What you need for a pioneer competition

A pioneer competition needs more than wooden poles and ropes. You also need measuring and timing equipment, clear judging materials, registration supplies, lighting and safe working gear. For the food break, plan serving equipment as well as soup, bread and enough reusable tableware. Use this list to check what must be bought, borrowed or transported before the competition day, especially items that are easy to overlook such as extension cords, waste bins and warmholding pans.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 55
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Wooden pioneer polesqty 80
Pioneer ropesqty 120
Thin sisal ropeqty 4
Herringqty 40
Measuring tapesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6

Equipment

Megaphone
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 30
Calculatorsqty 3

Kitchen

Warmholding pansqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable soup bowlsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Work glovesqty 20
Safety vestsqty 8

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Start and finish signqty 2
Prizesqty 3
Certificatesqty 50

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Dishpanqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2.5 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 6 tubs
- Vegan sandwich loaf slices - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls

Tips

Check the wooden poles, ropes and herring at least one week before the event. Count the equipment for every competition station, then order missing materials before the final setup.
Prepare one clipboard, several pens and a score sheet for each judging team, plus spare pens for registration. Pack calculators and stopwatches together so judges do not have to search for them.
Plan the catering quantities from the confirmed participant count and dietary requirements. Keep soup hot in warmholding pans, and provide one reusable bowl, plate, cup and set of cutlery per person, plus spares.
Test LED work lights and extension cords before transporting them to the venue. Bring enough cable length to reach every station and keep the competition area visible if setup or judging continues after dark.
Pack safety equipment with the competition materials rather than leaving it for the venue team. Provide work gloves and safety vests for people building stations, and place a first aid kit where it can be reached immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How many pioneer poles and ropes do I need per competition station?: Count the required construction materials for one station, then multiply by the number of teams or stations running at the same time. Add at least one spare rope bundle and a small reserve of poles for breakage or measurement errors.
How much soup and bread should I buy for a pioneer competition?: Use the confirmed participant and volunteer count as your base and allow one serving of soup and bread per person. Add around 10% extra so late arrivals, judges and seconds do not leave the catering short.
When should I prepare the score sheets and judging equipment?: Prepare and check the score sheets, clipboards, pens, calculators and stopwatches at least two days before the competition. Pack one complete judging set per judging team, with spare pens and paper in a separate box.
What safety and lighting equipment is needed for setup?: Have at least one first aid kit available at the venue, and provide work gloves and safety vests for the setup crew. Test the LED work lights and extension cords no later than the day before, then pack them where they can be accessed first.

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.