You have probably seen ads in a magazine or commercials on TV. Families, couples, or friends spending time in the great outdoors under the stars. They seem to be enjoying themselves and you wonder if that could be you. Maybe you think that you would have the same kind of luck as Robin William’s character, Bob Munro, from 2006’s movie RV, where if it can go wrong it does.
It all comes down to the question, should I go camping? Whether it is your first time planning a camping adventure or you’ve been doing it since your childhood, camping offers many benefits. One of the major benefits is the amount of stress reduction it can have on your life. Being in nature, breathing in the fresh air, staring at the stars, and just relaxing, bring a sense of calm.
From my experience, that sense of calm and relaxation has been a major benefit. However, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it often starts off a little stressful. But if you plan ahead and have everything you need, the time spent with your loved ones in nature exceeds expectations.
Create or Expand on Family Tradition
As a kid, I couldn’t wait to go on the annual family camping trip. My father had two weeks off every year from his job as a firefighter. One of those weeks was during the summer. We would pack up our camper and head off to Lake Tahoe.
Years later and with my own kids, I made the same trek to the same campground. It was a different yet still fun experience. The world was so much bigger to a kid. The trip allowed me to introduce all the same fun activities I did with my parents and brothers. Nothing is better than seeing the smile of pure joy on their faces.
For the past 10 years, we spent our Thanksgiving in the desert with another family and a new tradition. It was a time for hiking, Jeep rides, and deep-fried turkey. This is just something new that we started because our extended family moved out of state and we couldn’t be together during the holiday. It made for a great new tradition.
The camping bug does rub off. My eldest son now uses all our camping gear when he goes off with his friends. During all our adventures together, he knows what to do and how to do it. Yet he often needs reminding, from my wife, to pack something just in case the temperature drops. Learned life lessons.
Reconnect With Nature
Camping is an immersive experience. You are literally in nature. You feel the heat and the cold. You may get rained on. Wind may blow your tent and rock your trailer. Bugs happen.
Depending on where you are camping you may get the smell of pine from the forest that surrounds you or of salt from the crashing waves on the ocean shore. The wind blowing through the pine needles or the babbling of a brook makes a soothing sound for an afternoon nap. Maybe even the power of waves crashing on the shore or the power of water over the side of a mountain in the form of a waterfall.
And don’t count out the wildlife. From countless squirrels, deer, birds, and bears (2 to be exact), nature is in full swing. Of course, you can’t rule out beach camping. Seagulls, dolphins, and surfers.
The best part of being in nature is being surrounded by nature.
Digital Disconnect
We live in a world where for the most part we keep ourselves connected 24/7. The constant bombardment of media either through the TV or our phones keeps our heads down. Sometimes we just need a little break from technology.
Many of the campgrounds and national parks have spotty to no cell service. And although you might find this an inconvenience, for the most part, thousands of people survive on a daily basis who either visit parks or camp. And the idea of getting away means leaving the technology at home.
Of course, many of us use our phones for directions. I know I do. And they have become our cameras. But spending time with your family or friends is more important than staring at the light of a screen.
There are campgrounds that offer WiFi, but it is normally not the speed you are used to. So get out that book you’ve been meaning to read. Or maybe you wanted to try your hand at sketching. I’m sure there are plenty of stationary objects to immortalize.
Whatever you decide to do, I’m pretty sure your technology won’t miss you.
Great for Your Health
An aspect of being out in nature or in the wilderness is the amounts of hiking trails you can find. Grab your hiking boots, snacks, and water, and set out getting up close and personal with the nature around you.
Some trails might require a permit in order to only allow a certain number of hikers on the trail. This keeps congestion down while hiking helping to maintain the integrity of the landscape. There might be a fee to use the trail. It is best to visit the local visitor’s center to ask and gather information.
Maybe you like to ride a bike. You might find both street paths and mountain trails to go on. Just remember to bring your safety gear along with snacks and water. If you happen to be near a lake all the better. Usually, there is a trail or path around it. Plus you can also swim, canoe or kayak.
Of course, just being outdoors is great for your health. The fresh air and sunshine. Both help in enhancing your relaxation. Especially once you are done with the day’s activities. You’ll probably sleep really well that night.
Enjoy Exciting Food
By far the best part of camping is the food. Yes, you have to cook it, but there is something about cooking while camping that trumps cooking at home. Somehow the air of the mountains, deserts, or ocean mixes with the flavor of the food or maybe the smoke from the fire you are cooking over. Whatever it is, it just tastes better.
Camping just means food that you usually wouldn’t make at home. You can always search Pinterest for all sorts of camping food ideas. My favorite camping meals are bag omelets, potato packets, and quesadillas. And don’t forget the S’Mores. You might find these cooking tips helpful.
And nothing beats percolated coffee. It does take a little longer. But placing the coffee pot on the outdoor stove and waiting for the aroma to hit you. Time to grab a cup.
See the Stars
I lived in a big city until I graduated from high school. Those trips to Lake Tahoe were my first experiences with the vastness of the universe. Standing on the shore of the lake at night with no city lights shining, the stars shone through the night sky.
Our desert trips have been even more awe-inspiring. It gets dark, really dark. Seeing the Milky Way in all its brilliance is a sight you have to witness on your own. Pictures don’t do it justice. Plus there is always a chance to see a shooting star.
Bring a telescope and a star guide. It brings the galaxy closer to you. You soon realize just how small you are.
There are apps for your phone, but they do take away the experience when you are staring at the screen and not the night sky.
Learn Outdoor Skills
Camping is a skill that you develop over many trips. Often you are several miles away from the nearest supply store. You have to rely on meeting the basics of your needs.
Building a fire, collecting and purifying water (only if you can’t find fresh), dealing with whatever nature throws at you (the elements), and just being alone with your thoughts are the basics of survival. Being able to do these can give you the boost of confidence needed to build you up.
Does it go perfectly? Nope. I’ve had problems getting a fire started. I’ve been in torrential rain and severe wind. I’ve arrived at a campground only to find our fridge opened and everything spilled out ruining it all.
Being adaptable, using common sense, and critical thinking are part of camping and of life in general. There is still much that I need to work on but that’s the fun part. I look at my camping adventures as life experiences. I always learn something new about myself and about my family.
Refresh Relationships
There is nothing greater than spending quality time with family and friends. Throughout our busy lives, we forget that the quality of our time greatly outweighs the quantity. We may spend every day with these people but never have time to really know what is going on in their lives.
Camping offers that time to have face-to-face, distraction-free conversations. These could be about life, the day, or an upcoming adventure or life event. It is a chance to build stronger relationships whether it is cooking the meals together, playing some games, sharing stories, sitting quietly listening to nature, or staring at the stars.
It is these experiences that can help build long-lasting memories. And often you’ll come away with a funny story like the time we charcoaled the turkey we deep-fried. The thermometer had broken so the oil got superheated. Luckily we happened to bring another smaller one with us. We wanted extra for the family on the weekend. Dinner was saved but the humor of it still lives on.
Recharge
As stated before, our lives can get really busy really fast. Being able to get away from the hustle of life and out in nature, is a simple way to recharge.
Just like our electronics, we need to figuratively plug ourselves in and fill our battery. We need to relax the tension in our necks from looking down at a screen or dealing with coworkers. Our eyes need to take a break from staring at a computer screen. Our bodies need to move which may have been sedentary throughout the weeks and months.
So kick back in your camping chair, breath in that fresh air, soak up that Vitamin D, and relax.
Wrapping It Up
It doesn’t take much to see the benefits of going camping. Whether you camp under the stars, in a tent, trailer, camper, or massive motorhome, give yourself a chance to reconnect and disconnect. If you are a camping newbie or veteran, get out there and enjoy nature and all it has to offer.
