What to buy for a camping season opening

A camping season opening needs more than food and drinks. You will also need enough tableware, cooling capacity, serving equipment and weather cover for the time guests spend outdoors. Plan drinks for the first hour separately, then add supplies for the meal, coffee and snacks. Check dietary requirements before placing orders, and buy or hire equipment early if several groups are opening their season on the same weekend.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Beer tablesqty 6
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 4
Check-in desk
Waste binsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Party tentsqty 3
Parasolsqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Soup bowlsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 70
Mugsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 80

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Beer pitchersqty 4

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power stripsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Generator
Portable chargersqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Camping flagsqty 6
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Lanternsqty 12
Name badgesqty 80

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12
Batteriesqty 24
Outdoor lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Washing-up basinsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Assorted Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 12 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Flat mineral water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White beer - 24 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Beef burgers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hot dogs - 60 pieces
- Chicken satay - 5 kilos
- Vegan vegetable skewers - 20 pieces
- Gouda cheese - 3 kilos
- Cheddar slices - 80 slices
- Feta - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Hamburger sauce - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Tomato salsa - 2 kilo
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Fried onions - 3 bags
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- BBQ trays - 100 pieces
- Wooden satay skewers - 100 pieces
- Firelighters - 3 boxes
- Charcoal - 30 kilos

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each following hour. Include water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl and one full cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Extra pieces cover breakage, dropped cutlery and guests who return for seconds.
Use enough cooler space to chill drinks before guests arrive. Start chilling at least 12 hours ahead, and keep a separate cooler for food so it is not opened every few minutes at the bar.
For a buffet and barbecue, provide at least two serving spoons or tongs per hot or cold dish. Buy or bring enough platters, cutting boards and knives so preparation does not depend on the guest table.
Prepare a coffee station for the final part of the day, not just the arrival period. Allow one coffee cup or mug per guest, and have thermos flasks ready so coffee service continues while the buffet is being cleared.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a camping season opening?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for every additional hour. For food, provide a main meal, snacks and something sweet, then add about 10% extra for seconds and unexpected guests.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a camping opening?: Buy or bring one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, water glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each frequently used item.
When should I chill drinks for the camping season opening?: Put drinks in the coolers at least 12 hours before guests arrive. Test the coolers and cooling materials the day before, and keep reserve ice or other cooling capacity available for the afternoon.
How early should I order tents, tables and barbecue equipment?: Confirm availability at least two weeks before the opening, especially for party tents, beer tables, barbecues and coffee machines. Recheck reservations and the weather forecast 48 hours before setup so you can adjust quantities or cover.

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