Naturalism

Reality and Survival

Wild camping – also called natural camping or naturalism – allows not only greater mobility and a wider variety of options regarding location, but above all the practice of a mindset essential to campers: knowing how to improvise with their own resources.

What is the concept of Naturalism?

Naturalism, as a philosophical system, highlights nature as the first basic principle of human reality.

The naturalist current in camping maintains that nature is formed by the totality of existing physical realities and, therefore, is the unique and absolute principle of reality.

What is Naturalism based on?

In camping, the concept of naturalism is based on the idea that the strongest survive the adversities of society best when faced with the challenges of nature, while others perish from this practice.

In wild camping, contrary to what many people think, you can indeed camp alone or not, without fear, and you can also bring children or elderly people, although this requires much greater responsibility, and you, especially, and everyone else should have some knowledge, experience, or be already accustomed to this routine.

See more at... How to camp

They know, for example, that hunting and fishing are not predatory activities if done at the right time and with due care; they also know that collecting firewood and using campfires will not harm the flora if several basic precautions are observed in choosing branches and ensuring the safety of fire sites.

Carefully observe the area before setting up your tent; if there are no nests in the nearby trees, or if the birds become very agitated, this is a sign of a nesting site nearby.

Contrary to what one might imagine, wild camping offers far more opportunities to connect with the locals.

Choose an area that is not too rugged, preferably the coast, which is generally easier to access.

Wild camping requires a series of precautions regarding location selection, tent protection, waste disposal, septic tank, water supply, campfire, and protection against insects and snakes, always aiming for your comfort without damaging the area. Essentially, it's about utilizing as many natural resources as possible, avoiding bringing sophisticated and unnecessary equipment.

The art of camping lies precisely in using the resources that are at hand.

So, if you're camping on the beach or near a river, be prepared for menus based on fish, instead of canned feijoada.

You can get by perfectly well with the fruits and vegetables from the region, so bring as little grocery shopping as possible, and antivenom (anti-snake and anti-arachnid serum) is recommended.

It is essential to always camp near fresh water; if there is any doubt about the water, it is advisable to boil it before using it.

In a wilderness area, it is practically impossible to camp without fresh water, and without it you will be in serious trouble and will possibly have to search for it at all costs.

Do not wash dishes under running water, nor throw food scraps into the river.

To wash dishes, remove water in a basin or bucket (we have already covered this in other chapters) and throw the scraps into a hole or septic tank, and when you leave, don't forget to cover everything with soil.

Animals should not be killed, except for their own survival; nor should they be scared away, because a true camper lives side by side with nature, and uses its resources, but knows how to respect them.

Look carefully at the area to see if there are any nearby bird nests, and don't throw stones so as not to scare them away.

Read more... Wild camping

When leaving, carefully check the area and try to leave it exactly as you found it; to avoid insects, it's advisable to never leave the tent open and use repellents; if you don't have any, another good tip is to use cooking oil (used frying oil is even better!).

Before putting on clothes, it's advisable to shake them and check shoes and boots.

Throwing garlic on the fire scares away insects, or a pile of green leaves also scares them away because of the smoke, and for bees, throwing a strong brine (one liter of water with half a kilo of salt) near the campsite will make them flee and disappear.

It is recommended that you always wear boots and carry a machete to clear areas. 72% of snakebite accidents occur on the feet or the lower third of the leg.

It is clear that organized campsites contribute to a greater distancing from nature, due to the series of facilities and amenities they offer, and this is said by the people who frequent them.

Some of these campsites were formed following European and North American standards, with swimming pools, game rooms, and others even have arcades and free internet.

"But we live in a tropical country that is totally different from the gringos, and our campsites don't have to obey the rules or standards of any of them, this should be reviewed by the business owners!"

Okay, convenience and comfort are essential for human beings, but how about experiencing the sensation of going into the woods and picking a fruit (like a tomato, for example, that you were thinking of buying at the supermarket) or any vegetable, such as a palm heart extracted from its own stem; coconut, mango, jackfruit, chayote, breadfruit, and even medicinal plants.

A wild camping trip is a great opportunity to appreciate natural food.

A Little Bit of Biology

Evolutionary Theories

One of the great questions in Biology has been precisely to explain how the planet harbors such a great diversity of living beings. Besides the quantity of species, the varied forms of living beings also intrigued people.

Initially, through mystical and religious explanations, a static model was proposed, according to which life was created as we know it today.

However, the development of the natural sciences, particularly Biology, allowed the elaboration of new hypotheses to explain the process of changes that have been occurring over time in the species of living beings.

These dynamic changes – which can lead to the formation of new species, adaptation, or extinction – are the object of study of evolution, a branch of Biology that has become the central paradigm of this science.

PAST – It doesn't matter what the past has made of me.

What matters is what I will do with what the past has made of me.

                    Jean-Paul Sartre – French philosopher (1905-1980)

This article is also available in Portuguese: Naturalismo