How to organize a survival camp

A survival camp needs more planning than a normal overnight trip because activities, meals, shelter, and safety all depend on one another. Start by confirming the campsite, date, route, and participant details, then build the schedule around daylight, travel time, and supervision. Prepare teams and activity materials before arrival, and keep food, first aid, and emergency contacts easy to reach. The final site inspection should happen before participants begin any challenge.

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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
Confirm date and location
2
Prepare the program and schedule
2 people
3
Develop safety plan
2 people
4
Invite participants
5
Process registrations
6
Collect dietary requirements
7
Collect emergency contacts
8
Reserve campsite
9
Share route and parking information
10
Check the weather forecast
11
Finalize participant list
12
Assign teams and supervisors
2 people
13
Prepare instruction cards
2 people
14
Check supplies
2 people
15
Do the shopping
2 people
16
Store fresh food refrigerated
2 people
17
Wash fruits and vegetables
2 people
18
Prepare vegetables and bread
2 people
19
Label meals by diet
2 people
20
Pack materials by activity
3 people
21
Check the first aid kit
22
Print emergency numbers

Event

23
Inspect the site
3 people
24
Set up tents and tarp
4 people
25
Set up tables and benches
3 people
26
Set up activity stations
4 people
27
Set up the food and drink point
3 people
28
Set up the fire pit safely
2 people
29
Set up the reception desk
2 people
30
Check in participants
3 people
31
Give the safety briefing
2 people
32
Announce the teams
2 people
33
Supervise the orienteering tour
6 people
34
Supervise shelter construction
6 people
35
Demonstrate water filter
2 people
36
Serve drinks and fruit
3 people
37
Prepare meal
4 people
38
Serve the meal
4 people
39
Refill drinks
2 people
40
Facilitate the campfire
3 people
41
Hand out marshmallows
2 people
42
Supervise the evening game
4 people
43
Conduct final safety check
2 people
44
Check out participants
2 people

Aftercare

45
Fully extinguish the fire
2 people
46
Collect waste
3 people
47
Wash dishes
3 people
48
Clean the grounds
4 people
49
Take down tents and tarp
4 people
50
Clean and dry the equipment
3 people
51
Return materials
2 people
52
Return borrowed items
2 people
53
Process leftover food
2 people
54
Inform participants about lost and found items

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding benchesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 10
Reception desk

Camping

Lightweight tentsqty 8
Waterproof tarpsqty 6
Sleeping bagsqty 10
Ground tarpsqty 8
Herringqty 60
Guy ropesqty 20
Ropesqty 12

Sports equipment

Compassesqty 10
Waterproof field foldersqty 10
Barrier tapeqty 4
Assignment cardsqty 10
Safe survival knivesqty 6
Work glovesqty 12
Buckets for the water challengeqty 6
Water filtersqty 3
Measuring tapesqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Portable gas burnersqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Headlampsqty 10
Spare batteriesqty 24

Kitchen

Cooking potsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 4
Pliersqty 3
Jerry cansqty 6

Tableware

Reusable mugsqty 40
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Fire blanketsqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 8
Whistlesqty 8

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Build the program around daylight and recovery time. Leave at least 30 minutes between demanding activities for water, team changes, and instructions, and avoid scheduling navigation or water challenges after dark.
Assign teams and supervisors before the final participant list is closed. Give each supervisor a waterproof folder with the route, assignment cards, emergency numbers, and the names of participants with dietary or medical requirements.
Check shelter and cooking equipment at least 48 hours before departure. Test tents, tarps, guy ropes, lanterns, headlamps, gas burners, and water filters rather than discovering missing or damaged parts at the campsite.
Prepare food in a fixed order on the day before departure. Wash produce, prepare vegetables and bread, label meals by diet, and keep fresh food refrigerated until it is packed into coolers.
Make the safety plan operational, not just written down. Inspect the site before setup, mark restricted areas with barrier tape, check the first aid kit, and print emergency numbers so they remain available if phones lose power or signal.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a survival camp?: Start at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead so you can reserve the campsite, confirm the date, collect registrations, and arrange supervisors. Complete the participant list, dietary requirements, and emergency contacts at least 7 days before departure.
How many supervisors do I need for a survival camp?: Set the ratio according to the campsite and activities, but plan for at least 1 supervisor per team and keep one additional person available for first aid or logistics. Finalize these assignments before the last week so every activity has clear coverage.
What should I check before leaving for survival camp?: Check the weather forecast, route, parking details, participant list, first aid kit, food labels, and every activity box. Do the full equipment check at least 48 hours before departure and recharge power banks the night before.
How early should we arrive at the campsite?: Allow at least 2 hours before participants start the first activity. Use that time to inspect the site, set up tents and tarps, secure ropes and herring, arrange tables and benches, and prepare the reception point.

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.