I know some people will hear the word camping and go, “Ew. Who would want to do that?” but i’m telling you right now camping is one of the best experiences you will have. I’m here to tell you today about my first experience on camping and how it has impacted my life.
I was twelve and addicted to my phone. Who wouldn’t be at that age? Everything I did I always had my phone on me or in my hand. If I was in a car I was on my phone. If I had volleyball practice I would sneak my phone between water breaks. When I was having a deep conversation with my parents I would somehow relate it to my phone just so I could be on it. I would be stressed for most of the day and I knew it was my phone causing it but I just tried to deny it. These are all bad traits that I used to have but camping helped me with that.
It started when I was just sitting on my couch, on my phone of course, when all of a sudden my dad told me his idea about going camping over the weekend. My first thought was no way I’m camping. But my dad seemed pretty set on his plan. I mainly didn’t want to go because I didn’t want to not be able to be on my phone due to no reception. But I packed up anyway cause I didn’t have a choice. I cringed at the thought of going on the trip with no phone. I was annoyed and upset. How could I be without my phone? But I managed. Soon enough we got to the camping grounds and got set up. I was only thinking about my phone with every step I took.
Eventually it started to get dark and we were in need of wood for a fire to keep warm and to cook dinner. My father had sent my brother and I on the task of finding a bundle of wood. As we were walking around and searching I looked over and saw a chipmunk. It was sitting on a log staring at me as I crept by. Once I got close enough it scurried away. There was just something so fascinating about seeing the chipmunk in its natural habitat. At that moment I had finally stopped thinking about my phone and more about what’s actually around me. Nature.
From that point on I started paying attention to my surroundings and it felt like I could take a deep breath in for once. My stress had been relieved within the next hour and I found myself laughing and enjoying the moment. If you are reading this blog hunched over on your phone till your head hurts then I think this is a sign for you to get up, drop the phone, and go outside. Take a break! My life has improved greatly. Now if I am bored, instead of going on my phone, I will go outside and take a deep breath and do an activity like reading a book in the sun. Camping is definitely an experience that I think everyone should at least try once in their life.
Rose Avila – Carmel Catholic High School – DMSF Class of 2029
Photo Credit: Dave Hoefler – Unsplash