The whole camp cooking process isn't like whipping something up in your kitchen. You are literally "playing with fire". And that can get a little intimidating especially when you aren't sure what kind of fire to use.
So getting outside and camping for the first time can be expensive if you buy all of your own gear. But that doesn't have to be the case. There are two ways to borrow outdoor essentials (tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, stove, cook/eat-wear).