import java.util.ArrayList; public class items { private ArrayList crashSiteItems; private ArrayList beachItems; private ArrayList caveItems; private ArrayList cliffFaceItems; private ArrayList forestItems; private ArrayList itemsGot; public void roomItems() { String[] crashSiteItemArray = {"itam1","itam2","itam3","itam4"}; // this goes into ... crashSiteItems = new ArrayList(Arrays.asList(crahSiteItemArray)); // << here and creates a list ! beachItems = new ArrayList(Arrays.asList(oyster,shell,coconut,crab)); caveItems = new ArrayList(Arrays.asList(flint)); cliffFaceItems = new ArrayList(Arrays.asList(sharp-rock)); forestItems = new ArrayList(Arrays.asList(dead-wood,branch,vines)); } }