I am going to leave this very vague.....and I'll chime in later. But for now, please define "Camping". Try to be as Honest as you can. Later I'll do a BLIND poll question, and you can be super honest.
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I am going to leave this very vague.....and I'll chime in later. But for now, please define "Camping". Try to be as Honest as you can. Later I'll do a BLIND poll question, and you can be super honest.
I guess camping is the act of pitching a camp. Establishing a temporary place of shelter, whether you use natural resources (cliff overhang, cave, debris hut, snow) or something like a tent. It's a voluntary act as opposed to being thrust into living outdoors.
To me it is generally a planned stay of one or more nights outdoors. Woods, mountains, desert, beach - climate really doesn't matter. I say generally planned because I am reminded of something Pict said in one of his videos. It went something like - If I can solve the shelter, fire and water problem then I'm really just camping. We all have different levels of comfort when camping. Some are minimalists, while others are not. It's all camping to me.
I guess I would have to say camping to me is what I did when I was a kid. Whether it be in a tent or a camper, in the woods or a campground, camping is camping to me. Now if you want to know what my "comfort" level would be, naturally I would prefer a camper with all the bells and whistles (most of the time.) But from time to time I like to just roll out a sleeping bag and sleep under the stars.
Well no offense to anyone but having a mobilized camper(whether it has a motor or is pulled) is not camping,it's just taking your home on the road.
What I consider camping is having a tent or more primitive shelter(or none weather permitting) where you go stay in an outdoor setting,whether it be a state park, or true woods/wilderness. You cook as primitively as possible,yet as comfortably as possible. If allowed you have a fire burning natural fuel. You participate in outdoor activities while there, hiking, fishing, hunting, or throwing frisbee. It can be alone or as a group. You can bring your food or get it there. I know this is pretty vague and almost all inclusive.
Camping to me is a planned stay away from home. The comfort level desired will vary quite a bit. For me I'd rather be toughing it out a night in the rain under a tree than wondering if the sheets have been changed at the Marriott. To be sure my "duck blind" coffee will be much better than the one at the Marriott. I am not much on the pay campsites with all of the amenities and the crowds either. Most of my camping is done along rivers and I have only what I can get to the destination by boat. Usually with just my family or one other family.
Ok I got it. I figured it out finally. There are several types of camping.
One would be recreational camping. This would include anything from a tent to a $100,000.00 motorhome. It is the most common form of camping and the primary type that I have done all my life. It is reasonably comfortable and great for families.
The other would be primitive camping. This would be the most likely type for members of this forum. It includes any structure made in the field to a simple tarp or even no shelter at all. It would include finding your own food, water etc.
Of course in those two catagories are may other ways to do it. For instance you may bring your own food, water etc but still build a debris shelter.
Hope - this thead got me to thinking of my youth. In doing so, it has raised a question in my mind. When I frequented weekend parties, imbibed in too much liquor, and passed out (under a tree, in a lounge chair next to a pool, on the back deck, on the roof, on the roof of a 63 Chevy, on the beach, under the boardwalk in Ocean City, etc., etc.) was I camping?
To me camping is a planned trip, spending your nights under canvas or the stars, weather permitting. Meals consist of food carried with you cooked on a stove, or if allowed an open fire. It's a means of getting some peace and quiet without distractions of a TV, computer and traffic.
IMO Yes, you were..Just doing a poor job of planning your accomadations or maybe not?Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
Yep this is what I think of as camping also. I like to drive to a location and hike a few hours to the campsite also. Hopefully near a clean body of water where we can do some fishing and or trapping to get some meat on the camp fire. If no meat then we have to eat the canned beans and rice we bring along.Quote:
Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL
Yes. We were camping back then. :innocent:Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
Thinkin' about the oriinal question..........
If the truck is nearby, or if I have a cooler with me, or if it's at a campsite, or if I can see another tent, or if I didn't carry everything in on my back, or if there's electric service within a mile of me, then it's camping.
If I'm miles away from my truck and everything I have with me was in or attached to my pack, it's backpacking. :clap:
It's where ever I plant my a$$ for the night that ain't home. Usually involves a tent or a tarp for shelter.
So were the pioneers camping, were the mountain men camping, are the astronauts on the space station for one year, are they camping....???? Were the cowboys on cattle drive camping....? Fredrick C. Selous spent many, many years on end 24/7 hunting and exploring Africa in the 1870'ish to 1912'ish was he camping, or was that his home, and he camped for a week in some port while picking up supplies...?
Does it make a difference if it is work or recreation.....? If I am guiding Hunters for three months continuously living in a two man tent is that camping for the hunter if I cook all his meals, and wash the dishes.....? Is it camping for me if it is my employment.....?
Depends really.
If I'm with the wife, camping is a 5 star rest. followed by a 5 star hotel.
If I'm with the wife and kids, camping is loading up the minivan with everything including the kitchen sink, popping up the 4 room tent, breaking out both stoves and the monster coolers. And working.
If I'm by myself or meeting fellow hunters of my style in the woods, camping is a tarp, wool blanky, water carrier and cup, a loaf of bread, cheese, deer jerky, tea and anything else I can throw in the haversack. And I'm off on a relaxing trek, me, myslef, and I. I can use the Lancaster ramrod for a fishing pole, always have line and hooks. If I see a critter I can eat special, if not then it's what I have already listed.
What is camping? I have no idea. I know what I like to do.
I have a survival pack that weighs about 15 lbs. I like to head off into the bush in remote locations and set up a shelter, it could be a tarp, natural shelter, or a sheltered location.
I then make myself a nice soft bed usually ripping up several large armloads of grass. Collect wood, fill my water containers. From there I spend my days very unencumbered, totally free to do whatever I want. That usually means exploring, taking photos, shooting video, making bushcraft stuff, hunting, fishing, I call it "Homo Sapiens 1.0" I drink when I'm thirsty, eat when I'm hungry, sleep when I'm tired. My phone doesn't ring and I have no problems because nobody can find me.
Mac
When I answered, I was thinking (and still am) of camping more of recreation and relaxation. A way to unwind, get away from what has become the hectic (although not as much anymore) grind of everyday life. The big difference in the examples that you give is that they are reflective of a lifestyle. To those involved, it is probably nothing more than that. To an outside (modern) observer many of those examples would probably be considered camping.Quote:
Originally Posted by hope
Having gone from a to b in an unmotorized way, carrying my own gear on my back or in my kayak, and staying out overnight.
In your examples, it is surviving to those that are doing it while others want to do it armed with only a knife.
Well the title says "What is camping to you?" So there will not be a right answer or a wrong answer in here at all. Everyone has their own perception on what camping is. Camping to me would just be another day in the life of hope. I think it could almost be defined as "putting oneself into an evironment that they are unfamiliar with and surviving." Like crash said pioneers, cowboys, adventurers etc were/are living a lifestyle. So for them camping could be staying in the Marriot.
What would Britney Spears consider camping.....? What would the Queen of England consider camping.....? If you were born on the ground in a grass hut in a village in Africa, live your whole life in the hut, and die in the hut, did you camp all your life. Can a Nomadic People ever camp....?
Just my opinion Hope, But the only ones listed in your example that are NOT camping is the Astronauts. Whether it is your way of life or not is irrelevant. Everyone listed in your example (except the Astronauts) would, at the end of the day say..." time to set up Camp".Quote:
Originally Posted by hope
I got one for you. Is this camping?
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN7074.jpg
It's a tent. Has full electric, A/C and pretty darn comfy.
Yes and no, Yes it is a Temporary residence utilizing Tents.yes they are called "camps" In the strictest sense of the word Camping No it has electricity. Even when I was in the military I did not consider that camping, Not even Bivouacing. That is a temporary more or less fort. It is most likely surrounded by Barbed wire or Concertina wire Demarking the boundaries of the "fort". Although the Army calls these Camps I.E. Camp Junebug, Camp Cedar or whatever name they decide, I don't consider that Camping. Neither would the soldiers there.
Anybody for a camping trip? Oh wait, define camping?
You joke....But when people ask me to go on a hike, I get a real clear picture of what they call a hike, real clear. I don't want to go if it is to short or to long, are they going to turn back when...??? When "THEY" are tired, or at 3:PM or when we get to the waterfalls. Just because as you say we all have a different idea of what is a day hike, or a camping trip.....?Quote:
Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL
And the point is? I guess you're loosing me. It's no different than me asking you if you want to go to dinner with me. McDonalds or Ruth Chris? How will you know unless you ask me? How will you know what a hike is unless you ask? And how will you know what camping is unless you ask?
I don't believe that to be camping either. My tent was the second from the front. Very comfy actually better than hard billets....more privacy.Quote:
Originally Posted by pocomoonskyeyes
Yes I was joking, but not at your post...It is a good post, caused me to sit and try and list what I bring camping and I found out real quick I wasn't up for typing it. Having been on few trips lately I will be scaling back my gear considerably. Thanks Hope!Quote:
Originally Posted by hope
Bless you my son :)I was feeling bad about retiring. Now not so much :)Quote:
Originally Posted by doug1980
Oh come on now....those were some of my best times in the Service. Nothing better than sleeping on a cot in a tent while falling asleep to the sound of mortars. Now that is heaven. :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pal334
I have only been out now for 5 months and already miss it. Guess I could always join again.
OK Hope I will relent. Is it the purpose of the post to say that everyones idea of camping is varied to say the least? Hat's off good post! I wouldn't be happy at the KOA or even the $5 primitive site. For me I don't wanna see anyone or hear anyone. I really like it if I think I may be standing where no man has stood. Many peoples idea is much different than mine which is more obvious to me now. Thanks, I learned something here!
There I said the same thing only longer, it is what i meant by my sarcasm.
Aaah the spirit of the youth. did that in 73 and again in the sand box. I dare say was more fun in 73 (when I was a kid). Mmmm,, if you join again, go Security Forces, they willbe glad to have you :clap: aah,, maybe not a good ideaQuote:
Originally Posted by doug1980
:) Well you see I tried to go Security Forces but I'm color blind so I couldn't. However on all my deployments that what I did. Security, gate guard, convoy escort, etc.... And it was a blast. :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pal334
An FP guy? Was glad to have you guys! A blast? :) I guess your right, would have been something to have you aboard when I was there, could have shown you what "if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying" was about :). My days are over with that. Now working on that little farm, and a big porch in upstate NY and a huge wood shop. Just a couple years to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by doug1980
Yes sir FP. Once the cops got of their "high horses" :) they weren't too bad. Most of my days were spent babysitting. Can't complain though, did 8 months there (2 months longer than the cops) :) and had my own vehicle, 2008 Chevy Silverado. Got to come and go pretty much as I wanted. Being the VCNCO had it's perks. :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pal334
You got it......And I would think more along the lines of Wild Woman, to me having everything you need and nothing you don't need on my back, and starting on a "SOLO" ten day walk-about is a feeling of Freedom few will ever know. No set destination, just a rough target, wonder where ever looks inviting or interesting. Sleep near fresh pure water. The joy of a "Life well WASTED".Quote:
Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL
When I was a child, camping was something that my Dad did to introduce me to "being able to take care of yourself". At first, it was cold and uncomfortable, wet or hot, buggy and smoky, but I stuck with it, absorbed a lot of the basics (more than I knew) and learned much less than I should have learned from the WW2 veteran, hunter, fisherman, and proud mountaineer. He left this earth before my training was done.
Later in life, camping turned into a trailer in a park with fire rings and purchased firewood and a couple hundred people packed closer than I ever was packed growing up on the farm. I didn't get that. I turned away from it for several years and pursued a career... and my camping turned into days of working and nights in hotels in cities and towns that I did not know.
Then, camping turned into a way to get away from the noise and the light, and I was happy to see the swath of the Milky Way flowing across the sky, awed by the nearer stars and planets that were brighter than lightning bugs in the fields.
And, when I was a little older, camping turned into a way to make sure that I could still take care of myself, away from the influences, away from the noise and lights again, learning new things, enjoying practicing skills and acquiring knowledge the way my Dad wanted it to be. I may need those skills for real, at some point. Kinda like a big circle, it seems. The further we go, the closer we get to the beginning.
Wow! That tent city looks like a paradise compared to where I stayed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...V/tentcity.jpg