# Camp Recipes & Budget

Part of the Cooking Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/cooking/guide/index.md)

*5. Camp Cooking*

> **5b.** Find or create recipes for the four meals, the snack, and the dessert you have planned. Adjust menu items in the recipes for the number to be served. Create a shopping list and budget to determine the per-person cost.

Cooking for a patrol is a different math problem than cooking for two. You need to scale recipes, buy in bulk where it makes sense, and figure out what each person owes. Good budgeting is a leadership skill — it builds trust and keeps things fair.

### Scaling Recipes for a Group

Most recipes serve 4–6 people. If you are cooking for 8, you will need to scale up. The math is the same as what you learned in [Req 4b](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/cooking/guide/req4b/), but with larger numbers:

1. Note the original serving size.
2. Divide your group size by the recipe's serving size to get the multiplier.
3. Multiply every ingredient by that number.

**Example:** A chili recipe serves 4. You need to serve 8.
- Multiplier: 8 ÷ 4 = 2
- If the recipe calls for 1 lb ground beef → you need 2 lbs
- If it calls for 2 cans of beans → you need 4 cans

> **Tip**
>
> When scaling up, round quantities to practical amounts. If your calculation says you need 1.3 pounds of chicken, buy 1.5 pounds — it is easier to buy and you will have a small buffer for varying appetites. Better to have a little extra than to leave someone hungry.

### Creating Your Shopping List

Combine all ingredient lists from your six items (4 meals + 1 snack + 1 dessert) into one master list. Then:

- **Consolidate duplicates.** If three recipes call for onions, add them up into one line item.
- **Check patrol supplies.** Your troop may already have staples like cooking oil, salt, pepper, and spices in the patrol box.
- **Note quantities carefully.** Write specific amounts (e.g., "3 lbs ground beef," "2 dozen eggs," "4 cans diced tomatoes").
- **Consider packaging.** Will you need zip-lock bags for repackaging? Cooler ice? Aluminum foil?

### Calculating Per-Person Cost

Camp cooking budgets teach financial responsibility. Here is how to calculate the per-person cost:

1. **Total up all ingredient costs** after shopping (save your receipt).
2. **Add any non-food costs** if applicable (charcoal, extra foil, ice for coolers).
3. **Divide the total by the number of people eating.**

| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ground beef (3 lbs) | $15.00 |
| Canned beans (4 cans) | $5.00 |
| Eggs (2 dozen) | $7.00 |
| Bread (2 loaves) | $6.00 |
| Cheese (1 lb) | $5.00 |
| Vegetables & fruit | $12.00 |
| Pancake mix & syrup | $8.00 |
| Dessert ingredients | $6.00 |
| Snack items | $4.00 |
| Charcoal & ice | $10.00 |
| **Total** | **$78.00** |
| **Per person (8 people)** | **$9.75** |

> **Did You Know?**
>
> Planning meals and cooking as a patrol is almost always cheaper than eating out or buying pre-made camp food. A well-planned patrol meal can cost as little as $3–5 per person per meal, compared to $10–15 at a restaurant. The skills you learn here save real money.

### Budget-Saving Strategies for Camp

- **Buy store brands** for staples like canned goods, rice, and pasta.
- **Buy in bulk** for items the whole group will share (bread, eggs, cheese).
- **Use what is in season** — seasonal produce is cheaper and tastes better.
- **Avoid waste** by planning recipes that share ingredients (if you buy a head of lettuce for sandwiches, use it in the dinner salad too).
- **Check the patrol box** — your troop may provide basics like oil, condiments, and spices.

![Scouts sitting around a picnic table with grocery receipts, a calculator, and a notebook, working out the per-person cost for their camp cooking trip](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/cooking/guide/camp-budget-planning?v=41480562)

[MyPlate Tools](https://www.myplate.gov/resources/tools): USDA tools for recipe scaling and meal planning to help you adjust quantities for your patrol size.

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- Previous: [Camp Menu Planning](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/cooking/guide/req5a/index.md)
- Next: [Share Camp Plan](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/cooking/guide/req5c/index.md)