By Chris Cosci

Every once in a while, some people like to take a break from the fast-paced world we live in. They like to step away from the addictive lure of modern technology, such as the television, the microwave, and the mattress. And what better way to do that than by going camping?

Camping is considered by many a way of getting back to nature, or as some people call it, "roughing it." It's a chance to experience living without all of the electric appliances we have become so used to. You have to learn to improvise and to use the instincts that nature provided you. It also helps to have a degree in rocket science so that you can figure out how to put your tent up.

When you think of the traditional days of camping, you probably picture those small, green, triangular tents with the flaps in front. But remember, we live in a modern world with advanced technology. Today's tents are complex units with flexible poles and spikes, and they look like canvas replicas of the Biodome. And for extra complexity, these tents come with multiple layers, which can be zippered shut when you go to sleep at night. It may take you half an hour to get out of your tent the next morning, but it's worth it. After all, you don't want nature disturbing you while you're camping.

Sleeping in a tent is only part of the camping experience, though. There's also the prospect of cooking over an open fire. Less traditional campers like to bring along a little hibachi grill or a portable stove to cook their food. But purists will insist on gathering wood to create a campfire. The best place to gather wood is at a camping supply store, where they sell it in bags in the same aisle as the propane lighters.

Once you have sufficient fuel for your fire, it's time to light it. But most campers are under the impression that wood will simply catch fire when you light it. This is not quite accurate. Despite its reputation for flammability, wooden logs tend to have a strong resistance to fire.

First, you have to surround the logs with twigs, paper, and other pieces of kindling. Then, you light the kindling, and the kindling erupts in a joyous dance of flame. The flames lick at the main logs and immerse the logs in their heat. Eventually, the kindling is reduced to ashes and the flames disappear, leaving the logs in the center slightly blackened, but not on fire.

This process continues for anywhere up to five hours, until one of the logs finally caves in and catches fire. Soon the other logs join in and you're ready to experience the joy of cooking - camping style.

It's interesting how fast one adapts new eating habits when camping in the woods. In our normal life, if we were to drop a piece of food on the ground, we would discard it as garbage. But when camping, we actually pick up sticks off the ground and stick our food onto them for roasting.

And your camping cuisine is not exactly chicken marsala with roasted red potatoes and a garden salad on the side. A camping diet is more concentrated on baked beans and hot dogs. But, as in the non-camping world, it's all about the dessert. Marshmallows are a staple of camping, whether they're simply toasted over the flames or included as part of the all-time greatest camping invention: smores.

Overall, camping is a fascinating experience. Falling asleep to the sounds of rustling animals. Hiking around in a fresh coat of bug repellent. Thinking about how good that Big Mac is going to taste on your drive back home. Seriously, camping can be a lot of fun. It's good to be outside, enjoying the fresh air. I would definitely recommend it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a computer game to finish.