What to Bring for an Island Camp

An island camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. You also need a reliable way to cook, store chilled food, carry enough water, and serve meals without disposable supplies. Pack equipment that works for the whole group, including lighting, washing-up gear, and shared kitchen tools. Use the participant count to calculate food, drinks, fuel, and tableware, then check everything before transport to the island.

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What to bring

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

Camping

Tentsqty 10
Ground tarpsqty 10
Herringqty 100
Tent hammersqty 4
Sleeping matsqty 45
Sleeping bagsqty 45
Cushionsqty 45
Fleece blanketsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 45
Headlampsqty 10

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding benchesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 8

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Groceries
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 50 pcs
- Chicken breast - 5 kilograms
- Veggie burgers - 20 pieces
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Oatmeal - 3 kilograms
- Muesli - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Milk - 8 liters
- Soy drink - 4 liters
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Rice - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Herb mix - 6 sachets
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Cooking oil - 2 liters
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Popcorn - 2 kilograms
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 kilograms
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Syrup - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Sandwich toppings for allergies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan yogurt - 4 liters
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Drinking straws - 100 pieces

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable cutleryqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 4
Gas cylindersqty 4
Cooking potsqty 6
Frying pansqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Vegetable peelersqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 3
Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Water jerry cansqty 8
Bottle openersqty 4

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Volleyballqty 2
Frisbeesqty 6
Tug-of-war ropesqty 2
Skipping ropesqty 8
Conesqty 20
Ball pumpqty 2

Game materials

Game cardsqty 6
Diceqty 12
Flashlight setqty 6
Rope rollsqty 6
Sidewalk chalkqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 40

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Whistlesqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 8
Waterproof phone casesqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 50
Waterproof markersqty 12

Transport

Luggage cartsqty 4
Backpacksqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Dish brushesqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Tea towelsqty 20
Towelsqty 12

Tips

Count one tent space and one sleeping mat per participant, then bring at least one spare sleeping place for damaged or wet gear. Add a ground tarp under each tent and check that every tent has enough pegs and a usable tent hammer.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Bring extra water in jerry cans for cooking, drinking, and washing hands; island access can make a last-minute refill impossible.
Keep chilled food in coolers with enough ice or frozen elements for the full journey and first meal. Separate raw ingredients from ready-to-eat food, and place coolers where they stay shaded rather than leaving them beside the cooking area.
For each gas burner, bring a compatible gas cylinder and allow extra fuel for boiling water and cooking several meals. Pack at least two cooking pots, one frying pan, cutting boards, kitchen knives, a vegetable peeler, and measuring cups for a group-sized menu.
Pack reusable cups, plates, and cutlery for every participant plus at least five spare sets. Add serving platters and serving spoons, washing-up bowls, dish soap, and drying cloths; these are often forgotten until the first meal is over.

Frequently asked questions

What camping gear do I need for an island camp?: Bring one tent space, ground tarp, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, cushion, and warm layer per person. Pack flashlights or headlamps for everyone, plus at least one spare light and spare batteries for the group.
How much water should I bring to an island campsite?: Start with at least 2 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, then add water for cooking and washing. For a group without a reliable refill point, carry extra water in jerry cans rather than relying on the campsite.
How many reusable plates and cups are needed for camp?: Bring one reusable plate, cup, and cutlery set per person, plus five to ten spare sets for loss, damage, or late arrivals. Add shared serving platters and spoons according to the number of meals.
How early should I buy food and camping supplies?: Buy non-perishable food, fuel, tableware, and camping supplies at least 3 to 5 days before departure. Buy chilled products as late as possible, ideally on the day before transport, and keep them cool until loading.

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