What to buy for a youth camping weekend

A youth camping weekend needs more than tents and sleeping bags. You need enough four-person tents, sleeping equipment, reusable tableware, cooking gear and chilled storage for the whole group, plus a reserve for problems. Plan the shopping around the number of participants and staff, then check dietary requirements before buying food. Pack power banks, lighting and a reserve tent before departure; these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace at a campsite.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Picnic benchesqty 4
Party tentsqty 2
Check-in desk

Camping

Tents for four peopleqty 9
Reserve tent
Sleeping matsqty 36
Sleeping bagsqty 36
Cushionsqty 36
Ground tarpsqty 10
Herringqty 100
Hammerqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6

Kitchen

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Hot plateqty 2
Cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Water jugsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 4

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Frisbeesqty 4
Volleyball net
Volleyballqty 2
Tug of war rope
Game cardsqty 4
Board gamesqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Fire extinguisher
Whistlesqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 40
Markersqty 12
Whiteboard
Whiteboard markersqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up basinsqty 4
Spongesqty 8
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Toilet brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Pistolets - 48 pieces
- Croissants - 40 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Chocolate spread - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 4 packs
- Cheese - 5 kilo
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Ground beef - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian meatballs - 2 kilogram
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Hamburgers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Satay skewers - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 2 jars
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 8 packs
- Trash bags - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Paper tissues - 6 packs

Tips

Choose one four-person tent for every four campers, then add a reserve tent for a split seam, wet gear or an unexpected extra sleeper. Bring one sleeping mat and sleeping bag per person, plus a small cushion or pillow.
Pack reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for every participant and staff member, with at least 10% extra. Add serving spoons, cutting boards and knives separately; they are not covered by individual place settings.
Use enough coolers to keep perishable food and drinks chilled during transport and storage. Transport refrigerated food directly to the campsite, and prepare at least one water jug per serving point.
Match gas barbecues, gas cylinders, the hot plate and cooking pots to the menu before shopping. Check fuel levels at least one day before departure, because a missing cylinder can stop the camp kitchen completely.
Bring ground tarps, herring and a hammer for every tent area, and pack lighting, Bluetooth speakers and power banks before loading the transport. Keep the power banks together at the check-in desk so they can be found quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How many tents do I need for a youth camping weekend?: Plan one four-person tent for every four participants and staff members who need to sleep on site. Add one reserve tent for the full weekend, rather than waiting until a tent fails or someone arrives without suitable shelter.
How much reusable tableware should I buy for a youth camp?: Provide one plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per person, including staff, plus at least 10% extra. For 40 people, pack at least 44 of each item so replacements are available during the weekend.
How many sleeping bags and mats are needed?: Buy or bring one sleeping bag and one sleeping mat for every person sleeping at the campsite. Count leaders and overnight staff too, and check the final participant list at least 48 hours before departure.
When should I buy and pack food for a youth camping weekend?: Buy dry goods and non-perishables 2 to 3 days ahead, after checking registrations and dietary requirements. Purchase chilled food as close to departure as practical, transport it refrigerated, and confirm quantities the day before.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.