The Joy of Camping
A self-discovery

My first experience sleeping in a tent was when I was 8 or 9 years old. We lived in a remote village in the French Alps, and my parents had purchased an old sheepfold in the mountain built at least 200 years ago. As my parents spent most of their free time renovating the main part of the house, they set up a large tent for us four kids, my three brothers and I.
I remember the feeling of safety brought by the tarp surrounding us, conversations with my brothers before falling asleep that felt like they were long into the night as we were not supervised by our parents, but it probably would only have been a few minutes before we fell deeply asleep. I remember waking up when one of us had to pee and was too scared to step outside in the dark alone. I would hold the flashlight towards them until they finished their business and came back inside.
One night the four of us were woken up because we heard scratching noises around the tent. The oldest of my brothers Jérémie and I realized that a group of boars were likely surrounding us, but we said nothing to the others so that they wouldn’t be scared. We remained still and eventually, the boars left. Other nights, some large squirrels were walking all over the trees above us that were filled with apples, the apples would then fall onto our tent making large “bangs” waking us all ! I realize that this feeling of surrounding love, comfort and protection brought by the tent and the closeness with my dear brothers is what I associate camping with.
I had to put my love for camping on hold for a while between my childhood and my early twenties — I actually didn’t even know I liked camping until I moved to Canada. In British Columbia, most locals go camping regularly and have all the gears necessary for a good night of sleep. I got to tag along many camping trips then, and got out as often as I could.
I found camping to be therapeutic. Sleeping outdoors, with nothing but a small tarp shell separating me from the outside world gives me an intense sense of joy and freedom. I feel safe, I feel whole and I don’t feel threatened.
Even as I hear noises of branches moving, scratches around me or sniffing around, I try to not let the fear surpass me. I have had girlfriends confiding in me that camping is scary to them: anything could happen, there isn’t really a backup plan unless you have a car to sleep in. It’s hard to think one can get a good night of sleep in these conditions.
I personally always fall deeply asleep when I am camping. My absolute favorite is when it is lightly raining outside, creating this very smoothing sounds that could pass as a berceuse.
If you are a woman reading this story and want to try out camping, I recommend finding a friend who wants to do it with you so you can figure it out together. Looking at the stars, making a fire, and playing cards are all fun activities that will take you away from your day-to-day life.
All you really need is a tent, a mattress and a sleeping bag. These items can be bought second hand and can be affordable if you look for it carefully. The sensation of waking up in the nature, even in a paid camping spot can be very exciting, as you need to cultivate a very different morning routine that what you are used to doing at home. Especially in times of pandemic, I found camping to be enough to feel like you have traveled the world. Every sound, smell and feeling is different and you get to explore a very new environment.
Every time I go camping feels like a new adventure. I do like my comfort, and bought a small portable gas stove to make my morning coffee. I usually like to fill my camp days with hiking, chilling by the lake, kayaking and then making a good cooked dinner at night around the fire. In the morning, I wake up with sunshine and spend time reading a good book. In most places I go to there isn’t any signal available and as such, there is plenty of time for thinking, looking inward, meditate and write.
Every camping trip is a self-exploration, testing my own patience, and the ability I have to be comfortable with myself and my own thought. If you have any question about how to start and need some tips, please ask away!
I am speaking to you from my warm and cozy living room, in a populated and vibrant City. Montréal is famous for its parks, waterways, and green streets. However, even if I feel blessed by the greenery surrounding me, the end of the day what I see from my living room is concrete jungle, interrupted by a few segments of naturally growing grass the City hasn’t decided to cut yet.
When did we get so disconnected from nature as a society? I understand our current lifestyles bring many privileges, including running water, heat and electricity. But is this a reason for forgetting the smell of fresh air, the sight of water condensing on top a lake, the ocean breeze, the feeling of warm sand on our feet — these very mere feelings and sensations humans have felt for thousands of years all over the world?