What to bring and buy for a winter camp

A winter camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. Plan for hot meals, warm drinks, wet clothing, low light and shared tableware, especially if the group stays overnight. This checklist covers the practical supplies for cooking, serving, sleeping and setting up the camp. Confirm the final headcount before shopping, then match the quantities of food, drinks and sleeping equipment to the number of participants.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Beer tablesqty 4
Benchesqty 10
Chairsqty 20
Foldable tablesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6
Coat racksqty 3

Camping

Tentsqty 10
Sleeping matsqty 40
Sleeping bagsqty 40
Blanketsqty 20
Pillowsqty 40
Garment bagsqty 40
Flashlightsqty 20
Spare batteriesqty 40

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 50
Mugsqty 50
Drinking glassesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50

Kitchen

Large cooking potsqty 3
Frying pansqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Gas stovesqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 4
Lightersqty 4

Catering

Coffee machinesqty 2
Large drink dispensersqty 3

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Lanternsqty 8

Sports equipment

Conesqty 20
Ropesqty 6
Balloon gamesqty 30
Ballsqty 6
Game cardsqty 4

Decorations

Pennantsqty 6
Name badgesqty 50
Markersqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Fire blanketsqty 2
Buckets of waterqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 3

Groceries

Groceries
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Pistolets - 50 pieces
- Croissants - 50 pieces
- Butter - 1,5 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Milk - 12 liters
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 kilos
- Oatmeal - 3 kilo
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Mandarins - 50 pieces
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Peppers - 20 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kilo
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 10 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Lentils - 4 cans
- Ground beef - 4 kilo
- Vegetarian mince - 2 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 3 boxes
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Wraps - 60 pieces
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Sour cream - 2 kilos
- Tomato paste - 8 cans
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cumin - 150 gram
- Chili powder - 100 gram
- Oregano - 100 grams
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Applesauce - 4 jars
- Chocolate mousse - 50 portions
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Biscuits - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 3 kilos
- Coffee - 1.5 kilos
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 1 kilo
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Sparkling water - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Tea towels - 20 pieces
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan one complete place setting per participant, plus 10% spare plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery for dropped or dirty items. Bring serving spoons separately so shared dishes do not require personal utensils.
For the first evening, allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks before departure and keep hot water in thermos flasks for late arrivals.
Pack one sleeping mat and sleeping bag per person, then add at least one blanket for every two people. Check sleeping places before the group arrives; spare bedding is difficult to arrange after dark.
Bring one flashlight per person and a spare battery set for every two flashlights. Winter darkness arrives early, so keep lighting accessible rather than packed at the bottom of a vehicle.
Allow at least two large cooking pots, two frying pans, two cutting boards and enough knives for food preparation. Pack coolers for chilled ingredients and check that the gas stoves, kettles and thermos flasks are ready before leaving.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for an overnight winter camp?: Bring tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, garment bags and flashlights with spare batteries. For meals, pack cooking pots, frying pans, cutting boards, knives, serving spoons, kettles, thermos flasks, coolers and gas stoves, plus one place setting per participant.
How many sleeping bags and mats do I need for a winter camp?: Plan one sleeping mat and one sleeping bag for every overnight participant. Add at least one spare sleeping bag or warm blanket for every 10 people, and confirm sleeping places before the event starts.
How much tableware should I buy for a camp meal?: Use one plate, bowl, mug and cutlery set per person, with 10% extra. For 20 participants, that means 22 of each item where possible, plus serving spoons and enough drinking glasses for the planned drinks.
How early should I shop for a winter camp?: Complete the main shopping at least 2 days before departure, then buy fresh vegetables, fruit and chilled drinks no later than the day before. Chill drinks and check cooking and sleeping equipment on the final day.

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