There are so many great reasons for bringing tech gadgets along on a camping trip. Just your smartphone alone can be used for photography, lighting, entertainment, and of course emergency communication. But before you start bringing all your expensive gear with you, there are some important things to consider.

Below we've got a host of tips and projects that will help you bring technology on your next adventure, with a focus on some of the most brilliant DIY solutions that you can afford.

Power

First thing's first: solving the problem of power. Bringing a power source will keep your gadgets powered throughout the entire trip. If you are relying on your phone signal for emergency contact, it's an essential safety precaution.

The easiest solution is to bring a power bank if you already own one, or ask around to borrow one for your trip since they have become quite common to own. Calculate how much charge your power bank will give you, and only bring devices that you can reliably power while you're away to avoid carrying dead weight.

If you're an avid camper looking for a dedicated power source you can build yourself, then there are several options available that make use of solar, water, and heat. One incredible example of this is a small thermoelectric charger that can charge a phone using a fire source such as a campfire, gas stove, or candles. This is just one of a handful of ingenious DIY chargers you can build as part of our awesome DIY gadget projects to beat the weekend boredom.

Waterproofing

Bringing electronic devices on a trip into the wilderness will always come at a risk, but there are a few things you can do to lower the chances of damaging your gear. Phones, tablets, and cameras are all items that are worth waterproofing, even if the device is already water-resistant. You won't need to buy expensive waterproof cases either.

One of the best solutions we've found is a DIY dry bag on YouTube that is incredibly easy to make because it doesn't require any sewing. It comes together quite quickly using duct tape, cable ties, and a waterproof material like Tyvek which is used in construction. The finished product is similar to a roll-top bag that cyclists carry, but can be resized if you just want something small to fit a phone and watch inside.

If you don't have the time to make something, and you just need to throw your electronics in a bag and go, then zip-lock bags are the classic solution—just make sure to double-bag it to be extra careful. If you happen to have a vacuum sealer used for storing food then you can even seal small devices that way. Leave some air inside the pouch though, otherwise it will press down on the device's buttons.

Heat

It's entirely possible to bring along an extra source of heating when you go camping, and it's especially handy if you're not allowed to light a campfire. Building a DIY heater isn't as complicated as you might think, and it's great for if you need a custom solution that doesn't cost a fortune.

In our list of creative homemade DIY heaters that really work, there are two that stand out. The first is a 100W mini heater built with just a tin can, clay, and a few coils. The second is a penny alcohol stove which also uses an old drink can. Both projects are cheap and achievable, even without any DIY experience. Because they are made using reclaimed parts, you won't need to worry if you end up damaging the heater either. The payoff, however, is the chance to make your camping experience feel more luxurious.

Lighting

The new wave of camping videos on YouTube would suggest that you really need a full line-up of lights and lanterns to create the perfect, cozy camping experience. It's an expensive option, however, that might take a while to achieve. One alternative is to explore the world of LEDs, which gives you the option of making all sorts of homemade lights.

For a bit of fun, you can make cute origami lights with your kids, or for something a step-up you can try your hand at building a USB rechargeable flashlight. You can find these projects and much more in our list of stunning DIY LED projects. Fairy lights or a set of old Christmas lights that connect via USB are also simple options for illuminating the night. It's all about setting the atmosphere for a camping trip you won't forget.

Entertainment

Once you start thinking about what technology you can bring on a camping trip, there's no limit to how comfortable you can be out in nature. Download a few movies onto your iPad and make a quick DIY tablet stand out of cardboard, and you'll be set for a cozy night inside your tent.

There are also some creative ways to use technology outdoors, like setting up a time-lapse Twitter camera or putting together a remote bird-watching station. You can find out how to build these in our brilliant projects using a Rasberry Pi and camera.

In Case of Emergency

For seasoned hikers and intrepid adventures, a GPS system is one piece of technology that offers incredible benefits. The main uses include planning a trip, navigating, and recording your trip data—and it does all this without the use of the internet. If you've dabbled in electronics before, there are plenty of tutorials to teach you how to build your own GPS device. And even if you haven't, Spark Fun's overview on the subject is great, complete with a beginner project to try.

Another awesome project to build is an off-grid Wikipedia computer that will have everything you possibly could know in case you can't connect to the internet. If you're going to head far out of reach from civilization, and you're traveling by car, then it could be the ultimate in-case-of-emergency source of knowledge.

If all of the above sounds a bit too much, then the most important thing for a simple trip is to plan ahead well. For those relying on a phone and cell signal, make sure to pack an adequate power supply, and think about waterproof storage to protect your device from damage. And above all else, always make sure to let someone know where you are going and for how long, in case you need to be rescued.

The Ultimate Camping Experience

Now you know how to bring along your tech devices next time you go camping. With a portable power supply, you can build a fantastic base camp illuminated by LED lights and warmed by DIY heaters. Just remember to keep a waterproof solution on hand for your devices if it gets wet, and never forget to plan for an emergency. There are affordable homemade tech solutions for every situation, so don't be afraid to camp in style!