Scout camp shopping list: what to bring and buy

A scout camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. Plan sleeping gear for every participant, safe cooking equipment, reusable tableware, lighting and a way to keep food cold. Count equipment by person before shopping, then add a small reserve for breakages, wet gear and late arrivals. Keep food refrigerated until departure and check that all materials fit the route from the vehicle to the campsite.

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What to bring

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

Camping gear

Camping tentsqty 8
Ground tarpsqty 8
Sleeping matsqty 40
Sleeping bagsqty 40
Cushionsqty 40
Flashlightsqty 12
Herringqty 80
Guy ropesqty 24

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Beer benchesqty 12
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 4
Gas cylindersqty 4
Large cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef and kitchen knivesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Water jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 6

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 12
String lightsqty 4

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Ropesqty 8
Conesqty 24
Frisbeesqty 6
Waterproof playing cardsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Work glovesqty 8
Pocket knife toolsqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Dustpans and brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Oatmeal - 4 packs
- Muesli - 3 packs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilogram
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Ground beef - 6 kilogram
- Vegetarian minced meat substitute - 2 kilogram
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Tomato paste - 6 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Count sleeping mats, sleeping bags and cushions for every participant and adult leader before you pack. Add at least one spare sleeping place if the group size may change.
Plan reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery at one complete place setting per person, plus 10% extra. Serving spoons are easy to overlook when the cooking pots are ready but food still needs to reach the tables.
For cooking, match the number of gas burners and cylinders to the menu rather than guessing. Take at least two large cooking pots for a group meal, along with cutting boards, kitchen knives, measuring cups and water jugs.
Pack one flashlight per person and place LED lanterns around the cooking area, registration desk and sleeping area. Bring power banks as well, because phones used for emergency contacts and weather checks still need charging.
Use coolers with enough capacity for the full first day of food and drinks, and keep them closed between servings. Pack waste bins, tablecloths and reusable tableware together so the eating area can be set up without searching through camping bags.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a scout camp shopping list?: Plan sleeping gear, ground tarps, tent pegs and guy ropes, cooking equipment, reusable tableware, coolers, lighting, tables and waste bins. Also check first aid supplies and emergency contact information before departure.
How many cups and plates do I need for a scout camp?: Allow one reusable cup, plate, bowl and set of cutlery per participant and leader, then add 10% extra. For 30 people, that means 33 of each item where practical.
How much food and drink should I buy for a scout camp?: Base the shopping list on the number of participants, meals and the camp duration. For the first hour of an active arrival period, plan roughly two to three drinks per person, then keep additional water available throughout the day.
When should I buy food for a scout camp?: Buy shelf-stable food and drinks up to 2 or 3 days before camp, but purchase chilled items as close to departure as possible. Store refrigerated groceries cold until they are loaded into the coolers.

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