Shelter Box

Please visit the Shelter Box Web Site for more informartion

Please contact Rich Comins at recomins@frontiernet.net or Chuck Mertz

at cmertz@enviro-care.net if you would like to have a one them present a program.

ShelterBoxes are sponsored by service clubs, (Rotary Clubs), school and church groups, businesses and individuals, etc. Materials are ordered from a range of suppliers selected for general use, long-life, quality and price. ShelterBoxes are prepared and packed using all new materials as delivered from manufacturers, at the ShelterBox warehouse based in Helston, Cornwall. The standard ShelterBox weighs 110 lbs. and has approximate dimensions 33" x 24" x 24". They are sealed and banded for transit and security and are made up of the items listed below:

One 49 gallon box (The ShelterBox) initially the container for delivery of the materials listed below. Once delivered, can be used as water tank, food store, cot, table, etc

One three-compartment, ten-person, domed-tent complete (200 square feet of covered accommodation), comprising inner tent, outer fly-sheet and repair kit.

Ten envelope-type sleeping bags.

One pack of 180 water purification tablets and one 5 gallon flat-pack water container
(Each tablet will purify a full container of water providing 1,800 gallons of clean drinking water which should be sufficient for a family of ten for up to three months).

Two 2.1 gallon, collapsible, plastic water carriers.

Two sets of basic cooking/eating utensils (pots, pans, plates, cups, etc)

One trenching shovel

One package of three flashlights/batteries and additional set of spare batteries

Rope, 164 foot

Ten PVC Ponchos/ ten HD plastic bags

Tool kit in canvas bag: hachet, jack-knife, screwdriver, hammer, etc.

Multi-fueled cook stove

The contents are under continuous review. For example, due to its fragility, use of a wind-up torch was discontinued in June 2003; and replaced with water containers, different torches and batteries, a knife and a large cooking pot. A small stock of wind-up radios (short-wave and FM) has been obtained to substitute a sleeping bag in every tenth box should such a requirement arise.

For shipping purposes, a large container (40 feet) can accommodate up to 240 ShelterBoxes, smaller containers would typically be half the size and quantities.

Plans are in development for site-specific Box contents to address varying climate conditions. For example, a tropical disaster site would require sleeping mats and mosquito netting instead of sleeping bags.