Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Campfires, Candlelight, and the Many Ways We Wander

Travel isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s a reflection of who we are and what we need. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores the contrast between rustic camping and refined leisure, honoring both the grit of childhood adventures and the grace of grown-up getaways.

Summer is a popular time for travel, and we are coming to the end. Some families will soon be making their last trip to Ocean City. Some are overseas trekking through mountains and valleys or getting in line to enter the Louvre on the first round so they can spend as much time in the museum as possible. Cameras are clicking, children are melting down, and memories are being made. Let’s hope yours will be good stories to bring home.

As a child, our family spent time camping in August at a crystal-clear lake in Michigan. We could reach the place by car, so the cost was minimal. We did tent camping, so the nightly fee was State Park cheap. We hauled a boat behind the car, so skiing and racing on the water was a thrill. As children, we were convinced that this was the best place ever and we enjoyed returning year after year.

State Parks are a bargain for vacations. There are 63 State Parks in the U.S. Think about that. You could hit one a year and spend time with your children, then your grandchildren, and perhaps your great-grandchildren. And you could reach any one of them by car with your boat in tow.

Campgrounds are available in most of our National Parks so that you can vacation cheaply. Your tent can be practically any size. Our neighbors have four children and a tent that rivals a wedding venue. When they come home, the tent has to be cleaned, of course, so it is set up in the backyard where it looks like it could cover a quarter of an acre. Of course, I realize that it is not that big, but trust me, it’s enormous.

I admire my parents for taking on this summer process. I admire my neighbors for their camping expertise as well. But camping is not for me. I do not want to be digging trenches in the rain to keep the tent dry. I do not want to be fighting with the charcoal to light so that eggs and bacon can be fried for the family horde in the morning. I do not want to string a clothesline between two trees for bathing suits to dry in the breeze.

I want to sit by the pool, have lunch in a lovely restaurant, shop along the streets in all of the boutiques, and have a candlelight dinner on the hotel patio. Am I spoiled? Yes. Have I paid my dues to the camping gods? Yes.

Want to explore which travel style suits you best? Visit Vacationment’s guide to backpacking vs luxury travel, Bamba Travel’s breakdown of camping vs glamping, and Euphoric Outfits’ comparison of outdoor vacation styles.

If you’re reflecting on travel preferences, family rituals, or emotional renewal, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, joy, and self-discovery.