The Morning That Changed How I See Friendship
A few years ago I was camping with a group of girlfriends at Angostura Reservoir in South Dakota. It was one of those peaceful mornings where coffee somehow tastes better simply because you’re outside.
We were sitting outside our cabin overlooking the lake when one of the women casually shared something that caught my attention. She said she was frustrated that when they were in social situations, her husband would just sit there and scroll on his phone.
It wasn’t dramatic. It was just honest.
But something shifted in that moment.
When we’re younger, many of us feel pressure to present the perfect version of our lives. Perfect marriages. Perfect jobs. Perfect kids. We smile and pretend everything is fine even when it isn’t.
Suddenly that conversation opened up. We began sharing our own stories. Nobody judged. Nobody tried to fix anything. We simply listened and understood.
And that’s when I realized something powerful.
It’s okay to not have the perfect life. And it’s incredibly freeing to talk honestly with women who understand because they’ve been there too.
That morning changed how I thought about friendship.
It also pushed me to go find more of it.
Joining a Camping Community Changed Everything
After that trip, I decided I wanted more experiences like that. More meaningful conversations. More campfires. More friendships built outdoors.
So I joined a women’s camping community.
The first thing I did was sign up for an upcoming camping event. I also joined the group’s Facebook community.
That small step made a huge difference.
Just being in the Facebook group allowed me to recognize names and faces before the event even happened. People were sharing trip photos, talking about camping gear, and discussing upcoming events.
By the time I arrived at the campout, I didn’t feel like I was walking into a crowd of strangers.
I already had a few virtual connections, and that made it much easier to start conversations.
Sometimes friendships begin online and grow around a campfire later.
Volunteering Helped Me Meet People Faster
When I registered for that first event, I also volunteered to help.
That turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made.
Volunteering immediately introduced me to experienced campers and longtime members of the community. Instead of feeling like the new person standing on the sidelines, I became part of the team helping make the event happen.
When you’re working together setting up activities or organizing meals, conversations happen naturally. Before long, I was meeting women who I’m still friends with many years later.
Group Activities Make Camping Friendships Happen
At the event, I also made sure to sign up for group activities.
Some were simple things like group hikes or morning coffee gatherings. Others were a bit more challenging and involved full moons. IYKYK But, each activity introduced me to more people.
Now I know this may not feel comfortable for everyone. Walking into a group activity where you don’t know anyone can feel intimidating. But if you step outside your comfort zone just a little, it can open the door to incredible friendships. Most of the women there are hoping to meet new people too.
The Reward of Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
One thing I’ve learned about myself over the years is that I actually like being pushed outside my comfort zone. But, that push doesn’t need to be a dramatic one for you. Maybe it’s just a small one that’s enough to try something new.
Afterwards, there is always this rewarding feeling of thinking:
I did something.
I introduced myself to someone new.
I joined the hike.
I sat down at a campfire with women I had just met.
And every time I did that, my circle of friends grew.
The truth is, most women are looking for the same thing. We all want meaningful connections. We want friendships. We want to feel like we belong somewhere.
We want to find our tribe.
How Women Can Make Camping Friends
If you’re hoping to make camping friends, here are a few simple ways to begin:
- Join a camping community
- Participate in online camping groups
- Attend camping events or meetups
- Volunteer to help with activities
- Join group hikes, meals, or workshops
- Start a conversation at the campground
None of these steps require you to be the most outgoing person in the room.
Sometimes all it takes is showing up.
Conversation Starters When Meeting Other Campers
If you’re not sure how to start a conversation with someone new, here are some easy prompts that work well around campgrounds.
Easy camping questions
- “Where did you travel from?”
- “Is this your first time camping here?”
- “What’s your favorite place you’ve camped?”
Gear conversations
- “I love your camper setup. What kind is it?”
- “Do you have a favorite camping gadget?”
- “How do you like that camp stove?”
Adventure questions
- “Have you tried any good hikes around here?”
- “What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken?”
- “Where are you hoping to travel next?”
Friendly openers
- “Is this your first Girl Camper event?”
- “How did you hear about this group?”
- “Would you like to grab coffee tomorrow morning?”
One simple question can turn into a wonderful conversation.
Finding Your Camping Tribe
Making camping friends doesn’t happen overnight. It grows from shared experiences.
A morning coffee by the lake.
A hike with someone you just met.
A late-night conversation around the campfire.
Little by little, strangers become friends.
And before you know it, those friends start to feel like family.
If You See Me at a Campout…
If you ever see me at a Girl Camper campout, please come say hello. I truly mean that.
If you’re feeling a little nervous about introducing yourself, just walk up and say, “Hi Lesa, I read your article about making camping friends.” That will be the perfect conversation starter.
I promise I’ll grab you a chair by the fire and we’ll start getting to know each other.
Because that’s really what Girl Camper is all about.
Women gathering around a campfire, sharing stories, laughing, and realizing we’ve just found a group of people who understand us.
Join the Girl Camper Community
If you’re ready to meet women who love camping, adventure, and meaningful friendships, Girl Camper is the perfect place to start.
👉 Join the Girl Camper community and start making camping friends.
Check out all the events we have planned and get signed up! If you’re not quite ready, then just join our Facebook Group.
