What to Bring and Buy for a Climbing Camp

A climbing camp needs more than ropes and harnesses. Plan for safe climbing sessions, overnight stays, meals, changing weather and clear storage for shared equipment. This checklist covers the practical supplies, from helmets, carabiners and chalk to sleeping bags, headlamps, cups and folding tables. Confirm quantities against your final participant list, and buy or collect food and chilled items close enough to the start that they can be stored safely.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 32
Party tentsqty 2
Storage binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Climbing helmetsqty 28
Climbing harnessesqty 28
Climbing ropesqty 10
Fall protection linesqty 10
Carabinersqty 32
circuit breakersqty 12
Climbing bagsqty 12
Climbing chalkqty 12
Crash padsqty 6
Conesqty 20
Game ballsqty 6
Skipping ropesqty 12
Climbing matsqty 8
Equipment tarpsqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 4
Whistlesqty 6

Camping

Sleeping tentsqty 8
Sleeping matsqty 28
Sleeping bagsqty 28
Headlampsqty 28
Flashlightsqty 6
Tent pegsqty 40
Shoe cubbiesqty 28

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Pansqty 4
Gas burnersqty 4
Jerry cansqty 6

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 4
Power banksqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Safety vestsqty 8
Pocket whistlesqty 6

Decorations

Camp flagsqty 6
Name stickersqty 40
Waterproof markersqty 12

Office

Participant foldersqty 28
Printer paper
Pensqty 30
Clipboardsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Muesli - 3 kilos
- Oatmeal - 2 kilos
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Pasta - 5 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Vegetarian minced pieces - 3 kilos
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Honey - 2 jars
- Tap water - 60 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- Scent remover sprays - 4 pieces
- Bandages - 4 boxes

Tips

Count one helmet, harness and suitable climbing setup per participant, plus a small reserve if the venue does not provide spares. Check every item for completeness when the equipment is collected, not when the first group is ready to climb.
Pack one sleeping bag, sleeping mat and headlamp per overnight participant. Test the headlamps and flashlights before departure and keep spare batteries with the camping supplies.
Use separate storage bins for climbing gear, camping items and food. This prevents chalk, ropes and carabiners from being mixed with meals and makes the final equipment check faster.
Plan reusable cups, plates and cutlery for every participant and staff member, with at least one extra set per person for a second meal or loss. Keep them together so they can be washed and counted between meals.
Bring barrier tape, cones, whistles and climbing mats before participants arrive. These items are easy to overlook because they are not part of the climbing kit, but they help mark areas and organise activities safely.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment does a climbing camp need?: Plan for one helmet, harness and climbing setup per participant, unless the venue supplies them. The core list includes climbing ropes, fall protection lines, carabiners, chalk, climbing bags, crash pads and climbing mats, plus cones, whistles and barrier tape for the activity area.
How many sleeping bags and mats do I need for climbing camp?: Buy or pack one sleeping bag and one sleeping mat for each person staying overnight. Add at least one spare of each for every 10 participants, or confirm that the venue provides backup bedding.
How much tableware is needed for a climbing camp?: Allow one reusable cup, plate and set of cutlery per participant and staff member for each meal service. Keep one extra set per person available if washing facilities are limited or the camp includes more than one meal period.
When should I buy food for a climbing camp?: Buy shelf-stable food several days before camp, then collect chilled meals and ingredients on the day before or the morning of departure. Store chilled food immediately and check dietary requirements before placing the final order.

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