Catering for School Camps: What Parents Need to Know
A Practical Guide to Feeding Hungry Kids at Camp
School camps are one of the great Kiwi childhood experiences — muddy shoes, adventure-filled days, late-night giggles, and that feeling of independence that kids remember for years. But while the children are busy making memories, adults are often busy with something far less glamorous: figuring out how to feed dozens of hungry students safely, affordably, and efficiently.
If you’re a parent volunteer, teacher, or school administrator, catering can quickly become the most stressful part of camp planning. There are dietary needs to consider, limited kitchen facilities, tight budgets, and the simple reality that kids burn energy fast. That’s exactly why more schools have shifted to school camp meals NZ families trust — bulk frozen meals that are kid-friendly, nutritious, and easy to prepare.
This guide walks parents through exactly what they need to know to make school camp catering smoother, safer, and far less stressful.
Why Camp Food Matters More Than You Think
Children on camp aren’t just away from home — they’re active all day. Between tramping, swimming, long walks, team challenges, and outdoor play, they burn through calories faster than they do at school.
This means meals must be:
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High-energy
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Balanced
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Nutrient-dense
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Kid-approved
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Easy to serve in bulk
For many years, the default was for parents to cook everything fresh. But with modern freezing and bulk meal preparation, camps can now serve consistent, safe, and wholesome food without the chaos of cooking from scratch on-site.
Why Frozen Bulk Meals Are Ideal for School Camps
Here’s the truth: camps aren’t restaurants. Most don’t have fully equipped kitchens or trained cooks, and even when facilities exist, they’re often shared with dozens of kids and volunteers. Frozen meals solve almost every challenge at once.
1. They’re easy for volunteers to heat and serve
Just pop the trays in the oven. No chopping, no mixing, no boiling massive pots, no scrambling for ingredients.
2. They minimise food waste
Every tray is pre-portioned. You only heat what you need.
3. They’re cost-effective
Bulk frozen trays are far cheaper than buying fresh ingredients for large groups — especially with food prices rising.
4. They suit limited storage
Frozen meals stack efficiently in chilly bins, chest freezers, or camp freezers. They also travel safely.
5. They help with dietary needs
Because everything is labelled clearly, schools can easily organise:
This makes pre-made meals one of the safest choices for feeding mixed groups of kids.
What Meals Work Best for Kids on Camp?
Children are adventurous during the day — but not always with food. For camp, the best meals are familiar, filling, and mild in flavour.
Some top-performing school meal trays include:
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Macaroni & Cheese (always a winner)
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Mild Butter Chicken & Rice
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Meatloaf & Gratin
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Chicken Teriyaki & Rice
These meals:
✔ Heat evenly
✔ Keep kids full for hours
✔ Are easy to portion
✔ Don’t require special equipment
✔ Have flavours most kids enjoy
With kids, familiarity is key — especially when they’re tired from a big day.
A Simple 2–4 Day Camp Meal Plan
If you’re planning meals and don’t know where to start, here’s a proven structure that works for most NZ school camps.
Day 1 (Arrival Day)
Kids are excited, distracted, and often exhausted from travel. Keep dinner simple.
Menu idea:
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Chicken Teriyaki and Rice with Rainbow Veges
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Mac n Cheese
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Smokey Ham Mac & Cheese
Day 2 (High-Energy Day)
This is usually the busiest day, so give them a hearty dinner.
Menu idea:
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Tender Chicken Saag & Rice
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Creamy Butter Chicken & Rice
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Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder & Mash
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Classic Bangers and Mash
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Homestyle Beef Meatloaf & Cheesy Gratin
Day 3 (Comfort-Food Night)
Kids are often a bit homesick by now. Familiar meals help.
Menu idea:
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Classic Beef Lasagne
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Country Chicken, Leek & Tarragon Pie
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Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs
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Smokey Ham Mac & Cheese (always a favourite)
Day 4 (Departure Lunch)
Keep cleanup minimal.
Menu idea:
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Mexican Chicken & Bean Enchiladas
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Chicken Teriyaki and Rice
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Coconut & Vegetable Lentil Curry (great vegetarian option)
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Leftover reheat-friendly trays like lasagne, pies, or mash-based dishes
Using frozen trays makes this schedule incredibly easy to execute.
What Parents Should Expect to Contribute
Depending on your school, parents may be asked to help in three ways:
1. Providing snacks or backup food
Fruit, muesli bars, baking, sandwich supplies.
2. Volunteering in the kitchen
Reheating meals, supervising serving lines, and organising clean-up.
3. Contributing to the catering budget
Bulk frozen meals help keep the cost per child very affordable, making it easier for schools to fund high-quality meals.
Transporting Frozen Camp Meals
One of the biggest strengths of frozen meal trays is how well they travel.
To keep meals safe:
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Use chilly bins lined with ice packs
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Place meals tightly together
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Keep bins closed as much as possible
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Move meals to the freezer on arrival
Because frozen meals are sealed, clean, and stackable, transport is much easier than moving raw ingredients.
How Schools Can Choose the Right Supplier
Not all frozen meals are the same. Look for a supplier that offers:
✔ NZ-made meals
✔ Clear allergen labelling
✔ Commercial kitchen certification
✔ Bulk tray sizes for groups
✔ Kid-friendly flavours
✔ Nationwide delivery
✔ Meals that heat evenly in simple ovens
Delicious & Done provides all of these — our trays are designed specifically for busy families, schools, and group catering.
To explore options for your next school camp, visit our Menu Page or check our School Catering page for bulk ordering details.
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