What to Buy and Bring for Summer Camp

A summer camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. You also need a workable cooking setup, enough water containers, reusable tableware, shade, first-aid supplies and equipment for activities. Use the plan’s shopping list alongside your confirmed participant count, dietary requirements and campsite facilities. Check what the venue already provides before buying bulky items such as tables, benches, gas burners or coolers.

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What to bring

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

Camping

Sleeping tentsqty 8
Guide tent
Ground tarpsqty 9
Herringqty 80
Tent hammersqty 6
Sleeping matsqty 30
Sleeping bagsqty 30
Collapsible cratesqty 12

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding benchesqty 10
Registration desk

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 50
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Cooking and serving spoonsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Water jugsqty 6
Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Jerry cansqty 6

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Tennis ballsqty 12
Ropeqty 4
Conesqty 20
Relay batonsqty 8
Water gunsqty 12
Compassqty 8
Magnifying glassesqty 8

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 6

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 10
Headlampsqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 4
Whistlesqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 40
Waterproof markersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 6
Towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Brown bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 4 loaves
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Cheese - 3 kilos
- Turkey breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Ground beef - 4 kilo
- Kidney beans - 12 cans
- Corn - 10 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 16 cans
- Passata - 8 packs
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Pasta - 4 kilo
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 kilos
- Muesli - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilos
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Bouillon cubes - 2 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 60 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Carbonated water - 12 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan sleeping gear per participant: allow one sleeping mat and one sleeping bag for every camper, plus a tent capacity that matches the final participant list. Label luggage before arrival so tents can be assigned quickly.
For meals, count one reusable plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon per person, then add at least 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Pack washing-up bowls, cooking utensils and enough coolers to keep fresh produce chilled.
Work out water before shopping: allow at least 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day, in addition to water needed for cooking and washing up. Use jerry cans and water jugs only after checking whether the campsite has a safe drinking-water point.
Keep the cooking area separate from sleeping tents and bring fuel for the full stay, not just the first day. Check gas cylinders, burners, pots, cutting boards and kitchen knives together at least 48 hours before departure.
Pack for weather changes even during summer: bring ground tarps, tent pegs and hammers for wet or windy conditions, plus a party tent or canopy for shade. Charge phones and walkie-talkies the day before and keep the first-aid kit accessible.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a summer camp?: Start with sleeping tents, ground tarps, pegs, hammers, sleeping mats and sleeping bags. Add cooking equipment, gas and cylinders, coolers, water containers, reusable tableware, shade structures and activity equipment such as footballs. Match quantities to the final participant list and the length of the camp.
How much water should I bring for a summer camp?: Allow at least 2–3 litres of drinking water per person per day, then add extra for cooking and washing up. For a three-day camp with 20 people, that means 120–180 litres for drinking alone. Confirm the campsite’s water supply before shopping.
How many plates and cups do I need for camp?: Bring one plate, bowl, cup and complete set of cutlery per person, plus around 10% spare. For 30 campers, pack at least 33 of each reusable item where possible. If washing up is limited, increase the quantity so one meal does not depend on the previous one being clean.
When should I do the summer camp shopping?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check equipment at least 48 hours before departure. Shop for fresh produce as late as practical, ideally the day before, and keep it chilled during transport and on site. Recheck dietary requirements and registrations before the final shop.

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