Canoe camp shopping list

A canoe camp needs more than canoes and paddles. You need enough safety equipment for every participant, waterproof storage for maps and personal gear, and a practical cooking setup at camp. This list also covers the tables, seating and reusable tableware needed for meals. Check quantities against your participant list, canoe groups and supervisors before shopping, and leave time to replace damaged or missing equipment.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Two-person canoesqty 12
Spare canoe
Canoe paddlesqty 26
Life jacketsqty 30
Waterproof barrelsqty 12
Dry bagsqty 30
Throw linesqty 4
Paddle oarsqty 12
Water shoesqty 24
Waterproof route mapsqty 6
Whistlesqty 8
Marker buoysqty 8
Ball for Water Gameqty 2

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Benchesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 6
Folding table for registration
Party tentqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 35
Reusable bowlsqty 35
Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Gas burnerqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Large cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef and serving knivesqty 6
Tongs and spatulasqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 3

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Headlampsqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6

Organization

Attendance listsqty 4
Waterproof foldersqty 4
Pensqty 12
Name stickersqty 40
Directional signsqty 8
Marking tapeqty 2

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole grain bread rolls - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Chocolate spread - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Rice - 3 kilos
- Red lentils - 1 kilo
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1.5 kilos
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Count one life jacket, whistle and suitable paddle for every participant, then add equipment for supervisors and keep the spare canoe available for emergencies. Check sizes and condition before departure.
Pack route maps, phones, consent forms and other items that must stay dry in waterproof barrels or dry bags. Use separate containers for food, cooking fuel and personal gear so one wet bag does not affect the whole camp.
Plan cooking capacity around the number of people eating at once. Large cooking pots, serving spoons, cutting boards, knives, a gas burner and enough gas cylinders should be checked together rather than bought separately.
Bring enough reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for the largest meal service, plus serving jugs and spoons. Add a washing plan and allow extra tableware if there will be seconds or delayed groups.
Buy food and drinks only after collecting dietary requirements and confirming the programme. Keep coolers for perishable items, and check the weather forecast before deciding whether the party tent and extra seating are needed.

Frequently asked questions

How many life jackets do I need for a canoe camp?: Plan one correctly fitting life jacket for every person on the water, including supervisors. Check the size range before the trip and do not rely on sharing jackets between canoe groups.
How many canoes should I book for a canoe camp?: For two-person canoes, divide the participant total by two and round up. Add the spare canoe separately, so a group of 15 needs 8 active canoes plus 1 spare.
What cooking equipment do I need for a canoe camping trip?: At minimum, plan a gas burner, gas cylinders, large cooking pots, coolers, cutting boards, chef and serving knives, serving spoons and serving jugs. Check fuel and cooking capacity at least 3 to 5 days before departure.
How early should I buy food for canoe camp?: Buy dry goods and drinks 2 to 3 days before camp, after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed. Buy chilled food as close to departure as practical and keep it in coolers until cooking.

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