What you need for a silent march

A silent march needs more than headphones or signs. You need visible route markers, safe lighting, registration supplies and a reception point that still works after dark. Plan the quantities around your participant count, route length and number of volunteers. Check batteries, power banks and LED candles before the day, and buy disposable-looking essentials early: name stickers, pens, cups and first-aid supplies are easy to overlook until registration starts.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Tableclothsqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Lighting

LED candlesqty 150
LED lanternsqty 12
Batteriesqty 48

Equipment

Battery lampsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Power banksqty 4

Route and safety

Route signsqty 20
Conesqty 20
Safety vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 8
First aid kit
Rain umbrellasqty 6

Registration

Clipboardsqty 6
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Name stickersqty 150
Route mapsqty 150
Information boardsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee potsqty 6

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12
Coolersqty 4

Cleaning

Hand broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Low-salt crackers - 6 packs
- Whole grain crackers - 6 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 2 packs
- Vegan cookies - 2 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan at least one route sign or arrow for every decision point, plus a few spare signs in case weather or crowds make them hard to see. Add cones where participants could leave the planned route.
Give each route or safety volunteer a safety vest and flashlight. Keep a first-aid kit at the reception point and carry a second kit if the route is long or split between several teams.
Test every LED candle, lantern and battery lamp before packing them. Bring spare batteries and power banks; do not rely on extension cords unless the reception setup has a safe, nearby power source.
For registration, prepare one clipboard and pen per registration station, then add roughly 10% spare name stickers and printed route maps. Keep the participant information and contact list at the same point.
Match reusable cups, plates and cutlery to the expected attendance, with around 10% extra for lost or dropped items. Bring enough coffee pots, kettles and thermos flasks to serve the reception without making everyone wait for one batch.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a silent march?: You need route signs, cones, safety vests, flashlights, a first-aid kit, LED lighting, registration materials and reception supplies. The exact quantity depends on attendance, route length and the number of volunteer stations.
How many flashlights and safety vests do I need for a silent march?: Start with one flashlight and one safety vest for every volunteer working along the route or at a crossing. Add at least 2 spare flashlights and 2 spare vests so one missing or faulty item does not leave a station uncovered.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a silent march?: Plan one cup, one plate and one cutlery set per participant for a single reception serving, then add about 10% extra. For 100 participants, that means roughly 110 of each item.
When should I test the lighting for a silent march?: Test LED candles, lanterns, battery lamps and power banks 2 to 3 days before the march. Pack spare batteries on the same day and do a short setup test at least 1 hour before participants arrive.

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