"You could spend $100 or less and go out for a weekend and have your friends, everybody bring something like a pot luck and we always have a place for everybody to stay which is nice," Green says.
By staying close to home, these staycationers say they're doing more than just saving money. They're exploring areas in our own back yard that many of us take for granted.
"I think it's the camaraderie you have when you go to different campsites and meet new people. You just sit around and have a really good time," Green says.
"We usually go within 150 miles of right here because there's a lot to see right here in Illinois and into Iowa," Weckel adds. "You don't have to go to Cancun to see all that stuff."
Campers say it only costs about $20-30 a night to park at a campsite. Many campsites are actually offering package deals and other incentives such as WiFi internet access to entice campers.
