Benefits of being an avid camper

jlj · 03-01-2011, 12:32 PM

I was just on another thread where the discussion evolves how we are all ultimately responsible for our own safety and wellbeing and I was thinking that people who camp and backpack a lot seem to be way better equipped (mentally, physically and provision-wise) to deal with emergencies and natural disasters than the average person. Because of this, I think it's important to teach and encourage others to take this activity up because so many people are so far detached from any kind of skills for self-preservation, it's scary. I often think of the complete chaos our country would be in if a nationwide disaster ever strikes.

ChadTower · 03-01-2011, 12:44 PM

Chicken and egg. Self reliant people like to camp/hike. It isn't the activity that makes them self reliant.

Grandpa · 03-01-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadTower

Chicken and egg. Self reliant people like to camp/hike. It isn't the activity that makes them self reliant.

I agree, we are an independant bunch. I've been thinking back over the years about all the first timers that I have hiked with. The successful ones were all independent, self reliant people. Some of the less successful ones were too but dropped out of the sport for other reasons.

jlj · 03-02-2011, 02:26 PM

That's a good point. I think it's too bad not more people learn the basic skills of taking care of themselves in an emergency situation. I wonder if it would be beneficial to add some of these skills as standards to the public school system. I find that my children have way more confidence in themselves when they learn how to do something like--build fires or even set up a tent. Just seems like common sense to me.

Grandpa · 03-02-2011, 04:18 PM

A few years ago did a few hikes with my son-in-law and one of his friends. This guy was a real ditz. Even after several hikes, this guy still had no common sense on what went in his pack. And then complained because his pack was too heavy. If a problem arose, he would freak out. When this happened his only link to sanity was us.

Then son-in-law moved and I never saw the ditz for a few years. I ran into him last summer in the Jed Smith Wilderness. He, his wife and 2 year old son. I hardly recognized him because he just reeked of confidence. They were on their way out after a week in the high country. Evidently, he had learned his lessons much better than I ever thought he could because they were all smiling and happy. When he told me of some of the treks he had taken his family on, I had a hard time keeping my jaw up where it should be. The wimp had become a man and I'm convinced it was confidence gained in the outdoors.

On second thought, maybe that new wife taught him things that we didn't, ***wink***