Primitive camping means a lot of different things to different people.

For my demonstration today I’m referring to what my husband and I call primitive camping. This means backpacking into the wilderness and setting up a camp with what we’ve carried in, including building a fire for warmth, finding and filtering water, cooking over a one burner stove, and sleeping in a tent with sleeping bags. It also means knowing the local wildlife and taking precautions with our food, such as using a bear canister and bringing nothing into our tent with a scent.

So in this instance I’m not talking about going into the wilds, with only a knife, to live off the land.

But then, neither am I referring to camping in a giant RV complete with power and toilets and TV reception.

As you read, think about each skill set and consider how it could help you cope easier during a natural disaster or emergency scenario…

There are plenty of people with far more knowledge about primitive camping than I have. But my point here is that by getting out in nature, at any level, and learning how to cope without modern conveniences gives you a skill set you’ve probably never had before, which will build your confidence over time. Heck, just being outside in nature and changing weather patterns is a whole new experience for most people. You’ll find yourself invigorated and eager to learn more.

Sometimes Hubby and I end up camping in a structured campground in a park, but we can still keep it pretty primitive by using a tent for sleeping, and cooking over a fire. If we’re really not roughing it, we’ll bring a two-burner camp stove. But no matter where or how we end up camping, it always gives us the wonderful opportunity to work on our bushcraft knowledge and practice new skills.

Here’s a list of skills I’ve added to my self-reliance knowledge base over time:

• Understand how to choose a suitable site for my camp based on my surroundings, the weather conditions, local animal population and nearness of a water supply.

• Well practiced at quickly setting up and taking down a tent.

• Alternate ways to make & find shelter without a commercial tent.

• Know various ways to use natural materials for insulation & warmth.

• Can find, gather and treat water to make it safe to drink.

• Know which natural materials make good tinder and kindling for a fire.

• Knowledge of different types of wood and their burning properties.

• Have multiple ways to make fire with or without matches.

• Can safely build, maintain and extinguish a fire for warmth and cooking.

• Know how to cook over an open flame, as well as various camp stoves.

• Know how to fish in a lake or stream.

• Can identify common edible “weeds” and plants.

• Can identify common poisonous plants and how to treat conditions.

• Know basic first aid and how to use a medical kit.

• Understand the basics of sanitation and health issues of unsanitary conditions.

• Practice “leave no trace” camping —pack out what you bring in.

Do you see why knowing even one of these skills can give you more self-reliance in an emergency or disaster scenario?

I hope this inspires you to try your hand at camping or to at least get out into nature. If you feel more comfortable in a camper–in a structured park setting, then go for it. But during each trip, try some different skills. Start out simple and build from there and soon you’ll be surprised at how much knowledge and experience you’ve garnered!

Do you love to camp? Will you give it a try?Save