How to organise a camping six-event contest

A camping six-event contest works best when the competition is planned in stages, not improvised on the day. Start by fixing the format, registration deadline and team sizes, then prepare rules and score sheets before buying or checking equipment. A few days beforehand, confirm the reservation, dietary requirements and weather. On the day, mark out six game areas, set up shelter and scoring first, and leave enough time to explain the rules before the opening event.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Send invitations
2
Process registrations
3
Collect dietary requirements
4
Assign participants
2 people
5
Develop the rules
2 people
6
Prepare score sheets
7
Confirm reservations
8
Buy prizes
9
Do the shopping
2 people
10
Check the weather forecast
11
Check game materials
2 people
12
Chill the groceries
2 people
13
Inspect the grounds
2 people
14
Set up party tents
4 people
15
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
16
Set out the game fields
4 people
17
Set up game stations
4 people
18
Set up the food and drink area
3 people
19
Test sound and music
2 people
20
Set up the score table
2 people

Event

21
Receive participants
3 people
22
Explain teams and rules
2 people
23
Guide part 1 of the six-event challenge
3 people
24
Supervise part 2 of the six-event competition
3 people
25
Refill drinks
2 people
26
Guide game 3 of the six-event contest
3 people
27
Serve break snacks
3 people
28
Guide Part 4 of the team event
3 people
29
Prepare barbecue
3 people
30
Serve barbecue
4 people
31
Guide game 5 of the six-event contest
3 people
32
Supervise part 6 of the six-event competition
3 people
33
Check final scores
2 people
34
Present prizes
2 people
35
Support the evening program
3 people
36
Serve the last round
2 people
37
See participants off
2 people

Aftercare

38
Collect waste
4 people
39
Wash dishes
3 people
40
Clean the grounds
4 people
41
Clean up game materials
3 people
42
Take down tents and furniture
4 people
43
Store leftover food
2 people
44
Clean and dry materials
3 people
45
Return borrowed items
2 people

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 48
High tablesqty 4

Sports equipment

Tug-of-war ropesqty 2
Burlap sacksqty 12
Frisbeesqty 6
Footballsqty 4
Buckets of waterqty 12
Sponge ballsqty 24
Conesqty 40
Hoopsqty 12
Relay batonsqty 8
Blindfoldsqty 12
Measuring tapesqty 2
Starter pistol
Whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Ground pegsqty 40
Barrier tapeqty 4
Cone Bagsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Gas barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef and serving tongsqty 8
Sharp knivesqty 4
Large serving bowlsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Battery speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Team flagsqty 6
Chalkboardsqty 4
Prizesqty 6
Team bibsqty 48

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set a registration deadline at least 7 days before the contest. Use the final list to assign balanced teams, record dietary requirements and prepare enough score sheets.
Write the rules for all six events before invitations go out. Specify scoring, time limits, tie-breakers and safety boundaries so teams hear the same instructions.
Inspect the grounds and check every game item at least 24 hours before arrival. Test ropes, sacks, frisbees, balls, buckets, cones, hoops and stopwatches rather than discovering missing or damaged equipment at the start.
Set up tents, tables, chairs and marked game stations in that order on the morning itself. Keep the score table visible from the activity area and use barrier tape or ground pegs to separate spectators from play.
Chill food and drinks several hours before participants arrive, then keep a refill point running throughout the contest. Reusable cups, coolers and a clear food area prevent queues from delaying the six-event schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a camping six-event contest?: Start 3 to 4 weeks ahead if you need a reservation, invitations and team assignments. Finalise registrations and dietary requirements at least 7 days before the event, then check the forecast and equipment again 24 hours beforehand.
How many people should be on each team for a six-event contest?: Aim for 5 to 8 participants per team so everyone gets involved without making stations too slow. Set the team size after registrations close, then publish the assignments at least 2 days before the contest.
What should I prepare the day before a camping six-event contest?: Confirm the reservation, inspect the grounds, check all materials, prepare score sheets and chill groceries the day before. Put rules, team lists and scoring instructions together in one folder so the opening briefing takes no more than 15 minutes.
How do I keep a six-event contest on schedule?: Give each event a fixed start and finish time, with 5 to 10 minutes between stations for movement and scoring. Assign one person to the score table and one supervisor per active area where possible, while drinks are refilled between rounds.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.