Camping or Not: The Most Important Thing You Can Bring

Planning to Go Camping?

I've always loved being in nature. From short walks in the forest to intimate picnics on the coastline, every moment feels like it belongs to me. I lose track of time.

When I was little, if there was one thing I loved more than eating the flowers from the acacia tree in my grandmother's village garden, it was staring at the dark night sky and watching the stars from her place. Maybe that's why the idea of camping never seemed like a strange plan to me; there was always something familiar about it.

The moments when I truly enjoy myself and lose track of time always remind me of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. You know he famously explained it by saying, "When you sit with a nice girl for two hours, you think it's only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute, you think it's two hours. That's relativity."

As someone who loves nature and feels a sense of belonging there, when a close friend first suggested we go camping, I was naturally on board.

If an activity, a job, or a project appeals to me and I really want to do it, I dive in without thinking twice. I don't usually make sudden decisions; if I do, it means I've already considered that possibility. While this might be surprising to my friends who say I'm spontaneous, I love planning as much as I love taking smart risks when the time is right.

That's why the idea of camping, at first glance, wasn't strange nor was it a risk I couldn't manage. At least, that's what I thought.

First of All

I'm publishing this article about camping in August for a specific reason: as someone who has camped twice in late September in the west of a country like Türkiye, which experiences four seasons, I can tell you that equipment is everything.

I remember my teeth chattering at night during my second camping trip, searching online for "what time does the sun come up?" I'm sorry, but this article is based on true stories.

The kind of story where you go on a trip with a friend and come back separately.

But first, let's start with a "Camping 101" introduction and talk about what you need for camping.

Camping 101

As days go by, brands fill the shelves with products that make our needs more personal. The same goes for camping.

So, while the problem used to be keeping our drinks warm for a long time, now details like the color, design, or handle position of a thermos can be the reason for our choice. Your needs can vary greatly depending on how you want to experience your camping adventure.

For those who want to hitchhike with just a backpack, basic items are necessary, while the needs are completely different for a family camping in a caravan.

Therefore, the priority should be to start with who you are and what kind of experience you want. After that, there are some essential items that don't change regardless of who you go with or where you go.

In addition to what I mentioned in my "Your Essential Guide: What to Pack for Nature Walks, Hikes & Treks" article, season-appropriate clothes, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a tent, and a sleeping bag are the first things that come to mind.

If you're the one starting the campfire, having a lighter or matches with you is just as important as remembering to put out the fire after you're done. It's your responsibility to find out if you're allowed to make a fire or camp in the place you're traveling to or staying in.

If you're a first-timer, joining a group activity might be a good idea.

If you've brought what you need and your marshmallows to roast over the campfire, we can hit the road.

Below, I've listed five truly ideal places to camp around the world. My heart ached while researching them, and I hope I can go there one day. My favorite is at the top of the list. If you've camped at any of these places before, don't forget to let me know in the comments!

Five Truly Ideal Places to Camp Around the World

1. Yellowstone National Park, USA: With its geysers, colorful thermal pools, and wildlife, Yellowstone is a paradise for camping enthusiasts. An unforgettable camping experience awaits you in this park, home to deer, bison, and even wolves, where you can be intertwined with nature.
   

2. Sahara Desert, Morocco: Endless sand dunes during the day and a priceless starry spectacle at night… Camping in the Sahara is like isolating yourself from the world and stepping into a completely different universe. You can stay in traditional nomadic camps or choose more comfortable tents to experience this unique adventure.
   

3. Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand: Nestled among the Southern Alps, Aoraki / Mount Cook offers dramatic mountain landscapes and clear night skies. Camping here gives you the chance to sleep under the stars and explore alpine trails. Visitors should check local regulations for camping and fire use, and ensure they comply with New Zealand visa requirements before traveling.
   

4. Boya Lake Provincial Park, Canada: The address for those seeking peace with its clear lakes formed in the Ice Age and untouched forests. You can canoe on the lake, go hiking, and relax your soul to the sounds of birds.
   

5. Likya Yolu / Lycian Way, Türkiye: Stretching along the Mediterranean coast, the Lycian Way offers stunning sea views, ancient ruins, and diverse trails. Camping is possible at designated spots along the route, but during the summer months, forest fires can lead to restrictions on camping and fire use.

   Before planning any of these trips, make sure to check the visa requirements for your nationality, as entry rules vary from country to country.

   
   
   
   

First Real Camping Experience

My first camping experience was with a friend I'd known for a long time.

Before we left, she sent me a picture titled "Camping Rules." This list, which even included a smiling face, was promising at first, and the rules were great—if you followed them!

I don't know if it's just my memories that are always this weird, but groupings started from the moment we hit the road and began shopping together. And there were only five of us!

We arrived at the campsite late, so we needed firewood to last us the whole night before it got dark, but as a first-time camper, I had no idea about this.

The strange part was that I was with a couple who expected me to figure it out instead of telling me, and then got upset. We were so far from the city, it was too late to go back, and the camping trip had just begun.

I think bad experiences have a "maturity period" before they become memories worth remembering, transitioning from tragic to funny.

They can turn from a memory we want to suppress into a story we tell our friends with laughter, evaluating them as an experience. If you have a truly close social and emotional support system, this maturity period can be quite short. So, the next day, you might be telling these stories with laughter while having your aperitifs—if you want to learn about aperitifs from Maggy, the link will be here—or you might remember them with bitterness and hatred years later. Our lives are made up of our choices, and only you know which one you want.

Just as the wood wasn't collected on time, the tent wasn't set up on time, and the food wasn't cooked on time either. I can honestly say I felt like I had voluntarily joined "Survivor" without signing any agreement and without knowing it.

This experience taught me that I need to gather friendships in my life where I won't notice the time passing while waiting for the campfire to heat the pasta water. Just because you've known someone for a long time, went to the same school, and were once best friends doesn't mean you have to keep them in your life. If you argue otherwise, I'd suggest you go camping together. I'm sure your mind will change afterward.

After getting through that night, where I wore all the clothes I brought and couldn't leave the campfire to keep from freezing, some good changes happened in my life. For example, I felt strong, thinking that if I could get through that night, I could get through anything.

Joking aside, time spent in nature is full of incredible opportunities to learn. This is true whether you're camping or just taking a short walk. I don't know of a better plan for learning, having fun, and resting.

Voyacing

When I wake up on a camping morning, if I've managed to sleep for at least a few hours, I always take a few seconds to look around and figure out where I am. I even gave a name to this feeling in a recent article I wrote called "The Path from Blame to Contentment": "voyac."

Nowadays, a fun version I repeat to myself while bringing a spoon of soup to my mouth, and remember and smile about while tying my shoelaces to go outside, is "voyacing." It definitely reminds me of the morning grogginess of traveling and the few seconds of staring at the plastic that surrounds me.

So, if you're traveling with a friend and you see them looking around a bit groggy in the morning, you can ask them, 'Are you voyacing?'

I'm sure we'll see a product related to VOYAC at VAGY soon.

Maybe slogan T-shirts? I'll be waiting for your suggestions in the comments!

Honestly, I haven't had many camping experiences just three times, and in the ones I have had, I now realize I lost the magic of the moment because of my sense of responsibility and my attitude of complaining about equipment that wasn't suited for the seasonal conditions.

We talked about what you should take with you when you go camping, right?

We can add camping friends who can turn all difficulties into ease to that list.

Be Careful Who You Take

Another one of my experiences wasn't much different, as it happened in similar weather conditions and a similar location. I'm talking about the time I checked my phone and searched online for when the sun would rise. In this camping experience, as if everything else wasn't enough, I also tripped as I was leaving the tent the next day and fell flat on my face, barely able to open my eyes at that hour when the sun hadn't fully risen yet. You can imagine the level of my frustration.

My next experience was also a camping trip we had with the person who was my best friend at that time. The next morning, we called a taxi and went our separate ways.

While writing this, I couldn't stop myself from laughing and realized that maybe camping with close friends isn't such a good idea.

There isn't a single enjoyable experience. I don't talk to that friend anymore, but don't worry, the reason isn't that camping trip. Still, if it were that trip, I'm sure you would understand what happened if you knew the details.

I guess this article was supposed to get people who have never camped excited, and encourage those who have to share their own experiences, right?

When I started writing, I didn't think it would turn out like this. As someone who loves spending time in nature, when I started writing for VAGMAG's Nature & Outdoor Section, I always thought I'd be the kind of person who praises camping, hiking, and gives cool poses surrounded by shades of green somewhere.

I'm sorry, I have no intention of ever lying to anyone. And this doesn't mean you shouldn't camp; you just need to identify your needs correctly and pay attention to open communication.

So, Is Camping Worth It?

While reading, you might have wondered, "Is camping even worth it with so many negative experiences?" Honestly, I asked myself the same question while writing this article. But then I realized that nothing can replace those unforgettable moments, the roasted marshmallows by the campfire, or the unique peace you feel while listening to the silence under the stars.

Yes, maybe I woke up with chattering teeth, maybe I fell flat on my face, or maybe my best friend and I parted ways, but all these experiences made me a more life-savvy, stronger, and funnier person.

What's more, looking back, they remained as many memories that were fully lived. They are the kind of memories from which I could learn lessons, see my own mistakes, and grow into a better version of myself.

Being in nature isn't just about having the right gear or the right friends; it's about discovering our limits, adapting to unexpected moments, and most importantly, surrendering to the magic of the moment. Far from the chaos of city life, the moments when you can notice how miraculous even a single dewdrop on a leaf is are worth all the difficulties.

That's why I think camping is still a great adventure and a perfect opportunity to turn every challenging moment into a story worth telling.

Remember, the best stories don't come from times when everything was perfect, but from moments when things went a little wrong. Perhaps the camping buddy who taught you the most and made you laugh the hardest was the experience itself.

I have a feeling we'll be back to camping topic, this story was just the beginning.

Do you have similar camping experiences that you remember fondly or with hatred?

Feel free to share!

with care,

Idalia