Youth camp shopping list: what to buy and bring

A youth camp shopping list has to cover meals, drinks, activities and the practical setup around them. Plan food by participant and supervisor, then add supplies for dietary requirements, packed lunches, fruit and snacks. Reusable tableware, coolers, water containers and cooking equipment are easy to overlook until the day starts. Check the forecast before shopping so you know whether you also need shelter, extra drinks or weather protection.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Water jerry cansqty 4
Hot platesqty 2
Large potsqty 3
Food warmersqty 3

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 6
Basketballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 3
Conesqty 30
Vestsqty 36
Skipping ropesqty 8
Relay batonsqty 8
Tug of war rope
Exercise matsqty 6
Stopwatchqty 3
Whistlesqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 50
Name badgesqty 40
Markersqty 12
Tapeqty 6
Ropeqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 8
Dish brushesqty 4
Trash bins with lidsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Hand sanitizer holdersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Wholemeal buns - 40 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young matured cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Bouillon cubes - 1 box
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multivitamin juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Hot chocolate - 3 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan at least 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full camp day, then add more for hot weather or strenuous sports. Fill water jerry cans and coolers before participants arrive.
For a sports-heavy day, prepare 2 to 3 snack portions per person, such as fruit or other portable food. Portion them before the programme starts so supervisors are not serving food during activities.
Pack one complete lunch per participant and supervisor, including a drink and any required dietary alternative. Label special meals before placing them in the coolers.
Count tableware for every registered person and add at least 10% extra plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. The spare set covers dropped items and unexpected helpers without interrupting the meal.
Check sports and cooking equipment at least 2 days before the camp. Test extension cords, power strips, hot plates and the Bluetooth speaker, and separate anything that is missing or damaged.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a youth camp?: Allow at least 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full day. Add 0.5 to 1 litre per person when the weather is hot or the programme includes intensive sports.
How many snacks should I buy for a youth camp?: Plan 2 to 3 snack portions per person for a full camp day, plus around 10% extra. Buy or collect fresh produce close to the event, ideally no more than 1 to 2 days beforehand.
When should I prepare youth camp lunch packs?: Prepare lunch packs on the morning of the camp, or the evening before if all food can be kept safely chilled. Store them in coolers and label dietary alternatives before departure.
How many plates and cups do I need for a youth camp?: Count one complete place setting per participant and supervisor, then add 10% spare tableware. For 50 people, that means 55 reusable plates, bowls, cups and sets of cutlery.

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