Gimme Shelter

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately,” Thoreau wrote.

You can say the same, if by “deliberately” you mean “on 400-thread count sheets,” when you camp with Shelter Co.

Recently launched by a husband-wife duo, Shelter’s a “pop-up lodging service” that provides fully furnished Euro-style camping tents plus aristocratic amenities — for groups who want all the adventure of roughing it, without any of the actually roughing it.

Here’s how it works: first, select where you’d like to camp — Shelter’s based in California, but they’ll travel anywhere — and how many tents you need. Each canvas tent comes decorously appointed with a two-person wood frame bed, fully carpeted floor, bedside tables, wool Pendelton blanket, and more.

Second, pick your amenities. Shelter coddles their campers with a truly Vanderbiltian array of luxurious trappings: from corps-style accoutrements (stocked libraries, custom flag polls), to communal gathering places (fire pits, outdoor movie theaters), to services like wine tastings, nature tours, and boat rentals.

Third, just show up. Shelter assembles and breaks down your camp.

Shelter also produces fully-catered events, like family reunions, company retreats, and weddings — if you wish to go to the woods, and deliberately get hitched.