If you've never owned one before, I'd start with a point and shoot. Something like a Kodak Easyshare. They're easy to use and you can get one with a high resolution (8-10 megapixel) for a decent price. Here's a few Best Buy carries.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....p=15&iht=n
You want something with at least a 3x OPTICAL zoom. Digital zoom means absolutely nothing.