Cabin Building Week Checklist

A cabin building week needs more than timber and tools. Set the date and location first, then work through registrations, dietary details, parent contacts, deliveries and site safety before participants arrive. This checklist also covers the jobs that are easy to leave too late: sorting lumber, charging cordless drills, checking power and water, marking construction zones, and setting up shelter, lighting and work areas. Use it to keep the preparation in order from first invitation to the first day on site.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set date and location
2 people
Open participant registration
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Check parent contacts
2 people
Reserve wood delivery
2 people
Reserve waste containers
Check power outlets
2 people
Check the water supply
2 people
Print safety plan
Print participant lists
Create team assignments
3 people
Order groceries
2 people
Receive wood and materials
4 people
Sort lumber by length
4 people
Check tools
3 people
Mark out the site
4 people
Set up wood storage
4 people
Set up workbenches
4 people
Set up party tents
6 people
Set up tables and chairs
5 people
Mark off construction zones
4 people
Hang lighting
3 people
Pick up first groceries
3 people
Set up the kitchen corner
3 people
Put up the information board
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Prepare first aid supplies
2 people

Event

Opening and safety briefing
4 people
Register participants
3 people
Guide teams to construction zones
5 people
Distribute wood and tools
6 people
Provide construction supervision
8 people
Interim safety check
3 people
Serve drinks and fruit
4 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve dinner
6 people
Clean up the work area
6 people
Collect tools
4 people
Support the evening program
6 people
Close off the grounds
3 people
Day start with safety briefing
4 people
Register attendance
2 people
Supervise construction work
8 people
Restock lumber
4 people
Serve snacks and fruit
4 people
Hand out lunch packs
4 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Check the structures
4 people
Clean tools
3 people
Leave work zones clean
6 people
Close off the grounds
3 people
Day start with safety briefing
4 people
Register attendance
2 people
Supervise construction work
8 people
Distribute roofing materials
4 people
Serve snacks and fruit
4 people
Serve the hot meal
6 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Check construction safety
4 people
Sort waste
3 people
Close off the grounds
3 people
Open the final build day
4 people
Supervise construction work
8 people
Hand out cabin decorations
3 people
Prepare the Jury Route
3 people
Serve snacks and drinks
4 people
Check cabins for safety
5 people
Guide the jury around
3 people
Support awards ceremony
4 people
Serve farewell meal
6 people
Collect tools
4 people
Ensure participants leave safely
5 people
Photograph the huts
2 people
Dismantle huts
10 people
Sort Usable Wood
6 people
Remove nails and screws
6 people
Take waste to the bins
5 people
Do a rough clean of the site
8 people
Take down tents and tables
6 people
Remove lighting
3 people
Inventory tools
3 people
Do the final trash round
4 people

Aftercare

Clean the kitchen area
4 people
Clean tableware and supplies
4 people
Clean the grounds thoroughly
8 people
Store remaining wood
4 people
Have waste containers emptied
Return borrowed items
3 people
Return tools
3 people
Carry out site inspection
2 people
Collect securing materials
2 people
Clear away leftover groceries
2 people

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Workbenchesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 8
Waste binsqty 12
Wooden palletsqty 30

Equipment

Cordless drill driversqty 8
Battery chargersqty 8
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 8
Work lightsqty 6
Coolersqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Megaphone
Speakersqty 2

Tools

Hammerqty 30
Hand sawqty 12
Spirit levelqty 10
Measuring tapeqty 12
Pliersqty 16
Screwdriversqty 20
Wrenchesqty 8
Cable cuttersqty 2
Scissorsqty 20

Construction materials

Scaffold planksqty 220
Fire beamsqty 160
Thin slatsqty 300
Wooden panelsqty 80
Palletsqty 40
Rope rollsqty 20
Tarpaulinsqty 30
Nailsqty 20
Wood screwsqty 12
Metal Corner Bracketsqty 100
Cable tiesqty 500
Sandpaperqty 100

Safety

Safety helmetsqty 80
Safety gogglesqty 80
Work glovesqty 100
Hearing protectionqty 40
Safety vestsqty 20
First aid kitsqty 4
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 20
Caution tapeqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Mugsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 8
Cooler cratesqty 6
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8
Food containersqty 20

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Colorantsqty 12
Brushesqty 30
Paint rollersqty 12
Paint traysqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 6
Prize trophiesqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 12

Cleaning

Broomqty 8
Dustpan and brushqty 8
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 10
Spongesqty 20
Tea towelsqty 30

Registration

Name stickersqty 150
Wristbandsqty 150
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 30
Markersqty 30
Printer paperqty 500

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Reserve the wood delivery and waste containers early enough that both arrive before construction starts. You need space to unload and sort lumber by length without blocking work areas or access routes.
Check every power outlet and the water supply before the week begins. Charge the cordless drill batteries, then test extension cords, power strips and work lights on site rather than discovering a problem during the first build session.
Print the safety plan and participant lists before arrival, then make team assignments while registrations are still current. Include dietary requirements and parent contacts in the information passed to the responsible organisers.
Mark out the site before setting up furniture. Separate construction zones from storage, walking routes and participant areas, and keep the wood storage on pallets so materials stay accessible and off the ground.
Set up party tents, workbenches, tables, chairs and lighting before the first groceries are picked up. A covered eating area and a clearly lit work area prevent food, tools and participants from competing for the same space.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a cabin building week?: Start registrations and invitations several weeks before the event, then confirm numbers before ordering groceries and assigning teams. Reserve wood delivery and waste containers early enough to have them on site before setup day.
How much wood do I need for a cabin building week?: There is no reliable single amount without the cabin design, dimensions and number of participants. Finalise the build plan first, then order the required scaffold planks, beams, slats, panels and pallets with enough time for delivery and sorting.
When should I set up the cabin building site?: Complete the main setup before participants arrive: mark the site, install storage and workbenches, check utilities, mark construction zones and hang lighting. Pick up the first groceries after the site and covered eating area are ready.
What safety checks are needed before cabin building starts?: Print the safety plan, check tools and power equipment, inspect work lights and cables, and keep construction zones clearly marked. Confirm participant lists, team assignments and parent contacts before the first work session.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.