What to Buy for a Night Camp

A night camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. You also need enough bedding, lighting, cooking equipment, cups, plates, drinks and food for the whole group, plus practical items for registration and clean-up. Use the number of participants to calculate quantities, then check what can be reused or borrowed before shopping. Chill food and drinks in advance, and test lanterns, flashlights and power connections before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 30
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Waste binsqty 4
Tentsqty 8
Sleeping matsqty 24
Sleeping bagsqty 24
Cushionsqty 24

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 30
Platesqty 30
Bowlsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Cooking stovesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pansqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 6
Water jugsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Name stickersqty 35

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 12
String lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 12

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Vestsqty 24
Ropesqty 6
Conesqty 20
Game cardsqty 4
Reflective wristbandsqty 30

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Towelsqty 8
Broom and dustpanqty 2
First aid kitsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Bread rolls - 36 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Croissants - 30 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Vegetarian spread - 6 tubs
- Chocolate spread - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Bacon strips - 1 kilogram
- Vegetarian bacon strips - 500 grams
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Vegetarian meatballs - 2 kilogram
- Chicken pieces - 2 kilograms
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 2 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 3 bags
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multi-fruit juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan one tent space, sleeping mat and sleeping bag for each overnight guest, then keep at least one spare sleeping place available for a last-minute change or damaged equipment.
Allow at least 2 reusable cups, 1 plate, 1 bowl and 1 cutlery set per person so food service can continue while items are being washed or misplaced.
Provide 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for every additional hour. Chill them in coolers before the camp starts and keep water available in jugs.
Use at least 1 LED lantern or flashlight for every 4 people, plus a clearly accessible flashlight near each tent area. Count extension cords and power strips before bringing string lights or speakers.
Prepare one name sticker for every participant and bring at least 2 waste bins for a small group. Put serving platters, spoons, cutting boards and kitchen knives together so snack preparation does not depend on one missing item.

Frequently asked questions

How many tents do I need for a night camp?: Plan sleeping capacity for every overnight guest and avoid filling tents to their absolute limit. For example, 12 guests need enough tent space for 12 people, with one spare sleeping place if your budget and storage allow it.
How much food and drink should I buy for a night camp?: For drinks, plan 2–3 per person during the first hour and 1 per person for each following hour, including water. Buy snacks for the full group and add at least 10% extra if guests may arrive late or stay longer.
How many sleeping bags and sleeping mats are needed?: Bring one sleeping bag and one sleeping mat for every person sleeping overnight. Check the count at least 3 days before the camp, because borrowing or replacing missing bedding often takes longer than expected.
What lighting do I need for a night camp?: Use at least 1 LED lantern or flashlight per 4 people, with an extra flashlight for each tent area and the registration table. Test batteries and extension cords at least 1 day before setup.

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