What to Bring for a Camping Weekend

A camping weekend needs more than tents and sleeping bags. Plan food and drinks for every meal, plus cooking equipment, reusable tableware, coolers and shelter for shared activities. Check dietary requirements before shopping and keep chilled products cold during transport and storage. This list also covers the items groups often forget, such as gas cylinders, water jugs, extension cords, waste bins and tarps for wet ground.

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What to bring

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

Camping gear

Tents for 4 peopleqty 8
Air mattressesqty 32
Sleeping bagsqty 32
Sleeping matsqty 32
Cushionsqty 32
Ground tarpsqty 8
Herringqty 80
Hammerqty 4

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Beer benchesqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee mugsqty 35

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Large cooking potsqty 4
Frying pansqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Large mixing bowlsqty 4
Water jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 6

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 6
Battery lampsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 10
Spare batteriesqty 24

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Frisbeesqty 4
Badminton setsqty 3
Ropesqty 4
Game cardsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 3
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Bread rolls - 36 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Croissants - 36 pieces
- Butter - 6 tubs
- Margarine - 4 tubs
- Mild matured cheese - 3 kilogram
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 4 packs
- Eggs - 90 pieces
- Bacon lardons - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian bacon strips - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Pasta - 4 kilograms
- Pasta or tomato sauce - 12 jars
- Chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian chicken pieces - 2 kilogram
- Hamburgers - 36 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 48 pieces
- Hot dog sausages - 36 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 36 pieces
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Corn - 8 cans
- Peas - 6 cans
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Muesli - 3 kilogram
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Marshmallows - 3 kilograms
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Plant-based milk - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 60 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Cooking oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 boxes
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Cleaning cloths - 12 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Ziplock bags - 2 boxes
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Charcoal - 3 bags
- Firewood - 4 nets
- Firelighters - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan at least three meals per person, plus two snacks per day. Add extra bread, fruit and drinks for late arrivals and participants who eat more than expected.
Bring one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per person, plus at least 10% extra. The spare set covers lost, dirty or damaged tableware during the weekend.
Check gas cylinders before departure and pack enough fuel for every hot meal, coffee break and backup cooking session. A burner without a full cylinder is difficult to replace at the campsite.
Use one cooler for food and another for drinks if possible. Chill products before loading, keep the lids closed and label dietary-specific food so it is not used accidentally.
Pack ground tarps, herring and a hammer with the tents, not in a separate luggage pile. Set-up is delayed quickly when pegs, poles or protection from wet ground are missing.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a camping weekend?: Plan three meals and two snacks per person for each full day. For a two-night weekend, that usually means five to six meal moments per participant, depending on the arrival and departure times.
How many tents do I need for a camping group?: Use the capacity of the tents rather than guessing from the group size. For example, a tent for four people covers four sleepers; add a spare sleeping place or extra tent if equipment, privacy or late changes require it.
How many cups and plates should I bring per person?: Bring one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per person, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 participants, pack at least 33 of each item so one missing or dirty set does not stop a meal.
How early should I buy food for a camping weekend?: Buy shelf-stable food, drinks and disposable backup supplies two to three days ahead. Buy chilled products on the day before departure, then load them into coolers immediately before transport.

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