Five (Less Traditional) Reasons to Enjoy Camping

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

We all know about the traditional reasons to take a camping trip – enjoying the fishing, getting away from the city – but what about the small reasons that seem to pop up only when you’re out under the stars? Sometimes, these are the types of things that we can only learn by experience, after we’ve already made the decision to head out to the woods. Even so, these can acts as inspirations to get out there again. Here are some less traditional reasons people enjoy camping.

#1: Stargazing.

This is especially true for city folk, whose participation in the metropolitan lifestyle comes with one downside: more light from the city means less stars in the sky. It can be frustrating for an aspiring stargazer, and when night rolls around at the campsite, it serves as a good reminder for just how many stars are in the sky. If you’ve always felt like an astronomer hidden in a city slicker’s body, camping might be for you.

#2: Buying gear.

Some camping enthusiasts believe that the more gear you buy, the less you’ll be in touch with nature. Others say that the gear is what makes the trip fun – and comfortable. Buying camping gear can be just as fun as the experience itself as you imagine all of the things you can do in your rental camper. This is especially nice for the less risk-averse among us.

#3: Eating simpler food.

Believe it or not, camping can be a refreshing break from the hour of nightly cooking you might do in order to prepare a dinner table. Going camping often means eating simpler food – hot dogs, burgers – and actually enjoying it as part of the experience. Need desert? S’mores just have three ingredients.

#4: Nightly campfire socials.

For some odd reason, human beings still find gathering around campfire to be a fascinating experience, as desensitized as we might be to the warmth of fire. Gathering around with friends and family around a campfire is a great excuse to gather around and talk the night away – and keeping the flames high gives you something to do.

#5: Seeing your inner survivalist come out.

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes when you escape from your tent in the morning and find out that it rained overnight. Dry and comfortable, you can’t help but feel that you “beat” nature, at least for one night.

Photo Credits: slworking2