What happens when women step out of their comfort zones, pack their bags, and hit the road—often for the very first time? At a recent Girl Camper event in South Jersey, we discovered the answer: courage, connection, and a whole lot of joy.

Whether you’re new to camping or dreaming about your first solo trip, these real-life stories from Girl Campers prove that there’s no wrong way to camp like a girl.

At Spacious Skies Country Oaks Campground in South Jersey, campers of all ages and experience levels came together for a weekend of storytelling, community, and adventure. Some arrived in vintage trailers, others in fully-equipped RVs, and a few brave souls pitched tents for their very first camping experience.

Many of the women had never camped alone before. Some had never camped at all.

One surprising trend? A large number of solo campers were married. As RV Life podcast host Patti Hunt and Girl Camper founder Janine Pettit discovered, women often take these getaways as a way to reconnect with themselves, especially after decades spent raising families and managing households.

Girl Camper offers a supportive environment where women—married, single, widowed, or divorced—can challenge themselves, make new friends, and embrace the outdoors on their own terms.

From first-time tent campers to newly retired women buying their first trailers, the stories were heartfelt and empowering. Many attendees found Girl Camper through social media or after listening to the podcast for years. One camper even shared how she followed the community for two years before finally deciding to join—and never looked back.

Several campers credited the RV Life app with helping them plan their trips with confidence. With features like safe routing, campground reviews, and budgeting tools, it’s an ideal companion for women learning how to camp solo. (Use coupon code GIRLCAMPER at checkout to get 25% off)

If you’ve ever dreamed about trying solo camping, now’s the time. Girl Camper hosts meetups, women’s camping events, and offers tons of support for beginners. You don’t need fancy gear or an RV—just a willingness to try something new.

Visit girlcamper.com to find an event near you and join the fastest-growing women’s camping community in the country. Special thanks to Progressive Insurance for sponsoring this episode of the Girl Camper podcast.