What to bring for a survival day

A survival day needs more than ropes and outdoor challenges. You also need reliable navigation, safe work areas, drinking water, shelter, first aid and a clear way to organise groups. Use this shopping list to prepare the equipment participants will handle, plus the items that are often forgotten until setup starts. Check quantities against your group size, weather forecast and activity plan before shopping, and pack materials by activity so nothing is left behind.

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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
- Drinking water - 60 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemon tea - 1 box
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young matured cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Ground beef - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian meatballs - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Leeks - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Zucchini - 3 kilo
- Mushrooms - 2 kilos
- Corn in cans - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 6 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Charcoal - 2 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Firewood - 4 bags

Tips

Plan at least one compass, whistle and pair of eye-level communication devices for each participant group. Add a few spares rather than relying on everyone’s phone in poor reception or wet conditions.
Bring enough drinking water for the full activity period, then add extra capacity for hot weather or delays. Water filters and jerrycans are easy to overlook when the venue has no dependable drinking-water point.
Pack shelter and ground protection before the event day: a party tent, tarps and storage crates keep equipment, food and paperwork dry. Allow setup time for securing the tent if wind or rain is forecast.
Separate cutting and building equipment into labelled crates, including work gloves, hand saws, pruning shears, wooden poles and rope. Count every tool before the first activity and again when participants finish.
Keep first aid kits, emergency blankets, fire extinguishers and fire blankets at clearly marked points, not buried in a general equipment box. Check the kits before shopping and restock them several days before the event.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a survival day?: For a typical survival day, plan for navigation equipment, rope, tarps, tools, water containers, lighting, communication devices and safety gear. Add tables, benches, shelter and reusable tableware if food or group work is part of the programme.
How much drinking water should I bring for a survival day?: Start with around 2 litres of drinking water per participant for a full day, then add extra for hot weather, cooking and delays. Bring jerrycans or another clearly measured storage option so the supply can be checked during the day.
How many first aid kits are needed for a survival day?: Use at least one fully stocked first aid kit at the main base and add a second kit if groups work far apart or on separate routes. Check contents 2–3 days before the event rather than discovering missing items during setup.
When should I buy and pack survival day equipment?: Buy consumables and replace missing safety items at least 3–5 days before the event. Pack activity-specific crates the day before, then do a final count of tools, radios, lights and printed materials before leaving for the site.

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