What to Bring for a Survival Day

A survival day needs more than ropes and outdoor challenges. You’ll also need a reliable water setup, food that can be stored safely, cooking equipment, navigation tools and supplies for marking the route. Pack for changing weather and muddy hands: waterproof folders, bags, gloves and tarpaulins are easy to overlook. Use this shopping list alongside the plan to check what must be bought, borrowed or loaded before participants arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 6
Folding chairqty 48
Registration desk
Waste binqty 4

Sports equipment

20-meter ropeqty 6
Short climbing ropeqty 12
Compassqty 12
Topographic mapqty 12
Marker coneqty 24
Vestqty 12
Waterproof task folderqty 12
Wooden poleqty 24
Tarpaulinqty 12
Paracordqty 6
Work gloveqty 48
Waterproof bagqty 12
Plastic bucketqty 8
Water tankqty 2
Tarp clipqty 24
Marking tapeqty 4
Whistleqty 6

Equipment

Portable speaker
Power bankqty 4
Extension cordqty 2

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED lanternqty 8
Headlampqty 12

Kitchen

Gas burnerqty 2
Large stockpotqty 2
Cool boxqty 4
Cutting boardqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving spoonqty 4
Thermosqty 4

Tableware

Reusable plateqty 48
Reusable bowlqty 48
Reusable cutleryqty 48
Reusable drinking glassqty 60

Safety

First aid kitqty 2
Fire extinguisherqty 2
Safety gogglesqty 12
Utility knifeqty 6
Flashlightqty 6

Cleaning

Handwashing stationqty 2
Dishpanqty 3
Dish brushqty 3
Litter pickerqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Multifruit juice - 4 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 48 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilo
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Leeks - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Zucchini - 3 kilos
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Vegetable stock - 4 boxes
- Lentils - 3 kilos
- Herb mix - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Charcoal - 3 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper napkins - 6 packs

Tips

Plan at least one water station and bring a water tank, plastic buckets and drinking supplies; outdoor activity stations can use more water than expected, especially in warm weather.
Keep food chilled until serving and prepare a cooking point with a gas burner and large stockpot. Allow extra time for setup, because heating food outdoors is slower than using an indoor kitchen.
Protect printed survival tasks, maps and scorecards in waterproof task folders or bags. Prepare one complete set for each team and keep a spare copy at the registration table.
Bring more route-marking supplies than the route itself seems to require: marker cones, marking tape and wooden poles are useful when reference points are hard to see or the weather changes.
Check safety equipment before loading the car, not on the morning itself. Test the ropes, pack work gloves and paracord, and keep the first aid kit and printed emergency numbers at the registration point.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a survival day?: Plan at least 2 litres of drinking water per participant for a full outdoor day, then add extra for hot weather and cooking. Keep the supply at a clearly marked water station and refill it before the first activity starts.
What food should I buy for a survival day?: Choose food that can be kept chilled, served in portions and prepared with a gas burner and large stockpot. Shop no later than the day before, and keep perishable food refrigerated until it is needed.
What equipment does each survival team need?: Give each team its own waterproof task folder, map or compass, marking supplies and any activity-specific ropes or gloves. Prepare the team sets at least one day ahead so missing equipment can still be replaced.
What should I pack for bad weather?: Bring tarpaulins, waterproof bags, tarp clips, work gloves and extra marking tape. Check the forecast 24 hours before the event and make a final weather-based packing check on the morning itself.

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