Raft Building Checklist

A raft building event needs more than planks and rope. You have to confirm the water venue, register participants, assign teams, move bulky materials safely and prepare the waterfront before anyone starts building. Work backwards from launch time: finish shopping and chilling beforehand, then inspect the site, sort materials and check safety equipment on arrival. This checklist covers the full sequence, including the small jobs people often leave until the last hour.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Send invitations
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Reserve the water venue
Reserve raft materials
Record food and drink choices
Arrange transport for materials
2 people
Check safety rules
2 people
Print participant list
Assign teams
Share the route to the venue
Check the weather forecast
Do the non-refrigerated shopping
2 people
Buy chilled groceries
2 people
Gather raft materials
3 people
Check tools
2 people
Chill the groceries
2 people
Prepare barbecue
2 people
Bring materials to the venue
4 people
Inspect the grounds and waterfront
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
Set up party tents
4 people
Sort building materials
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up the buffet and bar
3 people
Set up the barbecue and fire extinguisher
2 people
Mark out the raft-building route
2 people

Event

Receive participants
3 people
Serve welcome drinks
2 people
Give safety instructions
2 people
Announce team assignments
Distribute building materials
4 people
Build rafts
6 people
Perform a technical check on the rafts
3 people
Launch the rafts
6 people
Secure the rafts
3 people
Light the barbecue
2 people
Serve snacks and salads
3 people
Prepare barbecue dishes
3 people
Serve barbecue dishes
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Collect trash and empty bottles
2 people
Take the rafts out of the water
6 people
Serve the last round
2 people

Aftercare

Clear the venue
4 people
Rinse raft materials
3 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Safely extinguish barbecue
2 people
Leave the venue clean
4 people
Dry and store materials
3 people
Check deposit and borrowed equipment
2 people
Return rented equipment
2 people

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Raft materials

Plastic barrelsqty 16
Wooden support beamsqty 32
Wooden planksqty 24
Rope rollsqty 6
Ratchet strapsqty 24
Cable tiesqty 200
Paddlesqty 12
Waterproof storage cratesqty 8

Safety

Life jacketsqty 30
Safety helmetsqty 30
Work glovesqty 30
Rescue linesqty 4
Whistlesqty 30
First aid kitsqty 2
Waterproof phone casesqty 6

Tools

Rubber malletsqty 6
Hand sawsqty 4
Cordless drill driversqty 4
Measuring tapesqty 4
Bench visesqty 2
Wrench setsqty 4
Screwdriver setsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Spongesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set a registration deadline at least 7 days before the event so you can record food choices, dietary requirements and team numbers before printing the participant list.
Reserve the water venue and raft materials before sending final invitations. Allow at least 2 weeks for venue confirmation and transport planning, especially when materials include barrels, beams and planks.
Do the non-refrigerated shopping 2–3 days ahead, then buy chilled groceries on the day before or event morning. Chill drinks and food before loading the coolers, rather than relying on ice added at the venue.
Check the weather forecast 24 hours before the event and again on the morning itself. A waterfront inspection should happen before setup, including access, ground conditions, launch points and where rescue lines will be placed.
Allow at least 60–90 minutes at the venue for unloading, checking tools, sorting building materials, setting up tents and tables, and fitting out the buffet and bar before participants arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a raft building event?: Start venue, material and transport arrangements at least 2 weeks ahead. Close registrations about 7 days before the event so teams, dietary requirements and food choices can be finalised.
How long does raft building setup take?: Allow 60–90 minutes for unloading, site inspection, safety checks, tables, tents, food and drink setup. Add more time if materials must be carried a long distance from the vehicle to the waterfront.
What safety equipment do I need for raft building?: Plan one life jacket and one safety helmet per participant, plus work gloves, rescue lines, whistles and at least one first aid kit. Keep waterproof phone cases available and check all equipment before building starts.
When should I check the weather for raft building?: Check the forecast 24 hours before the event and once more on the morning of the event. Use the second check to confirm whether the waterfront, route and planned water activity remain suitable.

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.