What to Buy and Bring for a Work Camp

A work camp needs more than work materials. You also need a working kitchen, shared tableware, safe lighting, charging points and practical storage for a group staying overnight. Plan quantities from the participant list, then separate chilled food from shelf-stable supplies so nothing is picked up too early. Check the venue’s power, cooking and sleeping arrangements before you shop; missing extension cords, cups or bedding-related storage are difficult to replace once work has started.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 36
Benchesqty 6
Coat racksqty 4
Storage cratesqty 20
Clothes racksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 40
Platesqty 40
Soup bowlsqty 40
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Large cooking potsqty 4
Frying pansqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 5
Coolersqty 4
Storage binsqty 12
Kitchen laddersqty 2

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging stationsqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Work materials

Work glovesqty 36
Safety gogglesqty 36
Ear defendersqty 12
Reflective vestsqty 36
Toolboxesqty 6
Hammerqty 6
Screwdriver setsqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Measuring tapesqty 6
Spirit levelsqty 4
Scissorsqty 8
Pruning shearsqty 8
Scoopsqty 8
Rakesqty 8
Broomsqty 8
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Bucketsqty 10
Tarpsqty 8
Work cordsqty 6
Measuring tapeqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 8
Warning tapeqty 4
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Sleeping gear

Air mattressesqty 36
Sleeping bagsqty 36
Cushionsqty 36
Blanketsqty 36
Wash basinsqty 8

Cleaning

Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 24
Laundry basketsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Wholemeal bread - 18 loaves
- White Bread - 12 loaves
- Wholegrain rolls - 48 pieces
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Rusk - 4 rolls
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Salami - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 4 packs
- Eggs - 90 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 kilos
- Oatmeal - 3 kilo
- Milk - 18 liters
- Soy drink - 6 liters
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 24 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Rice - 6 kilos
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Lentils - 4 cans
- Soy mince - 3 kilo
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Ground beef - 5 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 3 boxes
- Chicken broth - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 3 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Basil - 4 tubs
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut sauce - 3 jars
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 48 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Fruit juice - 12 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Sparkling water - 4 crates
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan tableware for every participant plus at least 10% extra: for 30 people, that means 33 reusable cups, plates, bowls and each type of cutlery.
Buy or collect chilled products on the day they are needed. Use coolers for transport and keep a separate reserve of drinking water and other drinks for the first work shift.
Allow one large cooking pot for each hot dish prepared at the same time, and check that you have enough serving spoons, cutting boards and chef’s knives before the shopping trip.
Count work areas before buying missing tools and prepare one safety-equipment set for every active area. Label storage crates or bins so materials do not get mixed with kitchen supplies.
Check power points before loading equipment. For each workstation that needs power, plan the required extension cords and power strips, and keep battery lanterns available for dark arrival or sleeping areas.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a work camp?: Plan one cup, plate, bowl and set of cutlery per participant, plus 10% spare. For 30 participants, prepare 33 of each item so breakage, loss or delayed washing does not stop meals.
When should I buy food for a work camp?: Buy shelf-stable food up to 7 days beforehand if storage allows. Pick up chilled products on the day of use, or no more than 24 hours earlier if they can remain properly cooled.
How many cooking pots do I need for a work camp?: Use one large cooking pot for each hot dish that must be prepared at the same time, plus one spare pot for boiling water or backup. A menu with three simultaneous hot dishes therefore needs at least four pots.
What equipment should I bring for work camp lighting and power?: Count the powered workstations and add one extension cord or power solution per station, while checking the venue’s sockets first. Bring at least two battery lanterns for arrival, walkways or sleeping areas, even when the venue has fixed lighting.

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