Nobody tells you that your first meet will run eleven hours and that the concession stand will close before the 4x400. You learn it once and then you never show up unprepared again.
The non-negotiables
- A canopy that one person can put up alone. If it takes two adults, it stays in the car.
- Two folding chairs more than you think you need. Someone always needs one.
- A cooler with real food, not just snacks. Sandwiches, fruit, rice, anything that is not sugar.
- A gallon of water per athlete, plus electrolytes that your kid will actually drink.
- A blanket. Even in May. Especially in May.
The things veterans carry
Extra spikes and a spike wrench, because someone on the team will lose one in the pit. A phone battery pack, because you are the team photographer whether you signed up for it or not. And a printed heat sheet, because the meet app will go down exactly when your athlete is called.
I stopped packing for my kid and started packing for the eight kids around my kid. That is when meet day got easier.
Tell us what is in your bag. We are building this list out for the spring season and the best additions are coming from the tents, not from us.