What is “real camping” anyway?

What is “real camping” anyway?

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There are so many ways to go camping, and what is and isn’t “real camping” can spark debate amongst friends, family and campers alike.

The Oxford Dictionary defines camping as:

The activity of spending a holiday living in a tent.

I don’t know about you, but to me, this seems like quite a narrow definition.

For me, it’s not about where you are. Whether you’ve hiked there, or driven there. Whether you’re miles from home, or just down the road.

It’s not about what you take, or do not take.

It’s not about how long you camp for. Overnight, a weekend, a week or a month.

It’s not about whether you’re hooked up to electricity or in the wilderness with no facilities.

For me, it’s all about the feeling.

It’s about feeling adventurous, resourceful, curious, connected, relaxed, cosy.

It that feeling you get when, even for a short time, you unplug from devices and technology, unwind from day to day expectations, and reconnect with friends, family, and nature.




Exploring at Pillars of Hercules camping ground, Fife

You can get this feeling in a tent, a yurt, a caravan, a camper van, or an RV. You can be in any location – including your garden.  Even inside your house in a fort made of blankets and sofa cushions!

The way you camp can change throughout the different stages of your life. It can change if you have children, and as they grow older. It can change from season to season, year to year.

The way you camp may be different to the way others camp, but that doesn’t make it any better for worse. Is it “real camping”? It doesn’t matter. If it gives you that camping feeling, it’s the right way for you.

What’s your favourite way to get that camping feeling?

Read more about the reasons I love to go camping

 




Path in the woods at Falkland, Cupar, Scotland.