What do you camp for?

For many of us camping is just like any other trip, we reach our intended destination and enjoy our time alone, with friends or with our families in a different location to break the mold.

Truth be told, every trip is inherently unique and distinguishable from the others, but what makes it so? Have you ever routinely visited a place that it became the new norm, or have you visited so many camps that each and every blurred in with the rest and what to do if you ever find yourself that you camp out of a habit instead of pure enjoyment like it used to be?

How to keep that Camping rush going?

For starters, let`s assume that you aren`t a new camper, but neither an experienced camper, in this state you are still feeling the enjoyment of visiting a new place every time you organise a trip. Do you see your excitement dwindling with each successive trip you make? Since camping is different from staying at a luxurious hotel, there are no landmarks you can pinpoint or recall a moment when you notice “that room with the vividly red curtains”. You are in a forest, or at the beach surrounded by nature and while the easiest solution to this conundrum would be to just take greater intervals in between your travels, there is a more efficient alternative.

Still assuming you are traveling to a different place each time, exploration of the area is the key to your enjoyment yes, but there are layers of depth to that exploring and you want to make sure you distinguish them in greater detail, for instance while traveling to France might be just an ordinary visit to try the local cuisine for a regular person, you could prepare yourself in advance by reading up on the particularities of that region.

For the aforementioned France one might pick up a book about local exclusive plant life and venture out to gather a handful of, a species of flower endemic to France found only in the period from May to June. Why not keep a herbarium and try to compile as many unique flora from each region you visited? It will help you learn not only the differences between plants that you encounter but after years of collecting it`s sure to spark a great conversation between friends.

Plants are not your thing?

Fret not, it is reasonable to assume that you already thought the same can be done with birds, insects and other species of animals… as long as you don’t collect them and put them in a book that is. A preferable alternative would be to take photos, even if you aren’t a studied photographer, this way you would learn multiple things simultaneously, reading up on the species of wildlife present in your targeted destination while also trying out different approaches of photography until you find a style that suits you best is both fun and educational. Plus keeping an album of your favourite photographs will help you jog your memory when you think of the place you took it, if you are so inclined write a few things about your experience while trying to find the species on your photo, if it was hard, how long did it take and briefly describe the location where you found it. Best thing is, it doesn’t have to be an ultra-high quality camera but if it is, it will of course help.

Cultural heritage

There is a lot more beauty to our world than the few world renowned man-made constructs and natural wonders, try seeking out recommendations from the locals or if you prefer to uncover the region`s secrets yourself try to research interesting facts about the region online and reach them by yourself. Every region and every culture is bound to have folklore and stories surrounding their creation or myths and legends about sites around the area.

As you listen to or read stories about the places you visit you may as well keep a diary where you keep notes and tabs about the traditions and practices of the locals, then who knows? You might write a book about your travels or even uncover a never before heard tale of old.

Of course if your plan is to simply relax and enjoy your time off, it is a valid pastime of your deserved holiday, but at least once try to engage in the role of an adventurer and see if that lifestyle would fit you because nothing will prove more valuable to you than memories and knowledge.