Camping is a Great Achievement Oriented Activity.

             There is a psychological component to camping which I always find interesting. In a typical year, we have ten or more families joining us from around the country at DH Day campground. This year, a previously scheduled trial of mine made the event more anarchy and less planning. Unlike living large at the Homestead, camping is hard work as constant chores need to be preformed in order to keep the campsite running smoothly. Making meals, boiling water for dishes, getting more water, hand washing the dishes, cleaning up the campsite, getting the tent ready for bedtime for children, corralling the children, s’mores around the campfire, and all the other typical things that have to be done when herding children into bedtime.

            So why do my friends love camping so much given the pain it inflicts? I think that people like feeling like they achieved something that is not work related. When we are at work, we work. When we are on vacation, some people like to kick their feet up and just lie around. Others, like myself, cant stand too much lying around.

            I always feel like I have achieved something after a 10th mountain division hut trip or other backcountry excursions, a long term camp trip, a sail boat passage across an open expanse of water or other adventure. I love camping because I feel pride in the achievement of camping.