Here in the northeast United States, spring is finally heating up and summer is fast approaching. So, if your garden is tended and your barbeque is broken in, it’s time for camping season. But these days, you need more than just a tent, a couple of sleeping bags and some bug spray. Here, then, are the top five gadgets and apps you need for an outstanding high-tech camping experience:

1. The Fast Find Personal Locator Beacon: If you are heading out onto unmarked trails or you’re a novice camper who is concerned about not knowing where you are going or how to get back, you need the Fast Find Personal Locator Beacon. It is a palm-sized, rugged GPS tracker that can send out a distress signal if you get lost. It transmits a unique ID to a global satellite network and can pinpoint your location without subscription fees or call centers.
2. The Eton Scorpion: Once you have found the ideal spot, what’s to stop you from getting bored? At this point, you need some rockin’ tunes, so try the Eton Scorpion. It’s a solar or crank-powered combination AM/FM radio and flashlight. Its rugged design is perfect for outdoor use, you can also use it to listen into weather frequencies and it has a handy USB charger. So give it a crank and crank up some tunes!
3. The Brunton Restore: If you’re like me, you plan on taking a LOT of gadgets with you on your overnight excursion. After all, I need my apps! Use the Brunton Restore solar charger to power your iPhone, iPod, iPad or even devices that don’t start with “i.” It is water-resistant and durable, and has two solar panels to soak up all that energy to power your devices. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors!
4. The SAS Survival Guide App: Once you are out there with your solar-powered gadgets, you might be wondering how to survive in the wild! Well, there’s an app for that. It’s the SAS Survival Guide, created by a soldier and survival instructor from the British armed forces. It covers all conditions, from the desert to the arctic, and includes videos, photos, plant guide, quizzes, checklists, Morse code, a compass, first aid information and more!
5. Woodall’s RV and Camping Copilot: Now that you have all of the gear and survival skills you need, where can you go? Check with Woodall’s RV and Camping Copilot. This app has information on over 12,000 campgrounds and RV parks across North America, including discounts and ratings. With it, you are bound to find the best spot for yourself, your friends or your family!

It’s time for me to gather up my camp stove, Swiss army knife, bear repellant – and my Kindle Fire – and hit the woods. Happy camping season to you and yours!