I try to go camping at least a few times each summer. Something about the placid nature of heavily wooded areas stirs up something in my bones that keeps me going back. I used to go to camp when I was a child, where I had my phone removed from my access for about a month. I’ve gone camping in the Northeast, the Midwest, and even Israel, so while I’m no expert, I do find it very fun.
Without any further ado, here’s why I think camping is really fun. I think probably the most hard-wired enjoyable part of camping is the campfire. No matter how many marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate you eat, somehow sleeping outside makes it healthy. Regardless of how much smoke gets in your eyes, campfires are a great place for songs, scary stories, and bonding with your friends. I’m not sure why, but simple things like cooking eggs in a pan also is quite rewarding.
The second benefit of camping is that its engrossed in nature, meaning that your sleep schedule is better. You can become better attuned to the air, and often get to enjoy the stars before you go to bed. I think living in the suburbs often makes it easier to stay up really late. By contrast, camping provides a nudge to enjoy the day when its light outside, and wake up earlier, rather than staying up later. Nature is also especially fun when you get to hike for miles, and swim in rivers or waterfalls. Every time I get a chance to swim outside, I try and take it.
A final benefit of camping is that it has a way of helping you connect with those around you. Not having access to your full skincare routine brings you closer to others, and they don’t even care (that much) about you being smelly. A large part of this is that you’re not on your phone and instead you’re able to be in awe of nature around you.
The negatives of camping are generally opportunity costs. While camping is fun, you can’t work, write, watch movies, or do much of anything else. The location is often remote, meaning that you have to commit a weekend to engaging with nature. This also comes paired with mosquitos and an ungodly amount of bugs. When I go camping, I fully expect to have mosquito bites all over my body by the time I get back. Another disadvantage of camping is that setting up the tent, and doing the necessary pre-planning. I’ve gone camping, but packed the wrong poles for my tent, resulting in a very uncomfortable night. Similarly, if you forget something, you’ll need to buy more of it, at least several miles from where you are staying.
The ugly parts of camping are often the people after the weekend is up. Most camping is done with lots of dirt or sand nearby, and it has a way of enveloping everyone there. Sometimes, sand is in my hair for a good 4 days after I go camping. You can try to avoid this going the glamping route, but at that point, you’re changing the name of the game.
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