What to Buy and Bring for a Sports Camp

A sports camp needs more than balls and team bibs. Plan food and drinks around active participants, then add equipment for different games, registration, scoring and field setup. Water, shade and first-aid supplies are easy to underestimate, especially when the programme runs for several hours. Use the plan’s shopping list together with your participant count, meal schedule and venue rules so you buy the right quantities instead of running short on essentials.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Party tentsqty 2
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 8
Basketballsqty 6
Volleyballqty 4
Tennis ballsqty 30
Conesqty 40
Marker discsqty 30
Vestsqty 50
Skipping ropesqty 12
Relay batonsqty 12
Hoopsqty 15
Hand pumpsqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6
Whistlesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 4
Tug of war ropeqty 2
Prizes and medalsqty 20
Training matsqty 12
Field marking tapeqty 6

Equipment

Portable speaker
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 70
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 6
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Vests for supervisorsqty 10

Registration

Clipboardsqty 4
Pensqty 20
Wristbandsqty 70
Name stickersqty 70
Information boardsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Floor mopsqty 3
Dustpans and brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Brown and white bread - 8 loaves
- Whole wheat bread - 4 loaves
- Mini pistolets - 70 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast topping - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 70 pieces
- Bananas - 70 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 70 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salty pretzels - 4 bags
- Pasta - 6 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Minced meat - 5 kilogram
- Vegetarian meatballs - 2 kilogram
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Green salad - 4 kilograms
- Cucumber salad - 2 kg
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Applesauce - 4 jars
- Water - 80 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Disposable napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Tea towels - 12 pieces

Tips

Allow at least 1 litre of water per participant for a half-day camp, and more in hot weather. Fill coolers before the first teams arrive rather than relying on a nearby shop.
For shared drinks, plan 2–3 servings per person for the first hour, then about 1 serving per person for each additional hour. Keep water separate from sweet drinks so it is easy to reach during games.
Pack one ball or main piece of equipment for every active game station, plus spare balls and a hand pump. Bring cones, marker discs and field-marking tape before participants arrive, because field setup takes longer than expected.
Prepare one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per participant, plus 10% extra for loss or damage. Put buffet tables, waste bins and a covered eating area in the same shopping check rather than arranging them at the last minute.
Set aside prizes or medals for every planned team or competition, and bring a portable speaker, wireless microphone, extension cords and power strips if announcements or music are part of the programme. Test all equipment before registration opens.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a sports camp?: For a half-day sports camp, start with at least 1 litre per participant. Add 0.5 litre per person for each extra few hours, and increase the amount in hot weather or when there is no refill point.
How many cups, plates and cutlery sets should I buy for a sports camp?: Plan one of each item per participant, plus 10% extra. For 30 participants, that means 33 reusable cups, 33 plates and 33 cutlery sets.
What sports equipment should I bring for a multi-sport camp?: Bring the main ball or equipment for every planned activity, along with cones, marker discs, bibs, a hand pump and field-marking tape. Have at least one spare ball for each sport that uses a ball.
When should I buy food and chill drinks for a sports camp?: Buy shelf-stable food and drinks 2–3 days before the camp, then chill perishable items the day before. Fill the coolers on the morning of the event, before registration and field setup begin.

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.