What I learned on my very first camping trip in Oregon
Chiara Profena, a longtime city dweller with no camping experience, finally took her first trip to Oregon's dunes — and discovered it was far more accessible and enjoyable than she expected. What she thought would be a rugged, isolated ordeal turned out to be a comfortable, well-connected experience at Jesse M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, where she enjoyed the forest, the dunes, and nearby Florence without needing to rough it. Her minimalist approach — bringing only a tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, and folding chairs — proved surprisingly effective, especially with the help of a nearby Safeway for last-minute fire starters and food. Despite a rainy, muddy weekend and a frustrating fire-starting struggle, she slept soundly, loved the ambiance of rain on the tent, and even brought her dog, who doubled as a cozy body warmer. The episode reveals that modern camping isn’t about deprivation — it’s about balance: blending comfort with adventure, and using local resources to make the experience sustainable. Chiara now plans to scale up gradually, trying campfire cooking and better gear, while still embracing the joy of exploring new places without overcomplicating the trip. The real takeaway? You don’t need to be an outdoor expert to love camping. With low expectations, smart prep, and a little help from nearby towns, even a first-timer can have a transformative experience.
First-time campers should prioritize comfort and low expectations — a simple setup with an air mattress and sleeping bag makes a huge difference in sleep quality.
Bring a tarp, towel, and extra layers under your bedding to manage moisture from ground cold, even if it’s not raining heavily.
Always carry a backup fire starter and lighter — matches alone are unreliable in damp, dark conditions.
You don’t need to cook every meal at camp; using nearby towns for food can save time, money, and stress, especially on a first trip.
A jet boil or portable water boiler is a game-changer for quick coffee, ramen, or hot drinks in the wild.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the First-Time Camping Journey
Jamie and Chiara introduce the episode, setting the stage for Chiara’s first-ever camping trip to the Oregon coast, highlighting her lack of outdoor experience and the podcast’s mission to explore the Pacific Northwest.
The Decision to Camp: From Avoidance to Adventure
Chiara reflects on her long avoidance of camping, even in Girl Scouts, and how a podcast conversation finally pushed her to take the leap, setting the stage for her first trip.
Minimalist Prep: What to Bring (and What Not To)
Chiara details her ultra-light approach — only essential gear like a tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, and folding chairs — and how she planned to rely on Florence for food and supplies.
Arrival at Jesse M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
The duo describes the scenic setup at the park, nestled between forest and dunes, with a short trail leading to the iconic Oregon Dunes — a landscape that felt otherworldly and inspiring.
Tent Setup and the Air Mattress Debate
Chiara and her partner set up the tent with no prior practice, but it went smoothly. The air mattress, though seen by some as glamping, made a huge difference in comfort.
“So it ended up being, like, the perfect setting. It was, like, the rain was, like... so ambient, just like dripping on the top of the tent. Like the whole thing ended up being awesome.”
“The ramen is a good easy one too. I feel like I've always wanted to get a jet boil, the devices that boil water really quickly.”
“But like I love not having too much stuff. I don't have to pull six boxes out of my car and shuffle through them to find the one thing I need.”
Hosts
Jamie Hale
person
Chiara Profena
person
Oregon Dunes
place
Jesse M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
place
Oregonian
organization
Oregon Live
organization
Safeway
brand
Sam Bacall
person
Dune (book series)
book
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
book
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