What to Bring and Buy for an Autumn Camp

An autumn camp needs more than tents and food. You will also need reliable lighting, cooking equipment, serving tableware and a way to keep drinks and water ready throughout the day. Plan quantities from your confirmed participant list, then check dietary requirements before shopping. This list is especially useful when the weather is changeable: pack ground protection, tarpaulins and spare batteries before the group arrives, not after the first shower or dark evening.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding benchesqty 8
Chairsqty 12
Welcome desk

Camping

Party tentsqty 2
Camping tentsqty 6
Ground tarpsqty 6
Herringqty 48
Guy ropesqty 12
Tarpaulinsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Large cooking potsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Water jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving bowlsqty 8

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Light Stripsqty 3
Flashlightsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 24

Sports equipment

Conesqty 20
Ropesqty 8
Compassqty 8
Whistlesqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 10

Decorations

Autumn leaves
Craft tableclothsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Buckets of fire waterqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Spongesqty 8
Tea towelsqty 12
Towelsqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken breast - 6 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn - 8 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 10 cans
- Coconut milk - 6 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Penne - 5 kilogram
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Tomato sauce - 6 jars
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Hand gel - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Bring extra water in jugs, especially if the campsite has no nearby tap.
Allow one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per participant, plus 10% spare. This covers dropped items, second servings and last-minute additions without washing up immediately.
For a shared camp meal, prepare at least one large cooking pot per main dish and keep cutting boards and chef’s knives separate from serving equipment. Buy vegetables and bread close to the event so they stay fresh.
Pack one working flashlight per two participants, plus spare batteries and backup LED lamps. Test every flashlight before leaving; cold, wet evenings make a failed light difficult to replace.
Do not leave shelter and ground protection until the day before. Check that you have enough tent pegs, guy ropes, ground tarps and tarpaulins for every tent and cooking area, then inspect them before transport.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for an autumn camp?: Use the final participant count and plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one per person per hour. For food, allow one full serving per participant plus roughly 10% extra for larger appetites and second servings.
How many camping tents do I need for an autumn camp?: Provide sleeping space for every participant and adult supervisor, using the tent capacity stated by the manufacturer. Add at least one spare sleeping place if the group size or attendance is still uncertain one week before departure.
How many flashlights and spare batteries should I bring?: Bring one flashlight for every two participants, with at least one backup flashlight for the organisers. Pack two spare battery sets per flashlight and test all lights no later than the day before the camp.
When should I buy supplies for an autumn camp?: Buy non-perishable food, gas, tableware and camping supplies at least three to five days beforehand. Buy fresh vegetables and bread one day before, chill drinks several hours before arrival and check the forecast again on the morning of departure.

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