What to Bring and Buy for an Autumn Camp

An autumn camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. Prepare reliable shelter, dry cooking and dining equipment, warm lighting, and enough serving gear for the whole group. The checklist covers sleeping tents, a guide tent, tarps, tables, reusable tableware, gas cooking equipment, coolers, thermos flasks, and simple games. Check quantities against your participant list, then shop early enough to store chilled food safely and replace anything missing.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Camping gear

Sleeping tentsqty 10
Guide tent
Ground tarpsqty 11
Herringqty 80
Tent hammersqty 4
Tarpaulinsqty 4

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Benchesqty 8
Chairsqty 36

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 36
Reusable bowlsqty 36
Reusable cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Large cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 12
Headlampsqty 6

Decorations

Autumn leavesqty 3
Buntingqty 4

Game materials

Ballsqty 4
Ropeqty 2
Game cardsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 3
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young matured cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Eggs - 36 pieces
- Oatmeal - 2 kilogram
- Muesli - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Plant-based yogurt - 2 liters
- Milk - 8 liters
- Plant-based milk - 4 liters
- Pasta - 4 kilograms
- Red lentils - 1 kilogram
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilograms
- Chili spice mix - 6 bags
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Firewood - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Plan one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per person, plus at least 10% extra for damage, loss or delayed washing. Add serving spoons separately so shared dishes can be served without using personal cutlery.
For an autumn cooking area, allow one large pot for each hot dish and check that you have enough gas cylinders for the full meal plan. Buy or confirm fuel at least 3 days before departure, since it is easy to overlook when shopping for food.
Provide a light source for every sleeping group and activity area: keep flashlights or headlamps available for participants and use LED string lights around the cooking and dining areas. Test all batteries and lights before loading the equipment.
Count ground tarps and tarpaulins by shelter rather than by group. Each tent needs a dry, correctly sized base or cover, and wet gear should have a separate place so the sleeping area stays usable overnight.
Keep coolers, water jugs and thermos flasks ready before the meal is prepared. Store chilled groceries in the coolers immediately after shopping and label shared materials so setup does not depend on finding items in dark boxes.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an autumn camp?: Plan for sleeping tents, a guide tent, ground tarps, tarpaulins, tent hammers and cooking equipment. You will also need tables, benches or chairs, reusable tableware, lighting, coolers, water jugs and basic game materials such as balls and rope.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets do I need for camp?: Start with 1 plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per participant, then add about 10% spare. For 30 people, that means at least 33 of each item, unless you have a washing plan between meals.
When should I do the autumn camp shopping?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check equipment at least 3 days before camp. Shop for chilled groceries as close to departure as practical, then refrigerate them immediately and transport them in coolers.
How much lighting is needed for an autumn camp?: Give each sleeping group access to at least 1 flashlight or headlamp, and place LED string lights at the cooking and dining areas. Test every light and battery before departure, ideally 1 day in advance.

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