True or False: Are You Ready for Your Next Camping Trip?

Modular kits keep small items pre-packed, and the boxes are easier to fit into your car or truck.

There are lots of uses for tarps while camping, from covering the ground under your tent to blocking heavy rain. Bring a few.

Without a list, packing for your trip will be a chaotic mess. Making a list is step one.

You can get by with minimal changes of clothes on your camping trip -- but bring plenty of clean socks.

A few outfits will last a long time when you can wash them every couple of days.

Some tents can be tricky to set up. Make sure you learn how to do it in your back yard, before your trip.

Leveling your trailer, connecting your electric, water and sewer lines, and making sure your refrigerator and A/C are running properly can be pretty complicated. Make sure you know how it all works before you leave home.

Tents may have water resistant properties, but they will leak along the seams. Apply some seam sealer to your tent before your first trip.

Tomato soup won’t eliminate the smell. Bring a quart (946 ml) of hydrogen peroxide, which you can mix with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of baking soda if your dog gets sprayed. The resulting solution chemically breaks down the oils in the skunk's musk. Just keep it out of your pet's eyes!

Make sure you haven't run out of items like bandages, and check to see if medicines have expired.

A sturdy plastic container will keep out critters and moisture, letting you store your gear in a secure place.

Outfitters offer gear like lightweight sleeping bags, cooking utensils and clothing that can trim some pounds from your camping load. Whether you're carrying it all in a backpack or in a trailer, shedding weight from your gear is a big deal.

Group related items together, like pillows, blankets and the air mattress.

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and other wealthy industrialists of the early 20th century made camping popular via the media coverage of their annual trips.

Everyone has different things they like to bring camping, and different items they can live without. Make your list your own to make sure your camping trip suits your goals and interests.

Experienced campers acquire new gear and gadgets over the years and end up carrying around too much stuff without realizing it. It's a good idea to evaluate your camping gear every year or so.

The only person who can decide what is and isn't necessary is you. If an air mattress helps you have a more enjoyable trip, bring one along. But be willing to compromise on other items, based on how much space you have to carry your gear.

Ropes are useful as clotheslines, to help secure a tent on a windy day, to hang tarps, tie out dogs, and to practice knot tying.

Many states and state and national parks have regulations banning the transport of firewood across county or state lines. Transporting wood helps spread pests that devastate tree populations, like the emerald ash borer. Acquire your firewood at or near the campground.

Of course it should -- the whole point of camping is to have fun! Your entertainment section might list books, sports gear, your fishing pole or a tablet computer that you can use to watch movies.