WAITER-U's return to basics: Why I was drawn to camping videos
Hello everyone, this is Tsukui from WAITER-U. In our first broadcast, I talked about how I got hooked on camping videos on YouTube and how I started camping by brewing coffee using camping gear in the mountains of Okutama.
This time, I'd like to go back to the very beginning and talk about why I started watching camping videos in the first place.
When people watch YouTube after work, they usually look for videos in their favorite genres, right? Anime, movies—it varies from person to person. So why did I choose camping videos? Even though I had almost no camping experience before that.
After much thought about "why?", I finally arrived at my favorite book from elementary school, "The Adventure Encyclopedia."
"The Adventure Encyclopedia" was first published in 1985, and the copy I have is the 51st printing from 2019. It's a bestseller that has been revised 51 times in 40 years. Published by Fukuinkan Shoten, this book is part of a series of "encyclopedias" on various themes, providing detailed explanations of all kinds of things, from daily life to independent research projects.
Among them, the picture books with the theme of "adventure" were the ones that captivated me the most.
The term "adventure" encompasses many different things, but the target audience of this book perfectly aligns with my current activities.
"What is adventure? It's taking risks, trying something with uncertain success. We don't know what's going to happen, but let's be brave and give it a try."
Starting with that definition, this book teaches various adventure-related knowledge through the story of a group of elementary and middle school students in the city who plan a camping trip in the mountains.
The story is divided into six elements: hiking in the mountains, eating in nature, sleeping, playing with friends, encountering plants and animals, and dealing with danger, each of which is explained in detail.
What particularly impressed me was the illustration of a backpack on page 57. It's a page that explains, with illustrations, the essentials needed to spend a night in the mountains. Even as an elementary school student, I felt an indescribable fascination with this illustration.
It's packed with exciting information, even today, such as flashlights that use single batteries and packing tips.
Even now, at 33 years old, the excitement I felt during my elementary school days comes back to me vividly.
Childhood experiences can become the driving force behind pursuing hobbies in adulthood. Why not reflect on some memorable encounters you've had?
The lessons I learned from "The Adventure Encyclopedia" have greatly influenced my current camping style. The joy of spending time in nature, the importance of cooperation with friends, and above all, the courage to venture into the unknown.
Without this book, I might not be who I am today. Why not pick up a book you were engrossed in as a child again? You might discover something new.
