Camp shopping list: what to buy and bring

A camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. Plan the sleeping setup, cooking equipment, reusable tableware, lighting and shared furniture before shopping, then check what the campsite already provides. Pack spare batteries, fuel, ropes and ground protection early: these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace once you arrive. This list is built for a group camp with shared meals, afternoon drinks and supervised activities.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Folding chairsqty 30
Picnic benchesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 5
Party tent

Camping

Camping tentsqty 10
Sleeping matsqty 30
Sleeping bagsqty 30
Cushionsqty 30
Ground tarpsqty 10
Herringqty 60
Guy ropesqty 20

Lighting

Lanternsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 10
Batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Gas stoveqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef and serving knivesqty 8
Pansqty 4
Cooking potsqty 3
Pliersqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 35
Reusable bowlsqty 35
Reusable cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 3
Tug of war rope
Game cardsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Pocket knifeqty 2
Fire blanket

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 10
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2
Bucketsqty 3

Waste

Waste binsqty 4
Waste sorting binsqty 3

Other

Extension cordsqty 2
Table labelsqty 6
Waterproof markersqty 6
Tapeqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 45 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Marshmallows - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Lighters - 4 pieces
- Charcoal - 15 kilogram
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Sandwich bags - 2 boxes
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles

Tips

Count one sleeping mat and one sleeping bag per person, then bring spare ground tarps and cushions for damp or uneven ground. Check every tent, guy rope and peg before loading the cars.
Plan cooking capacity around the number of people eating at once. Bring enough pans, pots, cutting boards, knives, serving spoons and measuring cups to prepare and serve the meal without reusing dirty equipment.
Use reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for the full group, plus a small buffer of 10 percent. Pack coolers before the food so chilled items can be kept cold during transport and serving.
Give each participant access to a flashlight and keep lanterns for shared areas. Pack fresh batteries and test the lights before departure; darkness makes registration, toilet routes and tent setup slower.
Do not leave fuel and power equipment until the last day. Check the gas stove and gas cylinders, and verify whether extension cords are permitted at the campsite before packing them.

Frequently asked questions

How many tents do I need for a camp?: Plan enough camping tents for every participant, based on the sleeping capacity of each tent. Add one spare sleeping place for roughly every 10 people if your group can accommodate it, especially when weather or late changes are possible.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets should I buy for camp?: Bring one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per person, plus about 10 percent extra. For 30 campers, that means 33 of each item so breakage, loss or late arrivals do not disrupt meals.
How much lighting do I need for a camp?: Pack one flashlight per participant and at least two lanterns for shared areas such as the dining and registration spaces. Bring a fresh set of batteries for every light, plus one spare set per 10 lights.
When should I shop for a camp?: Buy or collect non-perishable supplies, lighting, cooking gear and tableware at least 3 days before departure. Purchase chilled food as late as practical, then load coolers and fuel after checking the weather and transport plan.

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