Summer is winding down quicker than you may realize. Many children have already gone back to school and soon the dog days of summer will be coming to an end. Why not take advantage of these last few warm weekends? This weekend, get the family together and create a campground in the backyard.

Obviously, this family night activity requires a bit of planning. You'll need to grab some camping foods, such as hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting. You'll also need a tent and sleeping bags. If you don't have any, chances are your friends have some you can borrow for the weekend. Last, but not least, you'll need a bundle of wood to create a roaring fire and don't forget a cooler for the drinks and food.

Next, you'll need to think of some activities. Scary stories around the campfire are always a fun idea. Each person can make up their own story and tell their story before bedtime. Another activity that is fun for little kids is to take a hike around the backyard. Take time to look at things like you've never looked at them before. For example, look at the different plants and wildlife. You could even take pictures. A fun idea for older kids is to create a bit of competition through sports or even a campfire cook-off.

There are several advantages to camping out in your own backyard. First of all, there's easy access to clean bathrooms, which is always a plus. Second, you don't have to spend a dime on gas to get to your destination. Last, but not least, if your city doesn't allow fires in the city limits, you can cook everything on a grill. This truly is a family night activity that brings the family together, but doesn't require a lot of money. It's a great way to say goodbye to summer. Don't worry though because there will of course be many more family night activities for the cool months of fall.

With television, video games and other forms of technology around every corner, it's easy for families to get caught up in their own worlds. Even parents and children sitting in the same room can be separated by iPhones, iPods, text messages, laptops and computer games. If technology has taken hold of your life, consider tuning out for a weekend and getting back to nature.

Before you start packing the things you will need, start with the things that you won't need. Leave the portable DVD player, cell phones, iPods, PSP and Nintendo DS. If you own a portable GPS, you may want to consider bringing it along for geo caching or for the car ride. But the technology stops there -- leave the laptops at home.

Locate a campground with toilets and showers, and you'll alleviate most of your teenagers' concerns. When researching the campsite, confirm if they have grills or fire pits available for cooking. Once you've found the campground and gotten the family on board, you can start planning for your family camping trip.

If you've never been camping before, you'll be pleasantly surprised with how easy the experience can be. One of the most important things is to bring a tent big enough for the family. Include sleeping bags, extra blankets and pillows, one or two changes of clothes per person, hiking boots, extra socks and food. Use backpacks, rather than suitcases, to haul your belongings.

Don't forget the food! Be sure to bring things that don't need to be refrigerated and can either be eaten cold or warmed over a fire. Include a pot and saucepan for soups or anything else you may need to heat. If you are going on a short trip, a cooler with ice might be helpful, especially for drinks.

A family camping trip is a great way to leave the technology behind and get back to basics.