Wondering what camping is? Check out the different types to find out which one is right for you. Keep reading for camping explained.
What Does Camping Mean?
Camping is the act of living outdoors for a temporary amount of time for recreational purposes.
A camp refers to temporary living quarters.
So, when you hear someone say “I’m going to go camping this weekend.”, they mean that they are going to pack up some necessities and go live outdoors for the weekend.
This book is a fantastic place to start.
What is the Purpose of Camping?
You might be wondering why in the world people would want to go “live” outdoors for a period of time. We asked a bunch of people why they go camping and made a whole list of what people love about camping.
The main purpose of camping is to get away from your day-to-day life and get back to the basics and enjoy nature.
There are tons of things to enjoy while camping but the best part is just being out in nature. It is therapeutic to say the least. It’s a great way to reset and get away for a while in a really healthy way.
Beginner Tips
This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. But if you’re new to it, it can seem a little daunting. Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you get started.
First, make sure you have the right gear. This includes a good tent, sleeping bag, and comfortable clothing suitable for the weather. Don’t forget to pack a first-aid kit, flashlight, map, and compass. It’s also a good idea to bring along some simple tools, like a knife and a portable stove.
Second, plan your meals ahead of time. Preparing and packing your food beforehand is not only convenient, it also helps to minimize waste. Include easy-to-cook items like pasta or rice, and don’t forget plenty of water. Remember to store food safely away from your tent to avoid attracting wildlife. With a little preparation and the right attitude, camping can be a rewarding and fun experience.
Different Types of Camping
There are many subcategories. We will stick to the three main types to give you an overview.
1. Tent Camping
This is the “regular” type of camping that most people refer to. You set up a tent and use it as your shelter (mostly just for sleeping at night) and you “live” outdoors.
You can do this in a few different ways.
- You can go to a campsite or campground and rent a spot to put your tent up and camp.
- You can go dispersed/primitive/backcountry camping and find your own place to camp somewhere on public land.
- Or you can go glamping with a luxury tent or a rent a spot where they have one set up for you and camp in comfort.
2. RV, Campervan, or Camp Trailer Camping
This is similar to tent camping but you have a vehicle that you are sleeping in and using for some basic things like cooking. A lot of people who do this either own their own vehicle or they rent campervans to use for their trip.
This is usually done at a campsite that has RV camping. There are whole dedicated RV camps as well. People like this way to camp because you have more conveniences while still getting to enjoy the outdoors.
3. Backpacking
Backpacking is what it sounds like. You go hiking with just a backpack full of gear. This is usually for a few days, but some people complete longer backpacking trips.
You have to pack light in order to be able to complete a trip like this. So, you usually sleep in a lightweight tent or hammock that fits easily into your bag.
What People Do When They Go Camping
You can do pretty much anything you want. The area you are in may have some restrictions but there are a ton of things you can do.
15 Common Things People Do
Here are a few things that you can do. Remember, it’s all about doing what you want to, so feel free to come up with some new ideas.
- Relaxing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature walks
- Sight seeing
- Cooking over a campfire
- Building fires
- Reading
- Hanging out with friends or family
- Playing yard or board games
- Spotting animals
- Hunting
- Boating and water sports
- Swimming
- Building survival skills
Camping explained
We hope you get the idea of camping and why some of us really love it. There are a lot of different resources here on this website that we hope you check out.
More resources
Here are some topics we think would be good to look at next:
What people love about camping
What people hate about camping
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