Welcome!

Camping is a fine way to build practical survival-related skills. You may find that your "camping" gets more extreme as you go.

Bad weather is a great opportunity to test gear and technique. (But have an "out" just in case.) Impromptu camping with only the stuff you always have in your car is a good test. Backpacking is excellent for paring your needs to the essentials. And later, when your skills advance, try a night with only the clothes on your back and the gear in your pockets. Overall, it's a highly educational and totally addictive hobby. Be aware that gear lists always get revised after hands-on field trips.

As for "learning at the feet of the experts," I suspect most people around here would call themselves "advancing students." That's because the more you learn, the more you become aware of how much more there is to know.

Can you tell us what objectives you have in mind?