We think there’s no better way to reconnect with Mother Nature than a nice camping excursion. Take advantage of the nice summer weather and hit your favorite trails and camp grounds for some R&R and fresh air. But before you do, we’ve rounded up a couple of our must-have camping gear to make your outing that much more enjoyable.

1. Big Agnes Lost Ranger Long sleeping bag: On chilly nights, this super-light mummy sleeping bag protects you against drafts while keeping you as snug as a bug.

2. Black Diamond Vista double-wall tent: This durable three-person tent stays put even in high winds.

3. Kelty Luma Camp Lantern: This weather-resistant battery-powered lantern is a versatile must-have for all your camping trips.

4. Kelty Lowdown folding chair: Not just for tailgating, this durable and comfy chair is great for kicking back in the great outdoors.

5.   Gregory Baltoro 65 backpack: A comfy and spacious hiking pack with tons of storage space and a water-resistant bottom.

6. Adventure Medical Kits First Aid 2.0: It’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit handy for unexpected scrapes, pains and allergic reactions. This one is perfectly portable for camping and hiking.

7. Big Agnes Clearview Air Pad: This adds extra cushioning inside your tent for a great night’s sleep.

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.

If it’s time to take a break from the mountaineering and cold weather hikes this season, you might find yourself exploring a desert oasis or heading off on a tropical rainforest adventure. The lure of the forbidden forests continues to attract thousands of intrepid outdoor enthusiasts each year, but you need to follow some key principles of survival to get through the jungle successfully.

Those exotic birds and animals look plenty friendly at first sight, but steering clear of the wildlife and plants will help you make it to the end of the trek. If you’re heading right into typhoon season, you’ll need to protect yourself from nature and build a sustainable shelter to make it through those tough days ahead.

Here are a few survival essentials to take on the wilderness adventure into the tropical rain forest:

Reliable Hydration Pack

You won’t have access to your favorite bottled water during the trip, and you’ll need plenty of crisp, cool and refreshing water every step of the way. Load up your backpack with a hydration pack , a low-profile and lightweight pack that gives you access to clean and fresh water when you need it. It can hold up to 2 liters of water, and is one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated in a tropical climate.

Protective Tent

Increase your chance of survival with a sturdy tent . Hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones and heavy downpours can put your trekking schedule on hold and require you to pitch a tent to stay safe from the storm. Pick up a windproof and waterproof tent that will shield you from the elements and protect you from rainforest bugs and insects after the sun goes down.

First Aid Kit

Poisonous plants and bug bites can leave you in need of some emergency first aid, so make sure to take along a first aid kit packed with essentials. At the very least, you’ll need a disinfectant, splinter picker, antihistamine and painkillers to manage any minor accidents. Making sure the kit is filled with bandages and dressing tools is another priority. You can’t prevent cuts and scrapes along that jungle hike, and having a kit with all the essentials for wound care will help you stay on course.

If outdoor adventures are calling your name this season, a mountain climbing trip could be your excuse to escape the office and embrace nature at its best. Pack the right survival gear for your excursion and you’ll make the most of climbing, hiking and exploring that mountain territory.

Whether you’re a beginner or expert climber, mountain climbing can be a great upper and lower body workout that will challenge you to the max. Set your sights on a rock climbing trip in Chattanooga, or head to the snowy mountains in Colorado; there are hundreds of unique destinations scattered throughout the U.S, and there’s nothing like a challenging physical workout to get you in tip-top shape for the season – all while taking in the mountain-fresh air. Just make sure to pack for the trip with essential survival gear, and you’ll set foot on a safe and memorable adventure.

A medical kit is an absolute must-have for any outdoor adventure, and you can prepare for a mountain climbing trip with all of the essentials, wrapped up tight in these portable kits. From bandages to an emergency stash of painkillers, you’ll be well prepared for any first aid emergency.

Headlamps will get you through those coves and climbs at dusk, so make sure you stock up on at least a couple of these for your all-day adventure. Headlamps with adjustable straps offer the ultimate in comfort and will help you navigate your path – especially when there isn’t one paved out for you.

Nothing wraps up a day of climbing better than a hearty meal. Make sure you’re prepared for your dinner in the great outdoors with a foldable stove . These lightweight, fully-functional stoves make cooking and warming up food a cinch! And, when it’s time to turn down for the night, make sure you’re safe and sound in a tent designed for adverse weather.

Mountain climbing without the right tent can put you at risk for an animal attack, a sleepless night in a cold-weather climate or make it hard to keep your supplies and gear well protected from the elements. Pitch a tent designed for adverse weather conditions, and make sure you follow all instructions to set it up just right.