What to Buy and Pack for an Outdoor Camp

An outdoor camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. This shopping list covers the equipment, food-service items, cooking supplies, lighting and activity gear you need to prepare the site and keep participants comfortable. Plan drinking water and coolers early, because they are easy to underestimate and difficult to replace once you arrive. Check every tent, stove, flashlight and power bank before loading transport, and pack route maps in waterproof sleeves if activities depend on them.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Camping tentsqty 8
Sleeping matsqty 30
Sleeping bagsqty 30
Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 12
Picnic blanketqty 4
Ground tarpsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Gas stoveqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4
Flashlightsqty 10
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 3

Kitchen

Cooking potsqty 4
Frying pansqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 4
Water jerry cansqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Frisbeesqty 4
Skipping ropesqty 6
Compassqty 8
Conesqty 20
Ropeqty 2
Waterproof route mapsqty 10

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 6
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Handwash sinksqty 2
Dish brushesqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4

Decorations

Camp flagsqty 4
Name badgesqty 35

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Eggs - 36 pieces
- Bacon cubes - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Ground beef - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Mixed peppers - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Garbage bags - 3 rolls
- Kitchen gloves - 2 boxes
- Tissues - 6 boxes
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Insect repellent - 6 bottles

Tips

Plan at least 2–3 reusable cups, plates and sets of cutlery per participant if washing up during the camp is limited. Add serving spoons and enough cooking pots for the number of meals you will prepare.
Allow roughly 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day, plus extra water for cooking and handwashing. Fill the water jerry cans before departure and use coolers for food that must stay chilled.
Check one sleeping mat and sleeping bag per participant, then add a few spare blankets or sleeping places if your group includes late registrations. Test tents at least 2–3 days before the camp so missing poles or damaged tarps can be replaced.
Pack one reliable flashlight per participant or pair, and charge power banks the day before leaving. Use LED lamps and string lights around the cooking and check-in areas rather than relying on phone lights after dark.
Sort sports equipment by activity before loading: keep footballs, frisbees, skipping ropes, cones, rope, a compass and waterproof route maps together. Bring route maps in a waterproof folder so one shower does not remove the instructions.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for an outdoor camp?: Plan 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day, then add water for cooking, cleaning and handwashing. Bring extra capacity in water jerry cans if the campsite has no reliable tap.
How many tents and sleeping bags do I need for a camp?: Prepare one suitable sleeping place per participant, including one tent space, sleeping mat and sleeping bag. Check the tent capacity and keep at least 1–2 spare sleeping places available for changes in attendance.
What cooking equipment should I buy for an outdoor camp?: Bring a gas stove with enough gas cylinders for every planned cooking session, plus cooking pots, frying pans, cutting boards, kitchen knives and serving spoons. Check the fuel supply 2–3 days before departure rather than at the campsite.
When should I prepare the outdoor camp shopping list?: Complete the first equipment check at least 7 days before the camp and do the final food and drink shopping 1–2 days before departure. Pack chilled food into coolers immediately before loading transport.

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