If you haven't been shopping for camping gear in a while, let me just tell you things have changed. It could be argued that some of this is for the best, but in some cases, products on the shelves seem a little outrageous. Pre-packaged, sharpened marshmallow sticks are sold -- case in point.

I'll admit I've never tried store-bought marshmallow roasting sticks, so perhaps I should reserve judgment. Just the same, are we at a point in society where we need to buy sticks whose sole purpose is to hold a sticky, sugary confection above a fire for a few seconds?

Perhaps pre-made marshmallow sticks save campsites to a degree by reducing the wood scavenging that leaves so many campsites looking unnaturally open and bare, but still, I have a hard time with this one. Can't campers bring a bug free stick (watch out for invasive beetles, etc.) that they took two minutes to craft into a marshmallow skewer?

Stepping off my soapbox, the topic of camping gear is nonetheless a ripe area for discussion. The 4th of July is the kickoff to the high season for camping, and in today's hyper-marketed world, there is a lot of gear facing new campers or those in need of new supplies. Some of that gear may be great. Some is not. Additionally, some camping equipment is very well suited to one use or purpose but not another.

One of the first general points of discussion is where to buy gear. I'm not a die-hard believer in one store or one brand, nor am I (I hope) a label snob (there's a reason some folks jokingly refer to the brand "Patagonia" as "Pata-Gucci" -- it's a company that makes good outdoor clothing, but some can take it a little far). An essential question is how hard you use gear and how much you will rely on it. Large, general merchandise chain stores sell fine camping equipment if you're spending a night in your backyard or at a close to civilization car-camping park, but I wouldn't generally buy a sleeping bag for a two week wilderness canoe trip at the same place I buy frozen waffles, motor oil, shampoo and Barbie dolls.

As with knowing how demanding your use of gear will be, it is important to think about what type of experience you're going for. If "camping" means relying on skills that hearken back to more primitive technological era, you probably don't need the portable 12-volt microwave I saw advertised on a prominent company's website (under "camping essentials"). If, however, your goal is to hang out with friends or family and shoot the bull, maybe that microwave will make great nachos (though I still have a hard time with the words "microwave" and "camping" being used in the same sentence).

Car camping, as opposed to backpacking or canoe camping, has fewer restrictions on what you can haul to the campsite. Therefore, there are an awful lot of items you could buy. A few of the more (by my standards) "out there" possibilities include blenders, ice cream making kits, and a $300 portable icemaker. I guess I can see the appeal of cold drinks and food, but again, we're talking camping here.

A great deal of camping innovations seem to reflect the love affair between people and technology. RVs have had televisions for some time now, but more and more, electronics are making their way into the outdoors. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are very useful tools for finding your way in the outdoors and are used by the "softest" frontcountry campers and remote backcountry trekkers alike. If you're new to this technology, it is worth at least looking into, though it should never replace map and compass skills.

Other technology, though, is likely less about assisting your outdoor experience and more about the technology. Portable televisions and DVD players, laptops, iPods with full video capability, hand-held video games, cell phones, and newer, smaller radios are all marketed as portable devices capable of going anywhere, even into tents and along trails. Just this past month I spotted a young hiker on a trail who was playing music not via headphones, but through surprisingly loud little speakers, apparently atop his pack. I said nothing, even though I found the act pretty obnoxious. If you're buying gear for a campout, you might want to consider the pros and cons of electronics before buying equipment and/or packing for your trip.

It's a little pretentious of someone to preach about what is and is not needed on a camping trip. The desired experience is essentially matter of personal choice, with hopefully some consideration if others camp nearby. Of course, some campgrounds, parks, or preserves have specific rules on equipment, but much is up to the individual.

So, with all of this choice regarding what to bring, my suggestion is to really think about the values you are looking for and what you hope to make for memories. If a generator, microwave, TV, laptop, and hair dryer are part of the experience, well, all right then. Keep in mind, however, if you seek to escape from modern life and reconnect with past traditions and rhythms, you might consider leaving the DVD collection at home. There's plenty to do while camping -- like making your own marshmallow roasting stick!

Rex Turner lives in Augusta and works in the conservation field. He can be reached at rexpturner@gmail.com