Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. Have you made your ‘get ready’ list? Your grocery list?

If you’ve never created a ‘get ready’ list AND you’ve ended up at the lake with no charcoal, or matches, or grill….. then you should know, you need one!

Take a simple sheet of paper and then think chronologically. Think of each thing you’ll do this weekend at the lake, from fishing, to cooking, to entertainment and start the list. It doesn’t have to be pretty – it’s your first draft.

For instance, you might think that the first thing you’ll do when you get there is put up the tent. So the tent needs to be first on your list. Then think about all the things that go with or into the tent and add those to your list. Sleeping bags, pillow, inflatable mattress, air pump, lantern….

Then think about your fishing. Do you have? Your license? Your tackle? Your poles and an extra one just in case? Bobbers? Bait? Put them all down on that list.

Think about the heat. Do you have sunscreen on your list? Drinks? Ice? Baby wipes or paper towels for messes? A hat? A jacket in case it’s cold and windy or an unexpected storm blows in?

What about meals. Think about each one separately. Sure you ‘expect’ to be frying fish so you’ll need a frying pan, matches, charcoal, spatula. But what if your catching skills are slow?

You might need hot dogs, and buns and mustard and relish…. That’s one meal, now keep on going…..

Think about desserts or snack foods too. Did you pack the ingredients for s’mores? Put it on the list, graham crackers, Hershey bars, large marshmallows.

Got a good knife to make the marshmallow holders? Or do you have some already made? Put it on the list.

Kids can eat too many s’mores and get a tummy ache. Better add some Pepto and some Coca-cola to the list….

Like the Scout’s motto, Be Prepared, well you just can’t be ‘too’ prepared!

Make a list so you’ll be ready, for anything.