There's a story a lot of people tell themselves about camping before they've ever tried it: no electricity, meals from a can, a constant eye out for wildlife, and a gear closet you'd need a second mortgage to fill. It's a good story. It's just not a true one.

The truth is, camping bends to fit you. It can be as simple as a tent, sleeping bag, and a cooler full of your favorite snacks, or a lux glamping accommodation with nights under the stars, a plush mattress (and linens!), or something in between somewhere with the camper in tow and your home away from home. There's no single "right" way to do it — and once you let go of the myths, it gets a lot easier to just go.

So, here's what's actually true.

You have to sleep on the hard, cold ground. Not anymore. Modern sleeping pads, air mattresses, and cots have made sleeping outdoors genuinely comfortable — some campers say they sleep better outside than they do at home.

Not into tenting? No problem, so many campgrounds offer rentals that have all the comforts of home with a twist! Many mattresses in campers/RVs can be upgraded to plush memory foam. No sacrificing creature comforts for extra outdoor time.

You need expensive equipment. Starter gear does the job just fine, and a lot of it can be borrowed or bought secondhand. Want to try RVing but don’t want to make the investment just yet? THere are so many rental options out there, like RV Share, or many campgrounds have started offering rentals onsite. Talk about a win-win! 

You'll always be filthy. Sure, it can get a little dirty. But with a washcloth, a bit of camp soap, and a little running water, everything will be alright. Staying clean at camp doesn't take much more effort than it does at home. So go ahead, let the kids be kids and get messy! 

Campfires are required. A campfire is one of camping's best rituals, but it's not the whole trip. They do add to the experience, but it’s okay if they don’t get built. Many campgrounds have stores on site, so you forget your lighter or need extra firewood, they’ve got you covered. If you’re staying at a glamping location, you might have a the experiences of using smokeless camping fire pit.

You'll always be surrounded by bugs. Bugs are part of being outside, but they don't have to run the show. Choosing a site away from standing water, packing insect repellent, and using screens or netting will keep most of them at bay. Additionally, the time of year you go camping may impact the amount of bugs around you. Try booking in the “shoulder-season” for a cooler, less buggy experience. That will typically be those April/May months and September/October. 

Camping is only for the summer. See note above about “shoulder-season”. Summer gets the spotlight, but it's just one season of many. Spring and fall bring mild weather and stunning color, while winter opens the door to quiet trails, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. With the right gear and a little planning, camping season never really has to end.

Camping is too much work. It can be as elaborate or as easy as you want. Some campers love mapping out every detail of a site; others just want to pull in, set up, and relax. Others want to just bring their clothes and some food and call it. All types of camping count and there is no wrong way to do this! 

You'll be stuck eating canned food and hot dogs. Camp food is really a reflection of what you put into it — the trip you plan is the trip you get. Want simple? A cooler of hot dogs and s'mores fixings is still a classic for a reason. Want something more? Foil-packet fajitas, egg muffins, overnight oats, even a Dutch oven dessert are all within reach with a little meal prep before you head out. Chop your veggies at home, marinate your protein in a bag, pack pre-portioned containers — and at camp, all that's left to do is heat and eat. Fresh Off The Grid has a great collection of make-ahead camping recipes to browse for inspiration, whatever kind of trip you're after.

These myths keep a lot of people from ever pitching a tent, but camping has always been more welcoming than it looks from the outside. All it really takes is the right mindset, a little preparation, and a place to start.

That's where Camp New York comes in. From the Adirondacks to Central New York to campgrounds just beyond the city, there's a spot out there with your name on it — start planning with Camp New York today.