Science camp shopping list

A science camp needs more than experiment materials. You also need safe workstations, measuring equipment, presentation gear, food storage and supplies for registration and group activities. Use the plan below to organize what must be bought, borrowed or brought to the venue. Shop for non-perishable items first, then buy chilled groceries close to the start of camp so food and temperature-sensitive samples stay usable.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 2
Registration desk
Stoolsqty 8

Equipment

Laptopsqty 4
Projector
Projector screen
Speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 8
Digital scalesqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 8
Flashlightsqty 12
Thermometersqty 8
Magnifying glassesqty 12
Binocularsqty 8
Compass setsqty 8
Tripodsqty 8
Safety gogglesqty 50
Lab coatsqty 45
Test tubesqty 50
Test tube racksqty 8
Plastic pipettesqty 100
Graduated cylindersqty 12
Plastic funnelsqty 12
Petri dishesqty 40
Magnetsqty 30
Crocodile clipsqty 30
LED lightsqty 30
Battery holdersqty 15
Copper wire rollsqty 8
AA batteriesqty 40
Mirrorsqty 8
Plastic tasting cupsqty 100
Skewersqty 200
Balloonsqty 100
Rope rollsqty 8
Funnel setsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 8
Measuring spoonsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Kettlesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30
Serving traysqty 4

Sports equipment

Conesqty 20
Hoopsqty 8
Soft ballsqty 8

Decorations

Name badgesqty 55
Badge holdersqty 55
Colored table linenqty 10
Round stickersqty 200
Chalkboardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 6 kilos
- Rice - 4 kilos
- Pasta - 4 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Vegetable mix - 6 kilo
- Vegetarian strips - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast - 4 kilos
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Feta - 1 kilo
- Yogurt - 4 kilos
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Turkey breast - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Granulated sugar for tasting - 2 kilo
- Baking soda - 1 kilo
- Cornstarch - 1 kilo
- Vinegar - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Red cabbage indicator - 4 heads
- Red cabbage - 6 heads
- Red food coloring - 4 bottles
- Cornstarch for experiments - 4 kilos
- Yeast - 10 packets
- Dry ice - 5 kilos
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers

Tips

Count sample materials by participant group, then add at least 10% extra for spills, failed trials and repeated measurements. Test every trial setup before camp day so missing consumables are found while there is still time to shop.
Prepare one safety station for each active work area, including safety goggles and lab coats in the quantities needed for the largest group. Keep emergency information and consent details at the registration desk rather than packed with general equipment.
Pack measurement and observation tools together: digital scales, stopwatches, thermometers, magnifying glasses, binoculars and compass sets are easy to scatter across boxes. Label each kit by activity and check it against the run sheet before loading the vehicle.
Buy non-perishable food and drinks several days ahead, but purchase chilled groceries on the day before camp or the morning of camp. Use coolers for transport and keep thermos flasks ready for hot drinks or warm water where the programme requires them.
Allow one charging point for every laptop or other rechargeable device, plus spare extension cords and power strips. Test the projector, screen, speaker, microphone and charging cables at the venue before participants arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a science camp?: Plan for work tables, chairs and a registration desk, plus laptops, a projector and screen, a speaker and microphone. For practical activities, allow enough digital scales, stopwatches, thermometers, flashlights and observation tools for each participant group, with at least 10% spare capacity.
How much safety equipment should I buy for science camp?: Provide one pair of safety goggles and one lab coat for every participant who works at a practical station, plus a small reserve for replacements. Set aside at least one clearly marked safety point per active work area and check the equipment before the first trial.
When should I buy food for a science camp?: Buy non-perishable items several days in advance. Purchase chilled groceries no earlier than the day before camp, transport them in coolers and check dietary requirements before finalizing quantities.
How early should I prepare science camp materials?: Count and pack materials at least 3 to 5 days before camp, then test every experiment setup before the final run sheet is printed. Bring the packed equipment to the venue early enough to check rooms, power outlets, toilets and presentation equipment before registration opens.

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