10 insights from Vegan Camp Out 2025
Lessons + reminders that stayed with me
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Since first going last year, Vegan Camp Out has firmly cemented itself as a highlight in my calendar. This summer, the event moved to a new venue and stretched across an extra day, which made the weekend feel less rushed—more space to relax, explore, and really soak it all in.
I had an amazing time with friends—from surviving a leaking tent, sudden downpours, and even a thunderstorm, to sharing quiet mornings of yin yoga under the trees and full days of talks and workshops. I treated myself to a VCO beanie and a HeartCure t-shirt and indulged in a mountain of delicious vegan food: poke bowls, hogless roast, pasta, BLTs, almond croissants, churros… this is the weekend I give myself permission to fully indulge!
Most of all, I loved geeking out in the education tent and main stage arena. Highlights included Jack Hancock’s screening of The Dying Trade, Tash Peterson’s powerful video message, and Paul Bashir’s uncompromising talk on activism. I also came away inspired by Patrick Baboumian, Alexis Gauthier, Dale Vince, Kip Anderson, and activists like David Ramms and Clif Grant—all bringing fresh energy and ideas to the conversation.
For me, veganism isn’t just a lifestyle choice—it’s a core part of my intentional living philosophy. Choosing to live without harming other beings aligns my actions with my values, and attending events like this is a way to reconnect, learn, and reflect.
Here are 10 key lessons and reminders that stayed with me. They’re not all brand-new, but each brought clarity, motivation, and perspective. I wanted to capture them while it’s still fresh in my mind—so apologies if it feels a bit like a brain dump—but maybe they’ll strike a chord with you as well.
1. Veganism is about animal rights
I think it’s important to start here, because people often overcomplicate veganism. At its core, it’s incredibly simple. Veganism is not a diet, and it’s not primarily about health or the environment (though those can be positive side-effects). Veganism is a matter of justice.
As far back as 1951, Leslie Cross defined veganism as the principle that humans should live without exploiting animals. That’s it. It’s about recognising that animals are not here to serve us, and that our responsibility is to live in a way that honours their right to exist free from harm. It’s an abolitionist movement, not a reductionist or welfarist one.
Even as vegans, we can sometimes get caught up in making the message more complicated than it needs to be—rattling off facts, arguing statistics, debating nuances. But when you strip it back, if you are against exploitation and abuse, then veganism is simply the consistent application of that belief.
Substitute veganism for any other form of injustice—racism, sexism, slavery—and the conversation becomes straightforward.
2. It is not a loving or compassionate act
Building on the idea that veganism is fundamentally about justice, it’s worth challenging a common misconception: that it’s primarily an expression of love or compassion.
I’ve been guilty of framing it this way before, but the truth is, you don’t have to be an animal lover to understand that animals deserve basic, fundamental rights: the right to life and freedom.
I can speak to this personally. I wouldn’t describe myself as especially nurturing, and empathy hasn’t always come naturally to me. It’s something I’ve had to consciously develop over time. In fact, I wouldn’t even call myself the world’s biggest animal lover—certainly not compared to some people I know (who, ironically, still consume animal products).
And yet, I understand clearly the difference between right and wrong. Veganism doesn’t demand love or affection for animals. It demands the recognition that harming and exploiting them is unjust.
3. There are powerful forces at play
David Ramms brought up the concept of “psy-ops”—psychological operations designed to shape people’s beliefs and behaviour. In the context of veganism, this is highly relevant: powerful industries use these tactics to influence how we view animals, deciding which are deserving of empathy and which are not, and shaping what we consider normal or acceptable.
In many ways, the meat and dairy industries employ the same strategies that once marketed tobacco as “healthy”—promoting false narratives, appealing to authority, and normalising harmful behaviour. It took decades for the public to accept the truth about tobacco, and similar tactics continue to shape how we consume animal products today.
A core part of intentional living is uncovering the limiting beliefs that shape your own life so you can break free. But living intentionally also requires recognising the cultural forces around us. Many “truths” we grow up with—milk for strong bones, meat as the only source of protein—are myths designed to keep us consuming. Understanding these forces allows us to act deliberately, rather than unconsciously following the scripts written by powerful industries.
4. We all have individual accountability
One theme that came up numerous times was the question of responsibility: where does it really lie—with the consumer, or with big industry?
It’s a tricky debate. On one hand, industries aggressively promote their products and deliberately hide the realities of factory farming. They bear enormous responsibility for the harm they perpetuate. On the other hand, as consumers, we are not powerless. Animals are being exploited in our name, driven by supply and demand.
I tend to come down on the side of individual responsibility. It’s uncomfortable, and it can feel overwhelming at times, but the truth is we hold more power than we often realise. Every purchase we make—or refuse to make—is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.
“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
—Anna Lappé
By choosing to align our spending with our values, we can take meaningful action every day.
5. The most loving thing you can give someone is the truth
One of the strongest messages I took away from Vegan Camp Out was this: the most loving thing you can give someone is the truth. When you speak honestly, people can sense it—because there’s something deeply familiar about it.
Of course, it’s tempting to soften things when speaking to non-vegans, to sugarcoat or avoid difficult truths so they don’t feel uncomfortable. I catch myself wanting to do this all the time. But the truth is where the power lies. Diluting the message might feel easier in the moment, but it doesn’t do justice to the animals whose lives depend on us.
And it’s actually patronising to assume people “can’t handle it.” Most can. What’s more, this may be the only conversation they ever have with someone addressing the issue in all its seriousness—and that is powerful.
People may disagree, get defensive, or even turn away, but that doesn’t make the truth any less true. Approaching conversations with honesty, rooted in education and compassion yet without compromise, is the most loving and generous act we can offer.
6. Some people are reachable, others aren’t
A fresh lesson for me this year was recognising that, while everyone is capable of change, not everyone is going to be reachable—and that’s to be expected. What matters is knowing where to focus your energy, and not wasting it on those who aren’t open.
There are many people who are curious and receptive to conversations about veganism, but there are just as many—if not more—who aren’t. You don’t have to treat everyone as equally deserving of your time. For meaningful dialogue, people need to engage with an open heart; otherwise, conversations can spiral into endless excuses and circular arguments, which can take a real toll on you mentally and emotionally.
This hits home when I think about family. Neither mine nor my partner’s families are vegan, and despite providing education and patiently addressing objections, change doesn’t always happen. It’s reassuring to know that many activists face the same challenge—even prominent vegans like Earthling Ed and Gary Yourofsky often have families who aren’t vegan.
Perhaps I’ve always understood this subconsciously. That’s why I focus my energy where curiosity and openness already exist—here, through my blog and writing. If you’re reading this, you’re the kind of person who is already doing the work of self-discovery, on an intentional path, reflecting on your choices, and trying to make better decisions. For me, that’s where there’s a real chance to make an impact.
7. It is important to be an active vegan
Some might argue that being vegan is enough—that personal choice should be respected and that others should decide for themselves. While it’s true we can’t force anyone to change, I believe it’s crucial to speak out against injustice.
Most “personal choices,” like smoking or drinking excessively, primarily affect the individual. But when a choice harms another being, it’s no longer just personal—there’s a victim.
Animals cannot speak for themselves. They cannot make themselves understood in our language. They scream, they cry, they suffer—yet their voices are far too often ignored. That’s why, as vegans, we have a responsibility to advocate on their behalf. Most of the time, you won’t see the immediate impact of your actions, and often you’ll never know the full reach of your words.
Even when the effect isn’t visible, planting those seeds matters. I’ve had people get in touch months or even years later to say something I wrote changed their perspective, but whether or not you ever hear back, your efforts are still part of a bigger shift. Speaking out may not yield immediate results, but it plants seeds—small actions that, over time, can grow into a forest of change.
It was also refreshing to hear that activism doesn’t have to mean street protests or confrontational tactics. It can take countless forms, depending on your skills and passions: a chef creating incredible plant-based dishes, an event organiser bringing people together, or a writer sharing stories and education. The important thing is to use your skills where they’re most effective and to stay engaged.
8. Always put yourself in the victim’s shoes
Whether you’re vegan or not, this is an essential perspective, and it’s what every conversation about veganism should come back to. One way I try to check myself is by imagining speaking on behalf of the animals themselves. If I were in their position, would I accept responses like “I’ll try,” “I’ll cut down,” or “I’ll think about it” as enough? This perspective keeps the conversation grounded in accountability and urgency.
For non-vegans, the exercise is equally powerful. Ask yourself: would you trade places with the animal? If you were the one being exploited and killed at a fraction of your natural lifespan, what would you want from the person causing harm? Would you want them to stop funding the industry immediately—or later? Who experiences the greater inconvenience: the human in the supermarket making a different choice, or the animal in the slaughterhouse?
Feeling guilt in these moments isn’t a flaw—it’s a signal that something is morally wrong. Guilt is a powerful emotion, and it’s often what drives people to stop doing harm and start making real change. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also necessary: it reminds us that our choices matter, and that empathy without action is not enough.
9. It is only a matter of time
It’s easy to feel despair sometimes. Change can feel unbearably slow, and progress often looks like two steps forward, one step back. You read about celebrities abandoning veganism or plant-based restaurants reverting to serving meat, and it’s tempting to think the movement is losing ground.
But one of the most powerful reminders I took away is that it’s only a matter of time. No injustice can last forever when truth is on its side. Every age in history has had its blind spots—things widely accepted as normal that were eventually questioned and overturned. And the time we live in is no different.
As the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer famously said:
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed; second, it is violently opposed; and third, it is accepted as self-evident.”
Research by Erica Chenoweth adds another perspective: social movements can succeed when roughly 3.5% of the population is actively engaged. In other words, history shows that meaningful change never required universal approval; it only needed a committed tipping point.
One day, looking back from a fully vegan world, today’s early efforts will be recognised as the foundation. I even saw a sweatshirt at Camp Out (sadly not in my size) that summed it up perfectly: “Be on the right side of history.” That’s the choice we get to make today—to contribute to the shift and stand with truth and justice as it unfolds.
10. Veganism is a gift
Being vegan is one of the greatest honours and opportunities in life. Kip Anderson reminded me of this when he shared the words of the late Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: being vegan is the greatest happiness.
For Kip, this perspective was a profound shift—a reframe that allowed him to see veganism not as restriction, but as an incredible opportunity. It resonates deeply with me. I rarely think about what I’ve “given up” by choosing veganism. Instead, I feel proud and grateful every day to live in alignment with values I care about.
The pleasures of taste or convenience are fleeting; they can never compare to the joy and fulfillment of living according to your principles and avoiding unnecessary harm.
A Note for Non-Vegans
I realise this piece might feel a little “meta” if you’re not vegan yourself—more a reflection on my own learning than a practical guide. But if you are curious and open to challenging your beliefs, the best place to start is simply by educating yourself. Don’t just take my word for it; do your own research. To save you time, here are some powerful starting points:
Gary Yourofsky’s speech (often described as the “best vegan speech ever”) captures the urgency and key principles of veganism in a clear and powerful way.
Documentaries like Earthlings or Dominion can be graphic and uncomfortable to watch—but that’s the point. They invite reflection on how we relate to other beings and challenge us to think about the choices we make every day. If you’d like more recommendations, I’ve shared a fuller list of impactful documentaries in this post.
Books can also be transformative, offering both practical guidance and deeper ethical arguments. I’ve put together some of my favourite reads here.
Living intentionally isn’t always about doing what feels comfortable—it’s about being willing to explore your assumptions, notice where they come from, and take responsibility once you know better.
Education is the first step. From there, every choice you make matters. And those choices, added together, are what will shape the world we leave behind. If you ever have questions or need support, I’m here to help in any way I can on your vegan journey.