PANAMA, N.Y. — Whether you've been camping for years, or you're not the sleep in a tent out in the woods type, there is a growing interest in upgrading the popular outdoor experience, with some of the conveniences of home.

With a crackling fire under the warm evening sky, Jennifer Downor is celebrating her birthday with daughter Addison and sister Shannon Yovich.

"It's exciting for me to spend time with my family, and to experience new things," said Jennifer.

Like glamping, glamorous camping in the woods at Panama Rocks in Chautauqua County comes complete with a furnished canvas tent and electricity, a far cry from when she used to go camping in the past.

"Usually we have a tent, a canopy, air mattresses, this is not normal," said Jennifer.

"I was excited to come experience something different. And the no set up and the beds being there and no air mattresses and no leaky tents, I just had to try it," said Shannon.

"I was like, 'this is bougie, this is nice.' But it was just nice to come out here and just get away for the weekend and just to really see all the amenities is really awesome," said Addison.

Like a kitchen area on the grounds where Jennifer can cook her breakfast casserole that she prepared at the site, and then plugged in overnight on warm.

Part of the overall landscape of the glamping grounds, a dream and a project ten years in the making, on property that has been in owner, operator Jonathan Weston's family for decades. 

"Camping in comfort. Comfort in nature. So to offer this and provide this experience to our guests is amazing," said Weston, who owns Panama Rocks.

It's an experience that continues to grow into a billion-dollar industry across the state and country, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I truly believe that almost everybody wants to spend time in nature and enjoy nature. People just don't want to sleep on a hard ground. They want to be comfortable," said Weston.

Like Jennifer and her family, who once morning broke, got to sit down and enjoy their crock pot breakfast. Before hiking and climbing the half-mile-long ridge of rocks and trails with caves, crevasses and passageways to explore.

"Very unique, different. Different rocks for sure," said Jennifer.

All of which makes for a different kind of experience. Jennifer is glad she gets to share with family.

"Cause I never get to spend time with her, so it's nice to spend time and go hiking, exploring, new adventures," said Jennifer.

And if the glamping and rock climbing aren't enough, visitors can also try their hand at ax throwing.