First of all, let me start by saying that this post is not for people who dislike camping. I understand that we are all different and there are some of you that just can’t disconnect and are always wanting to make their way back to the normal comfortable lives. Putting yourself in a strange new environment where you don’t have everything at your fingertips might be a turn off for some.
This post is for those who have not tried camping yet because they might be afraid but still want to give it a go.
The truth is camping can be hard sometimes. What if it rains? What if I need to go to the toilet during the night and have to walk for a bit to get there? Or both?
There are many thing that can go wrong, this is true, but for me that is the beauty of it. I have often had disastrous camping trips but when I look back at all of my adventures it is those hard times that stick out over the others. I remember them more.
Why do you you think that is? It’s because it’s only in hard times that we are truly alive. We are forced to concentrate on the here and now to solve this problem. Compare this to our comfortable routines and we can see that during our everyday lives we are hardly tested. It’s only through hardship that we grow.
Now that being said, camping isn’t always hard or even unenjoyable. Quite the opposite. Whenever everything is going right and you’re sipping a beer at your campfire after a long hike it feels great because you have earned it. It wasn’t just given to you. That is why I love camping.
So what are we talking about? Oh sorry, I went a little off track there…. fear of camping. If you have camped and know it isn’t for you then that’s fine but don’t let the fear of something you haven’t experienced stop you from trying it.
As from my ramble above, you aren’t going to grow (mentally) unless you push yourself. And I get it, camping can be daunting for the first couple of times but after a while you will find something that works and will be wondering what all the fuss was about. So give it a go before making up your mind.
Below are four main reasons why you might fear or not like camping and hopefully I will be able to help you conquer your fear but it will be up to you to take to plunge.
Feeling vulnerable
We have become so accustomed to living behind locked doors that the thought of sleeping outside with little or no protection is scary. Anyone could just walk up to you zip open your tent and that would be the end of you.
I’m not going to pretend that this doesn’t happen. Unfortunately, there are some messed up people out there that you hope you will never meet but what I want you to realize is that this is very rare.
There are far more homes broken into than tents being raided so the illusion that you are safer in your home is false. So where does this irrational fear come from? I blame the movies. Nearly every hollywood film about camping ends with something going horribly wrong. A criminal gang walking into your camp or a bear attack. These are great for creating films but it also sets the seed in your mind that camping is dangerous but in reality it isn’t any more dangerous than staying at home, statistically speaking.
So how can you overcome this vulnerable feeling?
First you must know that it is very unlikely that you will be attacked. However, knowing this isn’t alway enough for some. What if you’re the one?
To decrease your chances further start by camping in busy campgrounds or with a group of other campers. When camping in the wild pick a spot way off the beaten track and keep out of sight.
Secondly, you could take some sort of protection with you. Even though it’s highly unlikely you will need it having a form of personal protection can help you sleep better at night.
Knowing self defence is the best form of personal protection because you will alway have it on you. The next best thing is to have a knife, can of mace or even a firearm (if you are allowed) on you at all times.
I personally carry a small can of mace in my pack (which I sleep beside) and have a camping knife on me at all times (not really for protection but for other camping reasons). This doesn’t mean I expect to have an intruder but I just like to be prepared for every eventuality.
And finally, you need to start small. If you have a backyard then why not spend the night in there. You could always retreat back into your home if you get too scared.
That being said, it’s much more enjoyable to camp somewhere new. Remember, camping isn’t just about sleeping outside. It’s about going to beautiful places that you wouldn’t normally see unless you were camping. So use the backyard camping as a way of camping and feeling safe for now but if you find it a little boring then you will have to travel a little further.
You can then progress onto your local campground before travelling further and further until you can decide you are brave enough to go hiking and camp in the backcountry.
Wildlife
So maybe you’re fine with humans and know that chances of being attacked are very low. But humans aren’t the only thing out there that can harm you.
To be honest, this is a much more likely cause to be concerned depending on where you are camping. For example, if you are planning to camp in Ireland then the only thing you have to worry about are a few small harmless bugs that are more annoying than dangerous. However, when camping in some north American states you will have to be on the lookout for bears. So it will depend on where you are camping to determine if you should be worried or not.
That being said, I would also like to say that an attack from wildlife is still very unlikely. Know what wildlife is in your area and if it sounds too scary for you then camp somewhere else that the danger is less.
Although it may seem like it, animals are not evil. They do not attack you because they don’t like you or anything like that, they are attacking you because they see you as a threat or as food. Below are some of the animals that could be potentially life threatening.
Bears
This is a big one for me. I have seen a few from a distance and that is were I intend to keep them. There are a few things you can do to help reduce contact with bears.
Bears are on an endless search for food. People used to feed the bears so they got to know humans as a source of food so now when they see humans they know there is food around. When a bear attacks they are more interested in that food than you.
This is especially true for black bears but grizzly bears are far more dangerous. Keeping your food stored away from your tent in an airtight container and don’t cook where you store your food or where you’re camping.
Make plenty of noise when you move around during the day. The last thing you want to do is come across a bear that wasn’t expecting you. This will make then see you as a threat and will likely attack. If a bear hears you coming then they are more likely to run away before you get too close.
If you do encounter a bear then back away slowly talking gentle without making eye contact. If you in a large group then come together as you back away. Don’t turn, walk backwards.
If you’re charged then try to fight the urge to run. You will not outrun a bear. They are faster than you, can smell where you go, can climb trees and are good swimmers. Your only two options are to fight or play dead.
Alway keep bear mace ready when camping in bear country. Alternatively a firearm can be used but try a few warned shoots first to try to scare it away rather than killing it. As a last resort you could used a knife or spear, however going hand to hand with a grizzly bear probably won’t end well.
To play dead, simply lie on the ground face down with your backpack on your back for protection. Cover the back of you neck with your hands. Spread your legs to stop it from flipping you over and brace for impact. Once the bear believes the threat is over it will leave you alone. Wait until it is long gone before moving.
Scary stuff but again you must know that the chances of being attacked are still small. If you’re afraid to be camping because of bears then you can get over this fear almost instantly. Camp in places where there are no bears.
It took me years to be brave enough to camp in bear country and even now I’m still uneasy when I do but I know it’s all in my head. Probably too much TV when I was younger. If you’ve ever seen “The Edge”, then you know what I’m talking about.
Snakes
Camping in an area where there are snakes can be enough to put anyone off. Fortunity, there is only a small percentage of snakes that are poisonous, (again, the movies would have you believe that once you are bit that you are a goner). Know what species of snake are in your area of interest to decide how much care you should take and, like in bear country, if it’s too scary then camp somewhere else.
Snakes are just as afraid of you than you are of them however they will strike to defend themselves. Be careful when walking through thick grass and setting up camp in thick forest areas.
Following the steps below will help make sure your campsite is snake free.
- Dont camp near snake pits.
This might sound obvious but sometimes it can be hard to find them. Fallen trees are an ideal place for snakes to live.
- Always keep your tent door shut.
Even having a high floor lip at the doorway of you tent is not enough. Zip it up.
- Make sure there are no holes in your tent.
A snake can fit through very small holes so don’t assume they cant fit. Get it fixed.
- Alway shake out you sleeping bag before getting in. Just in case.
- Don’t leave food lying around.
It will attract then into you campsite. The snake isn’t interest in your food but the are interest in others that are, such as mice and birds.
- Set up a snake fence.
This is simpler than it sounds. It comes as a chemical repellant which you can spray around the perimeter of your campsite. Snakes don’t like this chemical and will not cross the perimeter. Even when you set up the perimeter you should still follow the above steps. What if you missed a spot on the perimeter or what if there was one already in the perimeter when you made it and now it can get out?
Spiders
The rules for spiders are pretty much the same as snakes. Read the above and apply it to spiders.
Bugs
So maybe you’re in a place where there are no dangerous animals like the above but if the thoughts of spending the day swatting flies and who knows what else sounds too much to handle. This could easily turn you off camping.
This is just a part of being in the great outdoors but it’s not as bad as you might think if you know where and how to camp. I go into picking the perfect camping spot in great detail here but I’ll run through a few of the details that will help you minimise contact with bugs.
- Don’t set camp too close to water
Bugs thrive in damp conditions so don’t camp too close to your water supply
- Keep your food covered
Bugs gotta eat too so keep all food in an airtight container unless you want to share
- Keep your net zipped on your tent
Alway zip up the mesh guard on your tent, every time. Even if you’re overrun by bugs in the evening you will at least have your tent to retreat to.
- Use bug repellant
Bug repellents are very effective. I use a spray on type. I don’t really have a favorite brand. They all seem to work well. The only problem with these sprays is that they don’t smell to good but you won’t mind that if they’re keeping the midges at bay. You can also make your own homemade versions if you want. Google “homemade bug repellent” and you should be able to find something that you could try.
- Lights off
When it gets dark, bugs are attracted to light. If you leave a light on in your tent and the door open then your tent will be full of them. So don’t use lights in your tent until you have the mesh guard zipped up. When socializing keep the lights away from the group.
No Facilities
For a lot of people it isn’t the fear of others or even the wildlife but it is something much more practical than that. “What if you need to go to the toilet?” “Where do I clean my dishes?” Or if you are on an extended camping trip, “Where do I clean my clothes?”
Sometimes the embarrassment of having to walk off into the bushes for a poop it enough for many to say no to camping. This is an irrational feeling as everyone will have to do the same so don’t feel that everyone will be talking about you.
This, of course, will only apply to people camping in places where there are no facilities. If you’re staying in a private campground then there may be toilets, showers, places to wash your dishes and even washing machines for your clothes.
The size and quality of these facilities vary wildly from campsite to campsite. When you are setting camp try to choose a place that is within 30 – 60 seconds walk to the toilets. Don’t go any closer. Some campground facilities may give off a smell during hot weather so you don’t want to be too close to that.
Also, the closer you’re then the more people will be walking past your tent. I don’t’ know about you but I’d rather be somewhere out of the way so I can relax properly without having people looking at me every 5 seconds.
As you can see that staying in a campground isn’t really an issue. However, if you’re hiking with a group for the first time then it could be cause for concern. You just need to be prepared and know a few simple rules.
- Never sneak off
You don’t have to announce to the whole group that you are about to take a poop but alway let at least one person know that you are leaving the group for a moment. This is important as the group could move on when you’re gone (not realizing you’re missing) and when you return you won’t know which way they went. Or if you have a fall you will want someone to come looking for you. So tell the person the general direction you intend to go.
- Picking a spot
Once you break from the group you will want to make it quick so others don’t start noticing you missing. Again, this is all in your head so take your time and try to enjoy this new experience.
Don’t do it too close to the group (they might hear you fart). Go a distance where you can still hear them talk but your not able to make out what they are saying. Obviously, be out of sight so behind whatever is around, a tree, bush or even a rock.
Pick somewhere where it will be hard for people to walk on it. Make sure there isn’t any poison ivy around. I like to dig a small hole with the heel of my boot. After I’m done I kick the dirt back over on top but leave a small piece of toilet paper sticking out so that other members of the group don’t pick the same spot and dig it up again. Alternatively, you could just throw some leaves over it to cover it up.
- Use biodegradable paper
You want to have as little impact on the environment as possible so use paper that will decompose easily. You can get biodegradable toilets paper an amazon here. If you wanted to go really caveman then you could use grass or leaves to wipe.
- Wash up
When your done use sanitary wipes if you have them but don’t get too hung up on it. Unless you actually get poop on your hand then you will survive until you get to a water supply, like a river, where you can wash your hands. If you really can’t wait then use bottle water.
The truth is you will feel a little weird doing it the first time but after a while you will see that there isn’t much different than leaving a group in your home to go to the toilet.
Lack of comfort
Another thing that can put someone off camping is the thought of sleeping rough. While camping won’t be as comfortable as sleeping at home in your bed or in a hotel room, it probably isn’t as bad as you imagine, especially when you’re car camping.
Comfort and hiking don’t really go hand in hand. The problem with having extra comforts is that you will have to carry them with you.
That being said, you don’t have to have a terribly uncomfortable experience for you to keep your backpack light.
Blow up sleeping mats offer a surprising amount of comfort. Couple that with a cozy sleeping bag and you will be asleep in no time, especially if you after hiking all day and your body is tired. Alternatively, use a hammock tent for maximum comfort.
Remember, you’re not camping to get a good night’s sleep. You are going for the adventure and sleeping is just a small part of it that you have to do.
For car camping comfort need not be an issue. If you don’t like crawling into a small tent then buy a bigger tent. If you don’t like sleeping on the ground then buy a camping cot. You can even take your favourite pillows and duvets instead of a sleeping bag. I’ve explain here how you can make any camping trip comfortable.
So don’t use lack of comfort as an excuse not to camp. All it takes is a bit of preparation and you will have everything you need
Conclusion
Fear is in the mind. If you’re able to do something, like camping, that you are afraid to do then you will become stronger for it. This strength can be then be used in everyday life to help you become the person that you want to be. So get out there and mark camping off your list of things you have tried. For better or worse, you will always remember it.
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