What to Buy and Bring for a Youth Camp

A youth camp needs more than tents and sleeping bags. You will also need cooking equipment, reusable tableware, coolers, furniture, sports gear and materials for evening games. Plan quantities around the number of participants, supervisors and camp days, and check dietary requirements before buying food. Pack equipment by use so cooking, registration and tent setup can start without unpacking everything at once.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Benchesqty 8
Chairsqty 12
Party tentqty 2

Camping

Camping tentsqty 8
Sleeping matsqty 36
Sleeping bagsqty 36
Cushionsqty 36
Ground tarpsqty 8
Herringqty 80
Guy ropesqty 16

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 45
Platesqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 45
Pouring jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Gas burnersqty 2
Cooking potsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef and serving tongsqty 6
Knivesqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Volleyballqty 2
Tug of war rope
Conesqty 30
Relay batonsqty 12
Frisbeesqty 6

Game materials

Flashlightsqty 12
Game cardsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Safety

First aid kit
Reflective vestsqty 8
Fire extinguisher
Waterproof document folder

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Hand broomsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Mopqty 2

Communication

Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 4

Groceries

Groceries
- Pistolets - 45 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Eggs - 45 pieces
- Sausages - 40 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 45 pieces
- Hamburgers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Raw vegetables - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted popcorn - 5 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 35 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Water - 60 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Squash - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemon tea - 1 box
- Dishwashing liquid - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Gas for cooking equipment - 4 gas cylinders

Tips

Count one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per person, plus at least 10% extra for loss or late washing. Pack pouring jugs separately so drinks can be served during registration and meals.
Allow one sleeping mat and sleeping bag for every camper and supervisor using a tent. Add ground tarps, tent pegs and guy ropes to the load list; these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace at the campsite.
Use at least one cooler for drinks and another for perishable food when the group is large. Chill drinks before departure and bring enough cooking pots, cutting boards, knives and serving tongs for the planned meals.
Match sports equipment to the games in the programme: footballs, a volleyball, cones, relay batons, frisbees and a tug-of-war rope should be checked and packed before loading tents and luggage.
Pack flashlights and game cards in a clearly labelled activity box. Keep the box accessible during arrival, because evening games often begin before the main luggage has been taken to the tents.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to bring to a youth camp?: Bring camping tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, ground tarps, tent pegs and guy ropes, along with cooking equipment, coolers, reusable tableware and activity materials. Plan one sleeping setup and one place setting per person, plus about 10% spare tableware.
How many cups and plates do I need for youth camp?: Start with one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per participant and supervisor. Add at least 10% extra, so a group of 40 people needs 44 place settings.
How far in advance should I buy supplies for a youth camp?: Buy or reserve tents, furniture, gas burners and sports equipment at least 2 to 4 weeks before departure. Buy perishable food and chill drinks as close to the start as practical, after checking registrations and dietary requirements.
What cooking equipment is needed for a youth camp?: Plan gas burners, cooking pots, coolers, cutting boards, knives, chef and serving tongs, thermos flasks and pouring jugs. For every meal, allow enough pot and serving capacity for the full group rather than relying on one small pan.

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