There’s nothing quite like escaping the modern world, make a crackling campfire, and staring up at the stars in the middle of the night. With a group or by yourself. It’s many things to many people; an escape, a gateway from the modern world, and (unfortunately) inaccessible for some.
When I was 15 years old, I was able to make a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico with my Boy Scout troop. This was my first taste at hiking in the backcountry. These are designated areas where no permanent man-made constructs are allowed, and nature is allowed to thrive with minimal human interaction. It’s where I began to learn the principles of Leave No Trace and nature conservancy. I began to learn about myself. How much blisters can truly hurt, especially on your sixteenth birthday. How much I liked to complain about things when they didn’t go the way I expected. And how much I enjoyed stories and campfire songs.
At first glance, there are tons of options. Honestly too many options. And that doesn’t even touch all the gear that’s “required” in order to stay in any of the National and State Parks. The idea of camping should focus on having fun and safety is sidetracked by companies selling all kinds of specialty gear to certain demographics (whether they know this or admit to it is another story entirely). Sometimes it feels like the ability to stay in the woods has been cut off by some unknown entity, which is most likely the modern world.
I turned 16 years old while on the trail at Philmont Scout Ranch. I didn’t know myself yet, but I would in the coming years. My “self” easily became lost in the grander of the universe and a nature that is greater than humans. But all too soon I traveled back to the modern world and it’s politics and intricacies. I would learn what others expected of me. And being able to look up at the stars allowed for this break in my life. This sense of wonder and awe.
Camping is becoming more difficult to achieve because of many elements. Who can go camping, how much money you have, as well as time, and how busy are each camping sites? It should be a five star experience, but has become much more complicated than it should be. I give Camping three stars.