Camping, Ecotourism & Special Events

“Ontario Parks has continually used your Design Shelter products for almost twenty years now.  Upon review of the data there has been approximately over 46,000 nights of use in the Yurts since they were first installed in the mid 1990’s. You and your team at Design Shelter continually make strides to improve the units. Ontario Parks would recommend you and your Design Shelter Inc. team as a supplier with a proven track record in our Provincial Parks.”

Bruce van Staalduinen, Manager Operations & Development Section, Ontario Parks

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS

Design Shelter has been a leader in the development of its MH series of shelters for specific applications within the public park or campground setting. In the mid-1990’s, Design Shelter worked closely with a Canadian Provincial Park authority to develop a new concept for “Alternative Roofed Accommodations”. The base H series shelter was modified to allow for Canadian Building Code requirements for overnight shelters that were to be rented to the public. Together with that client, the MH series of shelters was established and an initial handful of MH series shelters were deployed in that park. Quickly, park guests recognized the extraordinary value of this new concept and flocked to reserve this alternative roofed accommodation. Feedback was swift and extremely complimentary, and at this time there are more than 100 x MH series shelters throughout this same provincial park network. Payback on the initial investment in these shelters was rapid, and this alternative roofed accommodation has proven to be highly successful and profitable.

The same can be said for private campground owners. These very same MH series shelters offer private camp operators reliable and cost-effective overnight accommodation for campground guests. Many would-be campers do not get to enjoy the great outdoors due to the prohibitive cost of purchasing appropriate camping equipment. Tourists and non-traditional campers alike now have the opportunity to enjoy an incredible camping experience in a fully outfitted MH or MLH series shelter.

Thermally insulated versions are also popular for those individuals interested in a comfortable winter camping experience.

NATURE CAMPS AND ECO-TOURISM

One of the fastest growing market segments for Design Shelter is remote wilderness camps and eco-tourism. The world has many unspoiled natural environments and a growing number of tourists are being drawn to nature instead of more traditional urban vacation spots.

Our tour operator clients need to rely on a remote wilderness camp that is easy to transport, assembles quickly and is robust in any environmental condition. It is easy to see how remote wilderness tour operators gravitate to Design Shelter. Once camp is established, clients want to enjoy their natural setting in relative comfort. Design Shelter base camps deliver that level of quality, comfort and convenience that remote tour operators demand.

People are turning to eco-tourism operators around the world to experience a greater appreciation of our natural environment. According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Camps made up of multiple shelter models fill a need for comfortable and reliable shelter in remote locations while minimizing the environmental footprint left behind.

PERSONAL USES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Design Shelter is often contacted by individual consumers who would like to use our shelters for various personal applications. Client requests range from personal camping tents to temporary cottages on privately owned land (as a portable structure, building permits are not required – check your local bylaws).

Other applications have included backyard covers for hot tubs, mechanical shops for small vehicles, ice fishing huts, hunting camps and backyard art studios, to name a few.

Both the MH and MLH series shelters offer ergonomic covered spaces with ample unencumbered floor space and are used for small backyard celebrations, to larger corporate events. The shelters are ideal for small business marketing booths and as stands for selling goods at fairs or open air markets.

Your unique application for the MH or MLH series shelters are encouraged, and we will be pleased to work with you on a specific design that best meets your needs.