Why do you love camping?

[Marygoround22]

I am 'blessed' with a partner who loves it.

Have just got back from a 3 day camping trip and while it was very enjoyable, beautiful location and lovely campsite, I still cannot really understand the appeal of it in comparison to other holidays.

DP has everything. Great four-man tent for just the two of us. Cookers, fridges, heater, great quality airbed and bedding, sorts out all the food and drink, all I basically have to do is show up, follow some tent-erecting instructions and relax.

I guess I just don't 'get' it?

I am not being a princess, I promise. I camp out of choice at music festivals at least once a year, when I could choose a hotel or pod. But this is 'sort of' necessity or part of an experience and no electricity or luxuries in the same way as what I've just done.

It's camping for the sake of camping that I cannot fully comprehend. I guess It's cheap? But a lot of people who do it are far from skint-me included, not rich by any stretch but can afford other types of holidays.

I understand that you're close to nature, but does that fully count when you have electric hook-up, and all the mod cons?

I am not saying I'll never ever do it again but I don't think I'll be in a rush to.

Forgot to add, I got back around lunchtime yesterday and was absolutely shattered! Not sure why, but as someone who always unpacks and organises everything immediately I am back from a trip, it wasn't happening yesterday. I put a wash on and got straight into bed where I remained until gone 17:00! Is it the fresh air?!

Is this some weird AI response?

I love it mainly for how free the children are. We don’t have a garden at home so them being able to run around outside all day is really special for us. Obviously we take them out when we’re at home but it’s not the same.

Also I usually sleep really well in a tent!

DH and I try and do a couple of camping trips each year, but it has to be outside the school holidays - the thought of being on a campsite surrounded by feral children is horrific. And we choose campsites with good loos and showers but other than that no 'amenities'.

We have a 4 person tent for the 2 of us so there is plenty of space. We enjoy the peace and quiet, being outdoors all day and the associated sleep which always seems to be better than at home. I find airbeds really comfortable and like lying snug and warm listening to the wildlife (and rain!). We cook breakfast but eat out otherwise, and even on wet days when you are inside reading it's very relaxing. The last trip we did there was no wifi or 4g so it was also a welcome digital detox.

We're a gay couple with no children-I do understand how it can be fabulous for children and a good, safe way to experience the outdoors and somewhat 'roughing it'.

When we were there there were some children, but also a lot of couples or family groups without them.

I have no idea what that first response is! What's the point? (if it is AI)?

Because it makes me feel closer to the outdoors and to nature I guess and as @Similars says, for the freedom it gave the children (mine are now grown up).

It also makes my complexion look great! (Seriously)

Thank you for this response.

We didn't get much 'peace and quiet'. Despite the site having a 'no groups' rule, there were two separate school groups-teens seemingly doing some sort of project/award, carrying their huge bags in smaller groups and of an afternoon/eve they'd be dancing to dance music and screaming etc. It didn't bother me much, but it wasnt quiet until about 21:30. I did like listening to the rain on the tent, which was very roomy. I most certainly do not sleep well in tents however-and always wake up at the crack of dawn.

The joy of camping is no bed bugs fear (but then there are spiders, midges, slugs etc. )

That was my immediate thought.

I think it was a reference to the post by @visitorfood

I'm not a natural camper and my DH is constantly on the go which doesn't make for a relaxing time.
Our compromise is shorter trips with eating out. I also camp with Guides which is a bit more hard core camping plus looking after 30 kids at the same time but we tend to stay in one place!

@squashyhat this is a lovely site with wonderful showers/toilets and nothing else. There were children and families (including mine) when we went at half term but there’s so much space you’re not really affected by anyone else

Simplicity of life. Makes me be more frugal when at home too and not take our luxuries for granted. I love being under the stars. I love the closeness of it. I love festivals and pagan camps which feel like how our ancestors used to live, in close communities. You speak to your neighbours, we help each other out. Amazing.

i have always fancied going on a pagan camp. Would be very different to what I have just done however!

Sense of freedom you don't get with other holidays

I live in a flat with no garden so being outside is a major plus for me. The fact that I don’t need to ‘do’ anything is also good. When I’m home there always seem to be chores to do. On a little campsite with just a few items with me, apart from a bit of basic cooking and washing up I don’t have anything to think about. I go for walks, have lunch at the pub then sit outside - weather permitting - with a glass of wine and my kindle in the evenings. Bliss.

I love just being outdoors a lot more. And being able to sit poking a camp fire drinking whisky and looking at the stars. Also the removal of household and life distractions. I know a lot of things get “harder” - it’s much easier to cook dinner in the kitchen than on a campsite - but it’s somehow more focussed, more basic, and cooking is more fun.

The last two responses have made me feel a bit ashamed that I didn't enjoy it more! Maybe I am a grumpy old lady/curmudgeon now. Lack of sleep didn't help. I did like sitting with a glass of wine but no more so than at home-given having such a small space and tripping over things/knocking things over-even in a good-sized tent and knowing the nearest loo is a good few hundred yards away I may have peed around the back of the tent a few times .

I only go camping if it's somewhere or an event without alternatives eg festival, rally or remote location wild camping. I don't get luxury camping, all that stuff! We have hiking tent, two sleeping bags, 2 thermorests, 2 inflatable pillows and two ultra compact chairs (we generally go by motorcycle)

I camp A LOT. With my whole family (3 children) on my own (hiking) and with some/all of the kids. (Currently camping with just my 4 year old)

Its hard to say really. I do love the fresh air. We have really comfy self inflating insulated mattress so are never cold or uncomfortable.

It’s funny but I like the whole ‘setting up your mini home. Almost back to my childhood.

I find being in a tent incredibly relaxing.

The simplicity of things, like cooking.

no TV

I am totally into wanting to live in the wild and survival 🤣 not that I ever will.

Ps I take no cooking equipment, that's what pubs are for!

Haha I also love the “setting up my mini home” aspect too! And I get a lot of satisfaction from feeling like I’ve done it right, I know where the matches are, stowing things away nicely. I think camping as a child, plus reading a lot of swallows and amazons, have fed into my subconscious and it just ticks all the right boxes for me.

I’m a bit less keen on the “packing up my mini home” aspect, but it comes with the job! And the kids are pretty good at helping too, now.

@Talipesmum Ioved Swallows and Amazons. Probably still would.

We’ve got it down to a fine art now. The packing up and away. So it’s never so bad. Have bought some good items this year. I’m always on the look out for camping stuff.

I also love packing up picnics and stuff. I love mini adventures. Luckily my children do too. Although not the teen so much… and husband totally understands my needs 😅😅

I always made ‘dens’ as a child. And so do my DC.

I agree either lots of posts -

• sleep better
• love being outdoors
• I live in a flat with no garden so it is a treat!
• sadly neither dh nor kids like camping though!