Q:

We’re hoping to fit in an end-of-summer outdoor adventure with the kids. It’ll be their first time camping and my first time in a while. Any electrified conveniences we should consider bringing along?

A:

That sounds like an excellent final hurrah to close out the season. Electrifying your trip can add to convenience, safety and more, and obviously, there’s tons of information out there with camping checklists and “essential gear.” There are many directions you can go depending on the type of camping you’ll be doing, how long you’ll be in the wilderness, what comforts you’d like, etc. There’s no one size that fits all!

Lighting

Lanterns and headlamps are generally your most popular lighting options, and advances in LED technology and batteries have made them brighter, longer-lasting and more affordable than ever. You should be able to find a model that meets your desires, including some high-performance ones. You can also seek out solar-powered and rechargeable variants.

Coolers

There are many factors to evaluate with coolers — portability, price, length of storage, additional features and applications (a cooler as a seat, anyone?), energy efficiency and the like. You’ll have your pick.

Along with the traditional hard vs. soft distinction, there are also powered/electric coolers. These require an electricity source and tend to be more expensive, but they can be valuable for longer trips, especially if you won’t have access to ice.

Kitchen

Your kitchen setup can take numerous forms based on your camping situation, how close a support vehicle may be, and food needs. Camping stoves, portable grills (gas, charcoal or electric), induction cooktops — all may be suitable for tasty meals to share.

Batteries and Solar

Battery innovation is happening on a variety of fronts, from the home tools market to the larger battery storage and electric vehicle industries.

Take stock of the devices, gadgets and electronics that you’ll want to power or charge while away from an outlet. A portable power bank might do the trick, but if you’ll be gone for an extended period or have lots to power, a larger battery energy storage system avoids the noise, exhaust, mess and maintenance associated with a typical gas generator.

As alluded to earlier, solar-powered gadgets also come in many shapes and sizes. And portable solar panels are another way you can keep things running in a quiet, sustainable manner— they can even be used to charge batteries and battery systems.

If you’re hesitant to splurge on an item that you worry you’ll use only a few times, consider if there may be other activities (like tailgating) or opportunities (4-H, Y Guides, summer camp, an unexpected power outage) where it could come in handy. While some technologies may seem like luxuries at first, you might find additional uses for them to benefit convenience, safety and overall quality of life.

Happy camping!