What to Bring and Buy for a Rafting Camp

A rafting camp needs more than boats and paddles. You also need dry storage, sleeping gear, cooking and serving supplies, lighting, and safety equipment that still works after getting wet. Use the participant list to calculate food, cups, plates, and sleeping space before shopping. Pack safety and route materials separately from camp supplies so they remain easy to find in an emergency.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Rafting boatsqty 4
Paddlesqty 28
Life jacketsqty 30
Helmetsqty 30
Wetsuitsqty 28
Water shoesqty 28
Throw linesqty 4
Carabinersqty 12
Waterproof barrelsqty 8
Waterproof phone casesqty 6
Whistlesqty 10
Flashlightsqty 10
First aid bagsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Waterproof route mapsqty 4

Camping

Tentsqty 10
Sleeping matsqty 28
Sleeping bagsqty 28
Cushionsqty 28
Ground tarpsqty 10
Herringqty 80
Hammerqty 3

Furniture

Camping chairsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 6
Party tentsqty 2
Storage binsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Platesqty 35
Cutlery setsqty 35
Cutting boardsqty 4
Scissorsqty 3

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Gas cylindersqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 2
Battery lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Rechargeable power banksqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Mopqty 2
Broomqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Muesli - 2 kg
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Milk - 8 liters
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Cheese - 3 kg
- Ham - 2 kg
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Wraps - 60 pieces
- Chicken breast - 4 kg
- Falafel - 3 kg
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kg
- Bell peppers - 3 kg
- Corn - 8 cans
- Grated cheese - 3 kg
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Rice - 4 kg
- Pasta - 4 kg
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Vegetable mix - 6 kg
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Corn chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Charcoal - 2 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Salt - 2 containers
- Pepper - 2 cans
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan one sleeping mat and one sleeping bag per participant, plus at least one spare of each if your group has room. Check tent capacity before buying or packing tents.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour on the water, then add water for the rest of the day and overnight camp. Store drinking water separately from coolers used for food.
Pack waterproof barrels for food, clothing, route maps, and electronics. Put phones in waterproof cases before boarding, not after the first splash.
Bring one reusable cup, plate, and cutlery set per person, then add five extra sets for instructors, damage, or late arrivals. Cutting boards and knives should be kept in a dry storage bin.
Count one flashlight per person for an overnight camp and keep first aid bags, emergency blankets, whistles, throw lines, and carabiners accessible rather than buried in luggage.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack for a rafting camp overnight?: Pack a wetsuit, water shoes, life jacket, helmet, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, dry clothes, towel, flashlight, and personal toiletries. Keep anything that must stay dry in a waterproof barrel or bag.
How much food and drink do I need for a rafting camp?: For drinks, plan two to three per person during the first hour and enough additional water for the full day and overnight stay. For meals, count every registered participant, then add about 10% extra for instructors, changing attendance, or spilled food.
How many tents and sleeping mats do I need for a rafting camp?: You need one sleeping space per participant, including supervisors and instructors. Divide the group across tents according to their stated capacity and bring one extra sleeping mat or sleeping bag when transport space allows.
What rafting safety equipment should we bring to camp?: Each participant needs a correctly fitted life jacket and helmet, while the group should have throw lines, carabiners, whistles, waterproof route maps, first aid bags, and emergency blankets. Check every item before departure and keep emergency equipment immediately accessible.

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