For city dwellers accustomed to living with iPods, cell phones, and steady wi-fi (not to mention indoor plumbing), a weekend spent camping — or even more extreme, hiking and camping — can send well-adapted urbanites into temporary panic as they recall well-buried memories of a family outing gone terribly wrong when a certain someone mistook an anthill for a sandbox.

Say that trepid city kid is you, and your friends are planning the trip this season. Anticipating feeling grossly inadequate while camping with your more woodsy comrades? Here are 10 items to keep you from ruining the good times while maintaining your status as tops among the early adopters.

	Camelbak water bottle ($12) Like the popular hydration backpacks, this bottle has a bite valve that flips up and is connected to an internal straw. The screw-on top, which will fit most wide-mouthed bottles, has a loophole tough enough for a carabineer — perfect for clipping to a belt or backpack. Marrying fashion and function, the shatterproof Lexan bottle comes in the rainbow of colors that have become standard for these ubiquitous sport bottles.
	Steripen water filter ($149) Using UV light and four AA batteries, this filter works quickly to remove harmful viruses and bacteria from clear running water. It’s small enough to fit into an individual water bottle, but it can process a camping party’s supply of water in a relatively short time. If you’re using water that’s not from a clear-running stream (e.g., the typical gook-filled stuff you find in New England), go for the company’s pre-filter ($9.95), which weeds out debris and fits over a standard wide-mouth bottle.
	Arc’teryx RT Backpack ($130–$160) Spend enough time outside and you’re going to get rained on, especially this summer. This pack could (literally) be your lifesaver. Like traditional bags used for trips on the water, this roll-top backpack keeps your clothes completely dry. It’s also light and comfortable to carry — handy for the novice hiker and whoever has to shoulder his or her pack when the greenhorn starts to cry.
	Buzz-Off Bug-Repellant clothing ($12–$84) Although “de-bugged” shirts, shorts, pants, hats, and bandannas won’t turn you into a fashion plate, blood-thirsty bugs won’t even know you're there, which could be a fair tradeoff when there’s not a runway in sight. The bug repellant contained the fabric will reportedly withstand up to 25 washings — just don’t take it to that dry cleaners in the middle of nowhere.
	Repel Lemon-Eucalyptus Insect Repellant ($5) Even when wearing bug-resistant clothes, it’s smart to double up for optimal insect avoidance. This deet-free spray works for up to six hours, and is sure to cause an olfactory fit around the campfire. The smell deters the bugs, though, so complaining companions should step off — especially when you tell them that lemon eucalyptus is on the list of approved repellents for pests carrying the West Nile virus.
	Garmin Rino GPS with a two-way radio ($200–$500) It’s always a good idea to pack a map and compass as a back-up, but a global-positioning system (GPS) is an efficient, foolproof way to get from one point to another — plus, it'll ease the pain of gadget withdrawal. Using information from up to 24 satellites (formerly developed and used solely by the Department of Defense), these devices mark your current location and use mapping software to tell you where to go. The radio comes in handy for both coordinating with other groups and resolving emergency situations. If the recipient of your message has a similar Garmin device, you can even beam him or her your exact location.
	Wrist Altimeter ($100–$600) Who knew a mere wristwatch could cut down on so many unexpected surprises? The watch’s altitude readings can help with navigation, while the temperature and barometric pressure readings can assist you in formulating a daily plan. Plus, most watches come with a compass and altitude alarm. Some altimeters, like the Polar AXN 500, even measure heart rate, so paranoids can take their vitals while breaching the tree line.
	Crazy Creek Crib Lex ($125) Let them make “little buddy” jokes about this single-person hammock tent; they’re just jealous they don’t have one. Like a true hammock, this portable bed attaches to two trees and swings freely above the ground. It fits a sleeping pad and zips completely closed. Plus, it comes with mosquito netting and a rain tarp. Skipper and Gilligan didn’t have it this good.
	Orikaso Fold-Flat tableware ($5–$27) The origami of the camping kitchen, these folding plates, cups, and bowls take up less room than a military-issue MRE (meal ready to eat) does. Their construction makes them leak-free, and the cheerful assortment of colors is a far cry from the industrial tin cup that’s been a staple for so many camping die-hards.
	Ex Officio underwear ($18) For those who like to pack light, these briefs, available for men and women, are made mostly of nylon, meaning they’ll dry within a few hours. They’re perfect for a long trip, or for those who want to prove that they can make it through the wilderness on one pair of underwear. Fortunately for everyone else, they’re also odor-resistant.

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