This page was last modified on Monday, January 12, 2009 06:59:59 PM
May 2008
Survival in the New Millenium
In March of 2008, I did the first program with survivalism as the topic on the Dawn of Shades. A lot of people reallyquestioned how appropriate the topic was for this program, since its normal theme is always something paranormal. To these people, I have a few things to point out.
A common theme in many predictions and prophecies, no matter what or who the source is, focuses on various kinds of disasters and adverse situations. Our current world is filled with all sorts of things, from weather to geology to warfare, that result in difficult situations for people to survive in. The focus of the guest, as well as the program on survivalism, is not advocating huge stockpiles in some remote fortified location, but rather a state of preparedness to handle adversity. This is primarily not the equipment at hand so much as the mindset, the mental preparation, and the knowledge that a person has.
Skills and knowledge are best honed with practice, which means getting out and using them. This leads to a favorite pastime of my own: Camping. Camping takes you away from the comfort and security of your home and puts you in nature, with just the equipment you have and the things that are available in the environment during that season of the year. Camping is a great family activity, and with children, there are a myriad of fun lessons to be had about everything from botony world gradually. I should have taken him to bear and had him cook a pot of beef stew in his tent, but we live and learn, right?)
When I resumed camping, 15-20 years ago, as an adult, I didn't have a lot of equipment or money for it. It does not have to be an expensive undertaking, and if you aren't going to be doing a lot of it, I definitely don't recommend breaking the bank buyto zoology, it just takes a bit of creativity and ingenuity to find both the fun and the lesson. Its also a favorite way of mine to gauge friends' reaction to nature, especially when its new to them! Being single and dating always means "kissing a lot of frogs" along the way, but camping will definitely help you weed the frogs from the wartiest toads too! I have been greatly amused (after the trip was over) by memories of how someone reacted to the unfamiliar sound of coyotes calling in the distance, (He woke me up with the announcement that we were being surrounded, which caused great alarm and concern for a few moments while I achieved full wakefullness enough to realize that the "danger" was merely a pair of coyotes several miles away. Being "surrounded" while camping in a state park is a very concerning event! I had chosen the state park in an attempt to break him into the camping ing top of the line equipment.
Go to the library and research what you can about camping. Equipment can be minimal, a small dome tent can be had at any discount store for under $40 that is suitable for up to 2 people. Get your spouse and children involved, choose a state campground nearby for the first "adventure." They are easy camping, having features such as toilets and showers usually, as well as programs about the park being arranged by the rangers. They are relatively "safe" as well, with the rangers' presence. If you are single, recruit a friend to share the adventure with you, there are a lot of people who want to try it, but are afraid to do so on their own.
The primary needs are always food, shelter, and water. Summer camping means you are not battling the cold, which is a formidable adversary in a tent at times. An inexpensive tent can sometimes be borrowed from friends, found at a flea market or yard sale, or purchased from a discount store such as Walmart or KMart. For cooking, keep it simple. There are a variety of stoves available at a variety of prices. My first stove was a Sterno stove, which uses a can of jellied alcohol, just like a chafing dish does. Its not fast, and I'd sure not want to get too excited about cooking much over it, but it will heat water or a can of soup. Most campgrounds also have grills, but check before planning on using one so that you don't have a nasty surprise at its absence. Today, most state campgrounds also offer reservations, some as much as two years in advance. Make reservations! Its awful to plan a trip, arrive there all prepared, only to discover that there are no vacancies. For sleeping, you do NOT have to have a sleeping bag to go camping. I didn't buy a sleeping bag for years, and I happen to hate using one--it makes me feel confined and I am prone to waking up with nightmares about my feet being caught in various horrible situations. Make a bedroll, you will want something to pad you and keep you from being chilled by damp, cold ground. An old folded quilt will work. You will then want something to cover with, appropriate for the worst temperatures possible. In summer, I normally carry a sheet (it can be hot) and a light blanket. Don't forget your pillow! (If you do, a folded jacket can substitute though.) There is your inexpensive bedroll, and you can roll it up nice and neat, fastening it with an old belt to keep it rolled, and stuff it into a garbage bag to protect it.
Get out and enjoy yourself, do some research about your area's geology, climate, flora and fauna and then do the touch and smell routine in it. Get to know the area around you and what else is out there. Most of all, have fun doing it, make it a grand adventure, not an exercise in austerity and misery