Saketh Elumalai (10): My love for camping started when I first joined Boy Scouts. Joining Scouts let me channel my interest for nature into an environment where I can learn and explore with others. Now, my scout troop camps out once a month with either a day-long outing or a full campout.

Our hiking excursions usually have a mix of hiking and camping. We usually drive up to a trailhead and then hike the rest of the way to our camp spot. For me, the biggest challenge is having a lighter backpack that still has everything I need, especially when I am carrying all my gear for miles on end. I always like to carry a tent as well. The privacy and protection from bugs makes a very big difference for me.

One of my most memorable experiences is when my troop had a nine-day trek in Philmont Scout Ranch, around New Mexico. We hiked through a massive mountain range and set up camp wherever we stopped for the day. Getting to take in all of the sunrises and sunsets in a mountain range that big was truly a unique experience that made me appreciate life and nature a lot more. The experience was also heightened by my fellow scout mates, specifically Adhrit Tiwari. He always knows what he is doing outside and is really sociable on hikes. 

I’ve also tried snow camping, where me and a few other guys dug a hole in the snow to sleep in, though we did have to switch back to tents because of an incoming storm, and we didn’t want to be snowed in for a whole day. Wildlife is also a big part of the experience too. I’ve had a few encounters with bears, which was definitely a bit scary. Bugs and spiders sometimes get in the tent which is a bit annoying. I used to be really scared of having to get the bugs out of the tent, but the more I’ve done it, the easier it gets.

The best part of camping is being able to avoid distractions like technology. In a house, or in school, you feel boxed in and distracted by your surroundings, but in the wilderness you feel you have the freedom to do whatever you want. To anyone that may be hesitant to go camping, it may seem scary at first, but it’s a great way to escape the routine of daily life and just be out in open nature.