Summer camp shopping list: what to buy and bring

A summer camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. This shopping list covers the practical supplies for sleeping, cooking, serving meals, keeping food cold and managing camp equipment. Plan quantities from the number of participants, then add a small reserve for breakages, spills and late arrivals. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and confirm the weather forecast before deciding how much shelter, warm bedding and drinking water to bring.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Camp tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 45
Beer table setsqty 4
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 6

Sleeping

Camping tentsqty 10
Air mattressesqty 40
Sleeping bagsqty 40
Cushionsqty 40
Ground tarpsqty 10
Tent hammersqty 4
Tent pegsqty 80

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 60
Knivesqty 50
Forksqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas canistersqty 12
Large cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Koks75 knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Water jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 2
Basketballsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 6
Skipping ropesqty 8
Conesqty 30
Relay batonsqty 8
Water balloonsqty 200
Rope rollsqty 4
Trash bagsqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Flashlightsqty 12
Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4
Headlampsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 50
Markersqty 12
Whiteboard

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 4
Dish brushesqty 6
Bucketsqty 6
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Sunscreen dispensersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Oatmeal - 4 kilos
- Cornflakes - 3 boxes
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Wholemeal bread - 18 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Croissants - 50 pieces
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Milk - 24 liters
- Yogurt - 16 liters
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 30 pieces
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Rice - 8 kilo
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Pita bread - 60 pieces
- Pasta sauce - 12 jars
- Tomato paste - 8 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Vegetable burgers - 50 pieces
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 50 pieces
- Hot dog sausages - 50 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 50 pieces
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Coffee - 3 kilos
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 10 packs
- Orange juice - 10 packs
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Large trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes

Tips

Count one reusable plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon per participant, plus at least 10% extra. Serving spoons and kitchen tongs are easy to overlook when the meal is ready.
Plan sleeping equipment per person: one sleeping bag, one air mattress and one cushion. Bring a ground tarp for each tent area and check that you have enough pegs and tent hammers before departure.
Allow at least 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day, then add extra for cooking and hot weather. Use water jugs for camp supplies and thermos flasks for drinks that need to stay hot.
Match cooking capacity to the group size rather than relying on one large pot. For a group of 20, prepare at least two cooking stations or burners so meals do not depend on a single piece of equipment.
Buy ice or cold packs on the day you leave and fill the coolers just before transport. Keep one cooler for drinks and another for perishable food, and label them so the food cooler is opened less often.

Frequently asked questions

How much camping equipment do I need per person for summer camp?: Plan one sleeping bag, air mattress, cushion, cup, plate, bowl and basic cutlery set per person. Add at least 10% spare tableware and check the tent capacity before assigning places.
How much water should I bring to summer camp?: Allow 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day, plus water for cooking and washing. For a two-day camp with 20 people, that means at least 80–120 litres for drinking alone.
When should I buy food and fill the coolers?: Buy fresh and chilled food no earlier than one day before camp. Fill the coolers immediately before departure, ideally within 1 hour of loading, and keep them closed during transport.
How many gas burners do I need for a summer camp?: Use one burner for small groups and at least two for around 20 participants when cooking a full meal. Check the gas canisters before leaving and bring enough fuel for every planned hot meal.

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.