CFA: Camping and Philosophy

Call for Abstracts!

Camping and Philosophy: Big Ideas in the Great Outdoors

Edited by Joshua Heter and David O’Hara

Abstracts are sought for a collection of essays on any philosophical topic related to camping in all its forms (e.g., tent camping, cabin camping, RV and van camping, glamping, kids camp, sleepaway camp, family camp, winter camp, etc.) as well as camping related activities (e.g., canoeing, campfires, fishing, backpacking, orienteering, hiking, etc.) to be published with Milestone Press, an imprint of the University of Georgia Press. Abstracts and eventual essays should be written for an educated but non-expert audience (with an approximate length of 3,000 – 4,000 words). Potential topics include but are not limited to…

Psychology: Why do we camp (i.e., why do we spend our leisure time “roughing it”)? Why do we tell scary stories (around the campfire or anywhere else)?

Ethics: What are the ethical guidelines all campers should follow? Can semi-traditional camping activities like hunting and fishing be justified? Must an ethical camper abide by the “leave no trace” principle?

Metaphysics: What is camping; are there necessary and sufficient conditions for the concept? Does “glamping” count as camping (and does it miss the point)?

Religion: What do the major world religions have to say about spending time in the great outdoors? Can this inform us on how we should camp? Can camping bring us closer to God? Why are there so many Christian camps?

Spirituality: What is it about being in nature that leads so many to have spiritual experiences? What is spirituality? What do these experiences consist of?

Authenticity: Is there such a thing as a real camper (or real camping)? Do we need to “rough it” to really be camping?

Transcendentalism: What can we learn about camping from thinkers (who ventured out into the wilderness) like Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman?

The Good Life: What role do camping and camping-related activities play in living well? Is spending time in the great outdoors necessary for the good life?

Environmental Philosophy: How should we think about the relationship of the camper to the natural environment? Should we limit camping in certain parts of the environment?

Aesthetics: What is it about the great outdoors that is so beautiful? What does it mean to say that there is beauty to be found in nature? Is experiencing beauty in nature fundamental to camping?

Philosophy of Politics: What role does the government play in protecting the environment (specifically for camping or for any other reason)?

The History of Philosophy: What would ancient schools of thought (e.g. the Stoics) have to say about camping (or the best way to camp)?

… and many more!

Contributor Guidelines:

Mail abstracts (and any questions) to: [email protected].

1. Abstracts should be between 100 – 500 words.

2. Potential contributors must include a resume/CV for each author/coauthor.

3. Initial submissions should be made by e-mail as either a Word doc. or a PDF.

4. Deadlines:

Abstracts due by August 4, 2025

First drafts due by November 17, 2025

Final drafts due by January 12, 2026

Early submissions encouraged and welcomed!