International Burner Package

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:00 pm

Ok, so a while ago, a thread was posted, regarding a Disaster Relief kit. It was a crate, complete with tent, cooking stuff, etc...like these

http://www.shelterbox.org/news.php?id=497

After reading about difficulties that overseas burners expressed, as to gathering gear, I decided to put a few of these kits together, for International burners to use during the event. It certainly isn't radical self reliance, but its not an RV either....and work is required setting up these camp-in-a-box's. The kit would be returned, after the event, and reconditioned for next year, or donated to Red Cross or something..

Each crate...or cooler, haven't decided yet.. will contain:
1 tent
1 air mattress
1 sleeping bag or sheets/blanket
2 travel pillows
1 pot
1 pan
2 sets of flatware
2 plates, 2 cups with lids
1 bucket
1 flashlight
1 camp stove
Set of playa worthy stakes
Rope
Camo netting
Possibly 2 8' wood posts
And basic tools.

Still working on details, and I won't earn one penny from this project. I'm unemployed, and need something to do. Have already received donations from complete strangers..emptying out their garages.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:29 pm

Just curious, but how would you transport these kits to BM and where would they be picked up from?

Great and very generous idea, by the way..

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:43 pm

We have a very large truck lined up, with plenty of space available. Pick up would either be pre playa...I'm just off I-80....or on playa at BloodBath&Beyond.

Cheyenne · Post by **Cheyenne** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:13 pm

That is an absolutely awesome idea...

The logistical nightmare that is the preparation for ANY event overseas where camping and 'self reliance' equipment is needed can run into huge costs!!

We are lucky that we have found an RV company that is both cheap and will provide ALL the necessities for a reasonable price. Many people that do go to events such as this from overseas are on a budget too...

I find, that every time I go abroad... no matter where it is, even if it is supposed to be cheap in the grand scheme of exchange rates etc- I always seem to spend in total about Â£1500 ... A lot of money to be saving!!

Maybe a project like this would make the burn accessible for more overseas people.

Well done!

C

Minxy · Post by **Minxy** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:28 pm

What a cool idea!

I bet my bf and I have some great stuff to donate to the cause since he said he has tons of extra camping gear.

AND...you're right around the corner! I'm about 8-10 min from Benicia.

I'll have him help me look when he's not working 16 hour days and maybe we can help out.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:12 pm

That would be awesome! While eplaya decided to take the week off, I've found some pretty good deals on camp stuff as well.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:23 pm

I think I could do a purge of my gear, too many pots and pans, air mattress I dont' use, etc. I'll look into it.

drucake · Post by **drucake** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:56 pm

great idea!!!! :D

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:05 pm

Great idea.

JK

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:16 pm

Bravo, TS........I'll help, with what I can.

maryanimal · Post by **maryanimal** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:40 pm

That IS an excellent idea! I wish I lived closer. I'd love to help too!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:55 pm

I thought the International Burner Hostel was a great idea...and I'm sad to see them gone. At least this would help out those going solo, or not with a camp.

Post by **Eric** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:45 pm

The only things I would add would be 2 flashlights per kit (they look like they're designed for 2 people) and some cheap LED blinkies. For about $10 you can add 6-8 little LED with spare batteries to each kit. Hell, let me know how many kits you're making and I'll supply the LED sets. I'm also one of the Great Unemployed, but there's no reason I can't budget these in to have them for you by next summer a month or so before the event.

LoveLight · Post by **LoveLight** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:26 am

Tom..I love your idea..

I may be needing a crate/box...and what ever I buy in US for the Burn I will be sure to donate it to your crates when I leave...

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:14 am

We can donate something, although we tend to hang onto our spare tents to lend ourselves. I'll ask myLarry what we have. Used to be sleeping bags, but we gave a dozen to the homeless shelter. Truckers throw out a lot of bedding when they quit, so some years we get quite a few. Delivery on playa work for you if we get any?

And I think we have a bunch of those free HF flashights.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:52 pm

AntiM wrote:We can donate something, although we tend to hang onto our spare tents to lend ourselves. I'll ask myLarry what we have. Used to be sleeping bags, but we gave a dozen to the homeless shelter. Truckers throw out a lot of bedding when they quit, so some years we get quite a few. Delivery on playa work for you if we get any?

And I think we have a bunch of those free HF flashights.

Yeah, that would be cool!

We plan on early arrival, so anyone who's made an arrangement to pick up, should probably do so on playa. Or if its more convenient, Ill put my upstairs neighbor to work.

Post by **Sham** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:16 am

I found a package of 10 flashlights at Home Depot for $10. The lights are 5 LED type, very bright, very reliable, and AAA batteries ARE included. That's buck a flashlight!

Also, every big box chain has the strings of 20 LED battery powered Christmas lights--perfect for keeping darkwads lit up. Prices vary, but they are around $5-$7 each. They usually have left overs that are clearanced out on December 26th.

Brown · Post by **Brown** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:17 pm

Mate this will be such a load of the shoulders for alot of us nomads.
I will be traveling on a bike so to be able to pick up a crate of goodies like that on the playa would just save my ass so bad! Best of luck and ill be watching this space

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:52 pm

Brown wrote:Mate this will be such a load of the shoulders for alot of us nomads.
I will be traveling on a bike so to be able to pick up a crate of goodies like that on the playa would just save my ass so bad! Best of luck and ill be watching this space

Well, keep watching. Think about your final haul up 447! Its not a bike friendly stretch.

pizzamancer · Post by **pizzamancer** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:28 pm

This is an awesome idea. Most of the Burners I know who fly in from Japan (like me) buy stuff and just throw it away. I would much rather see someone show up with a nice bottle of scotch to share than to waste resources on stuff they will only use during the burn and then trash.

I borrowed a bike from Elliot two years in a row now, and it is an awesome playa gift.

Thanks again Elliot.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:02 pm

This sounded awesome. Is there gonna be anything like it for this year? Coming from Australia is expensive enough as it is

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:31 pm

Yeah, Im gonna put em together, as needed.

graidawg · Post by **graidawg** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 5:48 am

TomServo wrote:Ok, so a while ago, a thread was posted, regarding a Disaster Relief kit. It was a crate, complete with tent, cooking stuff, etc...like these

http://www.shelterbox.org/news.php?id=497

After reading about difficulties that overseas burners expressed, as to gathering gear, I decided to put a few of these kits together, for International burners to use during the event. It certainly isn't radical self reliance, but its not an RV either....and work is required setting up these camp-in-a-box's. The kit would be returned, after the event, and reconditioned for next year, or donated to Red Cross or something..

Each crate...or cooler, haven't decided yet.. will contain:
1 tent
1 air mattress
1 sleeping bag or sheets/blanket
2 travel pillows
1 pot
1 pan
2 sets of flatware
2 plates, 2 cups with lids
1 bucket
1 flashlight
1 camp stove
Set of playa worthy stakes
Rope
Camo netting
Possibly 2 8' wood posts
And basic tools.

Still working on details, and I won't earn one penny from this project. I'm unemployed, and need something to do. Have already received donations from complete strangers..emptying out their garages.

did they know you where emtying them at the time?

sorry couldn't resist something like tihs would be fantastic and would make life so much easier, more room for booze and trinkets on the plane, so i would seriously love this.

even though i already feel less burny just for reading this post

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:22 am

It would be better to give them choices on how to set up their camp rather that forcing them into a rubber stamp situation. Geez, BRC camps look enough alike as it is.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:46 am

Ugly Dougly wrote:It would be better to give them choices on how to set up their camp rather that forcing them into a rubber stamp situation. Geez, BRC camps look enough alike as it is.

Whats wrong with rubber stamps? If it can fit into one crate...fine!

Post by **Elderberry** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:58 am

Is this going to be gifted? Or will there be a fee for the setups?

If it's going to be gifted, no choice is necessary. Esthetics shouldn't enter into the equation from the person receiving a gift.

Oh, the tent you are gifting me isn't the right color, can you please go out and get me a red one?

Even if it's being done for a fee, I doubt exactly what's in the kit should be too customizable. It would make shopping harder, harder to find discounts, etc. Just like ordering those survival kits for earthquakes, they come with what they come with, take it or leave it.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:16 am

It will be gifted/loaned. Preferably returned to my camp, before they leave.

Felt, that in the absence of the International Burners Hostel, there should be some sort of assistance for our neighbors across the ponds.

Dropman · Post by **Dropman** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:06 am

TomServo wrote:It will be gifted/loaned. Preferably returned to my camp, before they leave.

Felt, that in the absence of the International Burners Hostel, there should be some sort of assistance for our neighbors across the ponds.

Absolutly a great idea and I hope it all works out.

But for me it is also a bit of a challenge (as a BM virgin) to get to BM on my own (from NL) with all the stuff I require (tent, sl bags, etc), buy food and water locally and get to BRC on my own. Then perhaps hook up to a camp.
Just my self reliance kick, I guess

But again: great job TomServo!

Dropman

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:51 am

Dropman wrote:
TomServo wrote:It will be gifted/loaned. Preferably returned to my camp, before they leave.

Felt, that in the absence of the International Burners Hostel, there should be some sort of assistance for our neighbors across the ponds.
Absolutly a great idea and I hope it all works out.

But for me it is also a bit of a challenge (as a BM virgin) to get to BM on my own (from NL) with all the stuff I require (tent, sl bags, etc), buy food and water locally and get to BRC on my own. Then perhaps hook up to a camp.
Just my self reliance kick, I guess

But again: great job TomServo!

Dropman

Thank you... Getting here with all that gear is no doubt a pain in the ass. Alot of gear will be bought in Reno, or the Bay Area, and discarded afterwards...these kits can be used..then reused. Food, water, paper towels, etc... are their responsibility. Finding a theme camp is also up to them.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:23 pm

If they need a theme camp.

To what extend, if any, do you want to "harvest" the discards of long distance burners?

International Burner Package

International Burner Package

Re: International Burner Package