What to buy and bring for a debate camp

A debate camp needs more than chairs and printed motions. You will need reliable timing equipment, writing materials for participants and jurors, presentation supplies, and a practical food and drinks setup. Buy or gather items early enough to check that laptops, projectors, extension leads and power strips work together. Pack food separately from debate materials, and prepare name badges, jury forms and ballot slips before participants arrive so registration does not delay the first session.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 40
Tablesqty 10
Registration desk
Judges' tableqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Platesqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 45
Coffee cupsqty 30

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Stopwatchqty 6
Bell ringerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Debate materials

Whiteboardsqty 4
Flip chartsqty 4
Flip chart sheetsqty 80
Whiteboard markersqty 24
Jury formsqty 50
Ballot slipsqty 100

Office supplies

Ballpoint pensqty 50
Notepadsqty 40
Name badgesqty 45
Tapeqty 4
Scissorsqty 4
Paper clipsqty 2

Decorations

Signage boardsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 10

Lighting

Desk lampsqty 4

Safety

First aid kit

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Honey - 1 jar
- Lemon juice - 1 bottle
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 50 pieces
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 35 pieces
- Mandarins - 3 kilo
- Natural yogurt - 4 kilos
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Pasta - 5 kilos
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Passata - 4 packs
- Vegetarian meatballs - 2 kilos
- Ground beef - 3 kilos
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1.5 kilos
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilos
- Pasta seasoning - 3 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salad dressing - 3 bottles
- Tomato ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan one writing set per participant: a ballpoint pen and notepad for each person, plus at least 10% extra for lost or empty pens. Keep spare pens at the registration desk and judges’ table.
Prepare at least one visible stopwatch and one bell ringer for each active debate room. Test the timing signal before the first round and keep a backup timing method available.
Allow one reusable cup per participant and staff member, plus 10% extra. For drinks served throughout the day, use enough thermos flasks and coolers to cover the first session before anyone needs a refill.
Print jury forms and ballot slips before camp day, with one complete set per debate and 10% spare copies. Put the forms, pens and name badges at the registration desk rather than mixing them with food supplies.
Check presentation and power equipment at least one day ahead: laptop, projector, projection screen, extension cords and power strips. Bring enough leads to reach every setup without creating walkways that participants could trip over.

Frequently asked questions

What stationery do I need for a debate camp?: Plan one ballpoint pen and one notepad per participant, then add at least 10% spare supplies. You will also need name badges, tape, jury forms and ballot slips for registration and judging.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a debate camp?: Allow one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per participant and staff member, plus 10% extra. If the camp runs for a full day, keep additional cups available for drinks served between rounds.
When should I prepare debate camp materials?: Finish printing jury forms, ballot slips, participant lists and the run sheet at least 1 day before camp. Test the laptop, projector, screen, stopwatch and power leads at the same time.
What equipment is needed in each debate room?: Each room needs tables and chairs, a judges’ table, a stopwatch and a bell ringer. If presentations are used, allow a laptop, projector, screen and tested extension cords for every room that needs them.

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