What to buy and bring for an intro camp

An intro camp needs more than food and tents. You also need enough reusable tableware, lighting, power supplies and activity equipment for the full group, plus a way to keep drinks cold. Use the quantities in your plan as the starting point, then match them to the number of participants and overnight stays. Order or borrow shared equipment early, especially tents, tables, chairs, speakers and a volleyball net.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Picnic benchesqty 6
Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Rechargeable lampsqty 8
Power banksqty 4

Sports equipment

Tentsqty 12
Sleeping matsqty 45
Sleeping bagsqty 45
Flashlightsqty 45
Footballsqty 4
Volleyball net
Volleyballsqty 3
Tug of war rope
Conesqty 30
Hoopsqty 10
Blindfoldsqty 12
Water balloonsqty 200
Game cardsqty 4
Whiteboardsqty 3
Markersqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Pouring jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Frying pansqty 2
Cooking potsqty 4
Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Name badgesqty 60
Paper tapeqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Bread - 18 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Butter - 6 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Jam - 6 jars
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Potatoes - 15 kilogram
- Rice - 8 kilograms
- Pasta - 8 kilograms
- Tomato sauce - 12 jars
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Corn - 10 cans
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Oil - 3 bottles
- Vinegar - 2 bottles
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Ice lollies - 60 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour; chill them in coolers before participants arrive.
Count one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per participant, plus 10% extra. The spare set covers losses, late arrivals and anything that needs washing.
For overnight stays, check one tent space, sleeping mat and sleeping bag per person before shopping. Add at least two spare flashlights and charge all power banks the day before.
Group sports equipment by activity before packing it: balls, cones, hoops, blindfolds, game cards and markers are easy to miss when they are spread across different boxes.
Test portable speakers, the microphone and rechargeable lamps before departure. Bring extension cords, power strips and charged power banks; finding missing cables on setup day is too late.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for an intro camp?: Plan food and drinks, reusable cups, plates and cutlery, plus camping gear such as tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and flashlights. You will also need activity equipment, coolers, lighting and power supplies. Match every quantity to the final participant list and the number of nights.
How many cups and plates do I need for an intro camp?: Start with one cup, one plate and one cutlery set per participant, then add 10% spare. For 40 participants, that means 44 of each item. If washing facilities are limited, plan a second set per person or arrange washing between meals.
When should I arrange tents and camping equipment?: Confirm tent capacity, sleeping mats and sleeping bags at least two weeks before camp. Check the equipment again three to five days before departure, because missing or damaged items are difficult to replace at the last minute.
How much lighting and power equipment should I bring?: Bring at least one flashlight per two participants, two or more rechargeable lamps for shared areas, and one power bank per small group or activity team. Test speakers, microphones, extension cords and power strips at least one day before setup.

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