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.

We go camping with a big group of friends and that's the appeal for me - all the kids running off together, the adults sitting round the campfire chatting and drinking, everyone sharing food and helping each other out. I also really enjoy the "back to basics" of it, and getting away from technology etc.
But it's the social aspect of it for me, I don't think I'd enjoy it so much if it was just me and DP

We loved camping when the kids were small (they're all adults now). We went because it was a cheap break, and we would do three four-day trips each year. The kids loved the freedom it gave them, so much better than being in a hotel for this reason.

We don't camp as a couple anymore. But I still camp twice a year with the cubs. It's flipping hard work, I come home absolutely broken. But the campsites we use are generally much less regimented than public ones - and usually have large fields, and lots of woods, for the cubs to explore. There's something really lovely about being in the middle of nature, hearing the birds, the rain, the sun, and having a big campfire in the evening.

We have a campervan. I love the escape and the face I look bloody healthy when I get home. Campfires, wine, watching wildlife, walks etc etc

Get earplugs, face mask and a camping loo.

I like walking (although it’s generally a glorified pub walk) i have to admit I don’t like camping in a tent so much but love our caravan and previously a folding camper. Always have electric hook up I know what ever happens I will be warm and have a light to read by

It makes me feel more connected to the earth.

Even a picnic blanket (much as I love picnics) can't get me that connected.

I love the feeling of freedom, and the smell and feel of the grass.

Things somehow sound different over grass than they do over other surfaces too.

Sharing a space with strangers who are basically just the same as you.

You can also take a tent many places you can't take a caravan, as I am discovering since our recent 'upgrade'.

Noooo.

I don't do tents. Maybe because I'm from a traveller background and most of my friends and all my family have converted trucks/vans. Most places (festivals, campsites etc) where you can camp allow vehicles too so why would I go for a tent?

You have a portaloo in your tent? Seriously??

Enjoying this thread as we are going camping for the first time in a few weeks and I want to love it!

I don't recognise the healthy aspect either! I've eaten much more unhealthily than I would at home, plus booze. Fresh air and walking I suppose, we did do that, but I run and go to the gym at home and I don't do that while camping.

I think I enjoy the different lifestyle. Also, opening up the tent door in the morning and being immediately surrounded by lovely scenery. We do go for for walks, trip nearby, but it's also nice not to rush around and just watch the world go by maybe with a drink. Or read, while half listening to the birds in the background.

I know many people that think like you about camping, you either love it or hate it. You can have the works, fridge blow up beds etc but I find it still "roughing" it. The blow up beds aren't comfy and it's definitely not the sane feeling as being at home.
We enjoy it much more now we have a camper-van, if it's raining we aren't screwed 😄

Drumming round the fire, singing, dancing, learning. Just amazing

Used to enjoy it but my back would protest now, even on a fairly thick mattress. Some lovely memories though 🏕️⛺️

We do it for the kids, especially when younger, space, freedom, even going alone with a list, milk, newspaper, small sweets for yourselves, was an adventure for them when smaller. They came back very chuffed with themselves they had gathered supplies, cost a fortune for a milk mind.

And then locations, some places you camp there just aren't hotels.

It's quite nice just getting back to basics, not having instant entertainment, cards, books etc

We have a campervan, not really into tents, mainly because of all the setting up & taking down whereas I don’t like to stay in one place for more than a couple of days at most. Much rather travel on to different places with no plan, just go where the fancy takes me.

A camping loo, just a small one with Chemicals in so does smell. Small plastic box really… Amazon is your friend!

No ta I'm happy with my truck with a toilet in a separate room 😅

I love the simplicity, back to basics, connection with nature and family without distractions. The routine of simple tasks that need doing and how active we all are.

I don’t like staying in hotels or even caravans. I feel too hemmed in and hate the fact that we’re in someone else’s space and that someone else will be tidying up after us.

I have found a few out of the way campsites in gorgeous locations that operate very low density occupant policies. I live in London so love the fresh air, being close to nature, enjoying a cup of coffee/glass of wine while reading my book surrounded by woodland and watching rabbits bounce around the place. I have a rooftop tent that is super comfy and all the other creature comforts. Bliss.

I absolutely love camping because I love being outdoors. I like how mindful it is too - every task takes more effort such as washing up, preparing meals, organising our things, etc. I find it relaxing. But I can see how some people would feel the opposite.

My husband wasn’t keen when we first got together, but then we borrowed a decent tent and bought a very comfy airbed and he was sold! We now go on about 5 camping trips a year.

It's just being outside and doing something different that appeals to me/us. But we don't take all the cooking gadgets and paraphernalia as then you are at the point where you might as well just air BnB. We did make sure we invested in the sleeping stuff as a bad sleep ruins the next day, but that's it, we just take a gas stove and a tray bbq. We don't have electric hookup so we can be more confident we won't be pitched up next to someone watching their massive projector all night...

So I think for me you either need to really embrace and camp old school, or not bother, as taking half a hotel room of stuff kind of highlights the downsides of being outside, if you see what I mean?

I despise camping simply because my aging bladder wakes me up a minimum of 2x a night, which while camping either involves walking 7 minutes to a spidery toilet block, or alternatively pissing on my feet in a muddy ditch.

I am that Partner that absolutely loves camping!
But understand it's not for everyone, we've camped as a family (and before children) every year, multiple times, for years now. Inviting various friends along, some have loved it, some booked into a hotel on the second night
For Me, it's the absolute freedom from routine and restrictions, no pressure, no rules (within reason obvs) and nothing makes me feel more 'alive' than being outside in Nature. Cringe, I know.

I remember finding out on a camping trip that I was unexpectedly pregnant with my first DC, I hadn't yet told DH (Boyfriend at the time) I woke up from our campsite early, threw on a jumper and took a stroll down to the stream near where we were camping. I sat there and cried with panic but being surrounding my nature, the birds, stream and peacefulness, gave me this overwhelming feeling of the world being so much bigger than just Me, so of course I was capable of being a Mum.
Not sure what I'm going on about now but being outside is my safe, happy place.
I'm fortunate my DH also loves Camping, our 3 DCs are camping kids and I hope we continue doing so well into retirement!

We didn't do camping holidays before we had children and went abroad on a package holiday each year but had been camping as a child.
Once we had children I didn't fancy taking them somewhere hot, they're very pale and couldn't afford to at the time anyway.
The main reason we camp now is the children love it, it's easy for us as they have freedom of the campsite to play and make friends so if we don't go anywhere for the day they still enjoy it.
I don't find it uncomfortable or hard work etc.
We are also quite fussy about campsites now and like to have clean facilities, quiet at night and a play area and pool ideally.
We will probably go abroad next year, but to a French campsite instead!

Some of our best holidays as a family and as a couple were tent camping ones - road trips around Europe, French beach or country holidays etc.

After the DC grew up, we got a camper van and use it lots for weekends and holidays. It has a loo which is a huge luxury for us! We also now don't cook much, preferring to eat our main meal when out and about.

Love the freedom, not being tied down to hotel meal times or restrictions, and ability to change plans etc.

The ability to switch off and chill - long lie ins, read etc without worrying about the 101 things to do at home is huge as I have a very demanding job.