What you need for a tent camp

A tent camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. You will also need a dry place for every sleeper, cooking equipment, shared tableware, lighting and a way to keep food and drinks cold. Plan quantities from the number of participants, then add a small buffer for breakages, wet weather and late arrivals. This list supports the practical setup, from marking tent spaces and preparing the cooking area to registering participants and explaining camp rules.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Sleeping tentsqty 10
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding benchesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 12
Party tentqty 2

Outdoor

Sleeping matsqty 35
Sleeping bagsqty 35
Cushionsqty 35
Ground tarpsqty 10
Tarpaulinsqty 6
Herringqty 100
Malletsqty 6
Guy ropesqty 20
Picnic blanketqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 50
Mugsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving bowlsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Gas stovesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Cooking potsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 6
Whistlesqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Name stickersqty 40

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Mineral water - 40 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Yogurt - 4 liters
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Cornflakes - 2 packs
- Pasta - 4 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Ground beef - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Mixed salad - 8 bags
- Cucumber salad - 4 tubs
- Grated cheese - 1 kilo
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Popcorn kernels - 2 kilos
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Firewood - 2 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Toothpicks - 1 pack
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Insect repellent - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one sleeping tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag per sleeper, then bring at least one or two spare mats and blankets if space allows. Ground tarps should fit under the tents without sticking out, where rainwater could collect.
For shared meals, provide one reusable plate, cup, mug and cutlery set per person, plus at least 10% extra. Serving bowls and serving spoons are easy to overlook when food is ready but there is nothing to dish it out with.
Allow one gas stove for every 6–8 people if meals need to be cooked within a reasonable time. Bring enough gas cylinders for the full cooking schedule, and keep cooking pots, cutting boards and kitchen knives together rather than scattered across packing boxes.
Plan lighting in zones: one LED lamp for the registration or dining area, one for the cooking area and one near each main tent route. Give each participant access to a flashlight, especially if people will move around after dark.
Pack weather and setup equipment before buying food: tarpaulins, guy ropes, herring and mallets protect the camp when conditions change. Add extension cords only where they are suitable for the planned lighting and keep safety equipment easy to reach.

Frequently asked questions

How many tents do I need for a tent camp?: Plan one sleeping tent space for each sleeping group, based on the number of people sharing. Add at least one spare tent or alternative sleeping space if the group is large or the forecast is uncertain.
How many sleeping bags and mats should I bring?: Bring one sleeping bag and one sleeping mat per person who will sleep on site. Pack at least 5–10% extra if several people are borrowing equipment or if the camp lasts more than one night.
How much tableware do I need for a camp meal?: Allow one reusable plate, cup, mug and cutlery set per participant, plus 10% extra. For 30 people, that means at least 33 of each shared item so a dropped or dirty item does not stop the meal.
How much lighting is needed for an overnight tent camp?: Use at least one LED lamp for each main shared area and one flashlight per participant or sleeping group. Set up and test the lighting before dusk, ideally at least 60 minutes before participants arrive.

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