What to Buy for a 5-Day Summer Camp

A five-day summer camp needs more than food and tents. This shopping list covers sleeping equipment, cooking and serving gear, camp furniture, shelter, and practical supplies for a group staying outdoors. Plan quantities from your final participant list, then add a small reserve for breakages, wet weather, and late arrivals. Buy chilled food last, keep it refrigerated, and separate non-perishable groceries before loading the transport.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 36
Beer tablesqty 4

Camping

Tents for participantsqty 8
Leader tent
Kitchen tent
Ground tarpsqty 10
Air mattressesqty 30
Sleeping bagsqty 30
Cushionsqty 30
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Tent pegsqty 80
Hammerqty 4
Ropeqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 50
Mugsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 5
Kitchen knivesqty 6

Kitchen

Large cooking potsqty 4
Frying pansqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Gas burnersqty 4
Gas cylindersqty 4
Coolersqty 5
Cutting boardsqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 6
Barbecuesqty 2
Lightersqty 4

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 12
Headlampsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 2
Frisbeesqty 6
Tennis ballsqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 8
Conesqty 24
Compassesqty 10
Stopwatchesqty 4
Water balloonsqty 200

Activities

Craft paperqty 2
Markersqty 4
Paint setsqty 4
Brushesqty 24
Scissorsqty 12
Glueqty 12
Game cardsqty 6
Board gamesqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Whistlesqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 8
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 40
Waterproof markersqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomsqty 4
Eye-catchersqty 2
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Brown bread - 18 loaves
- White bread - 12 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 10 loaves
- Wraps - 60 pieces
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian slices - 2 kilo
- Eggs - 90 pieces
- Yogurt - 10 liters
- Muesli - 5 kilos
- Oatmeal - 3 kilo
- Cornflakes - 4 packs
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Pears - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Bell peppers - 30 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Rice - 6 kilos
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Pizza bases - 20 pieces
- Diced tomatoes - 20 cans
- Pasta sauce - 12 jars
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 10 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Chicken burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Cocktail sausages - 40 pieces
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 3 grinders
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Syrup - 6 bottles
- Mineral water - 120 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Bread bags - 200 pcs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles
- Mosquito spray - 8 bottles
- Tissues - 12 packs

Tips

Count one sleeping bag, air mattress, cushion, and suitable tent space for every participant, then keep spare tent pegs, rope, and ground tarps available for repairs or wet ground.
Plan reusable plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and cutlery for each camper plus at least 10% extra. Add serving spoons and cutting boards so food preparation does not depend on personal equipment.
Check cooking capacity against the menu before shopping. For a large group, one pot or frying pan may not be enough; confirm that gas burners, gas cylinders, kettles, and coffee machines are compatible and fuelled.
Buy shelf-stable groceries first and sort them into clearly labelled boxes by meal or day. Purchase chilled products as close to departure as possible and store them in a fridge until loading.
Pack camp-specific items that are easy to overlook: a hammer for tent pegs, rope for securing tarps, tables and chairs for meal times, and printed emergency contacts and campsite rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much camping equipment do I need for a five-day summer camp?: Plan one sleeping place per participant, including a tent space, air mattress, sleeping bag, and cushion. Add around 10% spare tent pegs and repair materials, and confirm the exact total after registrations close.
When should I buy food for a five-day summer camp?: Buy non-perishable groceries several days before departure so they can be sorted by meal. Buy chilled products no earlier than one or two days before leaving, then keep them refrigerated until transport.
How many plates and cups should I pack per camper?: Pack one reusable plate, bowl, cup, mug, and cutlery set per camper, plus at least 10% extra. Extra tableware prevents problems when items are misplaced, dirty, or damaged during the five days.
What cooking equipment is needed for a five-day camp?: Match the equipment to the menu and group size, but plan for large cooking pots, frying pans, mixing bowls, measuring cups, knives, cutting boards, serving spoons, kettles, and a working gas setup. Check burners and gas cylinders before loading, not at the campsite.

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.