How I Became A Camping Convert

When I first moved to the US in 2009 from my extremely urban life in India, I was in a bit of geographical shock. The great vast unpopulated expanses of the mid-west seemed almost alien. Over the years, I explored the stunning landscapes of this country and understood the American love for the great outdoors.

However, I was still baffled by the practice of camping. Coming from a developing country where running hot water and modern plumbing is a privilege, I did not understand the desire to slum it out in the wilderness. Why would you leave the warm, insulated comforts of your home and sit amongst dust and insects roasting marshmallows over a fire?

I was eventually persuaded by some friends to join them on a group camping trip to a dusty state park in Temecula, CA. I was promised the experience would be a revelation and I would fall in love with the idea.

I didn’t. Our site was covered in tiny flies. It was maybe the start of spring, but they were everywhere. Every item of food was covered in them. On top of that, add 6 screaming kids into the mix. And pit toilets. I just couldn’t see the point of this endeavor. Camping was a no-go for me.

But this is not the story of my camping failures. As our son got older, my husband was determined that he did not miss out on this quintessential American experience. And we tried our hand at it again, and I loved it.

For someone who is not the most enthusiastic about camping, this is what we did to make our experience enjoyable.

1. Keep It Intimate

Camping has always been touted to me as the ‘great escape’ or ‘being out in the wilderness’ or ‘getting out of your head’. In theory, it sounds very appealing to me. In practice, I have often seen a large group of friends heading out to camp over a long weekend. Where is the time for quiet contemplation or communion with nature in a large group like that? That’s more picnic than camping, to be honest.

Personally, I like to camp with just my family of three. It’s a great quality time away from our hectic lives, to catch up and enjoy the outdoor quiet together. There is room to be both noisy and aloof.

2. Keep it Modern

Humans developed plumbing for a reason, and I am in no rush to abandon it. I don’t think authentic escape to the nature needs us to dig our own holes in the ground. I prefer campsites with clean, flushable toilets and a regular maintenance crew (my heroes!) to keep the restrooms clean.

Again, this could be an offshoot of being raised in a developing country, where proper sanitation in public areas is mostly available but not guaranteed. I do not take these conveniences lightly.

Our lives are not episodes of Naked And Afraid, and there is no shame in wanting to have the best of both worlds.

3. Keep it Delicious

A unexpected pleasant discovery — cooking outdoors is fun. Cooking on a propane stove in the open, whether next to a gushing river or a grove of oaks has its own charm. We love planning our camping meals and trying out new recipes that go well with extra woody ambience.

4. Keep it Cozy

We live in California, so there is very limited time in the year when firewood is allowed at campsites (and rightly so, I mean, have you seen the news!). No bonfires mean no s’mores, no scary stories in the dark, and no drinking cool beer against the warm fire. And having LED lamps light up your campsite is just not the same vibe.

So what do you do then? Lots of people opt for propane bonfires, which are allowed but still create a hazard. I prefer to camp when or where bonfires are allowed because that is the highlight of our evenings. After a day of hiking or being out in the sun, it’s time to unwind, sit around the fire and catch up. I remember we got rained out once and the evening was torture, sat in the tent playing card games but it wasn’t the same.

5. Keep It Easy

Camping itself requires some level of physical effort — loading your car with all your camping supplies, driving to the campsite, setting it up and cooking meals. It makes sense to chill and enjoy the fruits of your labor. When we camp, we do maybe a short hike or two, take a turn around the nearby town and head back to swing in our hammocks. The goal is to soak in the atmosphere without lifting a finger.

Having the right gear also goes a long way in making your camping experience less messy. Invest in good night lamps, portable stoves, tent gear and comfy chairs — things that make you want to spend time at the campsite.

6. Keep It Short & Sweet!

The final and most important thing that made me open to the idea of camping, is the promise that I will be home in 2 days. Yes, I enjoy the outdoor experience, but at some point, the novelty wears off, and I want to get under the roof of my well constructed home. After a two-day mark, the clothes begin to itch; the kids get restless and start struggling with reduced screen time; the conversation lags and there is a buzz to get back to routine. Maybe as urban creatures, we have become habituated to our routines or the need to get online and connect with the virtual world.

What about you? What makes camping work for you ? What is your favorite part about camping and how many days are you willing to stick out under the open skies?

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Camping Travel US