Survival Day Checklist and Planning Guide

A survival day needs more than activities and outdoor equipment. You also need a clear participant list, permission for the site, safe work areas, reliable communication, and a plan for changing weather. Start with the venue, registrations, dietary information, and emergency contacts. During the final week, check every activity for risks, test the radios and tools, and pack equipment by activity. On the day itself, mark the site before participants arrive and keep first aid, water, fire safety equipment, and the programme easy to reach.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Confirm venue and permission
Send invitations
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Check emergency contacts
Assign participant groups
2 people
Send route and parking information
Check the weather forecast
Review activities and risks
2 people
Check the shopping list
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect materials
2 people
Check tools
2 people
Restock the first aid kit
Prepare portions and dietary meals
3 people
Charge phones and walkie-talkies
Print the program and participant list
Pack materials per activity
3 people
Check site and weather risks
2 people
Place course markings
3 people
Set up tables and benches
3 people
Set up workstations
4 people
Set up cooking area safely
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up the reception desk
2 people

Event

Register participants
2 people
Give welcome briefing
2 people
Assign teams and supervisors
3 people
Build shelters
4 people
Practice knots and lashing
3 people
Guide the navigation task
4 people
Demonstrate water filter
2 people
Prepare dinner
4 people
Serve drinks and snacks
2 people
Safely light the campfire
2 people
Serve dinner
4 people
Refill drinks
Supervise the campfire program
3 people
Guide the night scavenger hunt
5 people
Check the final round and departure
3 people

Aftercare

Completely extinguish the campfire
2 people
Collect and sort waste
3 people
Wash dishes and cookware
3 people
Clean the grounds
4 people
Clear away the tables and benches
3 people
Store materials dry and complete
3 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Collect lost property

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Benchesqty 8
Party tentqty 2
Storage cratesqty 12

Sports equipment

Tarpaulinsqty 12
Strong ropeqty 8
Paracordqty 6
Compassesqty 12
Site mapsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4
Conesqty 20
Flashlightsqty 16
Headlampsqty 12
Water filtersqty 4
Jerry cansqty 6
Work glovesqty 20
Hand sawsqty 6
Pruning shearsqty 4
Wooden polesqty 40
Tug of war rope
Assignment cardsqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Fire blanketsqty 2
Whistlesqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Emergency blanketsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50

Kitchen

Cooking potsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 4
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Confirm the venue and permission at least 2–3 weeks before the survival day. Send route and parking information with the invitation so participants do not arrive late or park in unsafe areas.
Close registrations 5–7 days before the event and record dietary requirements and emergency contacts in one printed participant list. Give each group a clear assignment card before activities begin.
Check the weather forecast 48 hours before the event and again on the morning itself. Prepare a covered area with the party tent and tarpaulins, and review whether any activity needs to be shortened or moved.
Pack materials in separate crates for each activity, including ropes, compasses, maps, gloves, saws, pruning shears, poles, and marking equipment. Charge phones and walkie-talkies the evening before and test them on site.
Set up first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, whistles, emergency blankets, water containers, and drinking supplies before participants arrive. Mark boundaries and hazards with barrier tape and cones, then brief every group leader on the emergency procedure.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a survival day?: Confirm the venue and permission 2–3 weeks ahead. Send invitations early enough to collect registrations, dietary requirements, and emergency contacts, then finalize groups about 5–7 days before the event.
What should I check the day before a survival day?: Check the shopping list, weather forecast, activity risks, tools, first aid supplies, and communication equipment. Charge phones and walkie-talkies, print the programme and participant list, and pack each activity’s materials separately.
How many first aid kits do I need for a survival day?: Keep at least one fully stocked first aid kit at the main base and add another if groups will work far apart. The kit should be reachable without crossing an activity area, with emergency contacts and the site map nearby.
When should I set up the survival day site?: Arrive early enough to place boundary markers, tables, benches, workstations, the cooking area, and the reception table before participants arrive. Allow extra time for a final terrain and weather-risk check, especially after rain or strong winds.

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.