When prepping for a SHTF scenario, there are two groups of people: those who believe that the best way to survive is the live independently, every man for himself, and those who believe that there is safety in numbers.
We’ve discussed the value of working together to prepare for disaster, but finding like-minded people isn’t as easy as it may seem. How do you find fellow preppers without fear of being rejected for your beliefs?
Put Out Feelers
Unfortunately, bringing up the topic of prepping to your neighbors may earn you a look of disbelief, but there are ways to go about it without making them think that you’ve lost your mind. Start by approaching the subject carefully. While shooting the breeze at the mailbox or chatting it up at a ballgame, introduce the topic gently.
Start by saying something along the lines of, “Boy, times sure are tough, aren’t they?” or “Wow, we really are dependent upon technology, aren’t we?” You’re sure to get a nod of approval at this point. If so, be encouraged. Follow up with something along the lines of, “Have you ever thought about what would happen if something catastrophic really did happen?”
Their answer at this point will give you a general idea of what they think. If they seem to be concerned, then you’ve found an opening. If not, then you haven’t revealed anything about yourself and you know that they aren’t of the same mindset that we are. No harm, no foul.
Start or Join a Local Blog
As preppers, we tend to read blogs about prepping, and we search for other local people who are interested as well.
Start a local blog about it or join one if one is already in existence. It’s not hard to do and doesn’t even cost anything other than some time. If you’re not savvy about how to do this
, look for local blogs that people have already created.
An online forum is a great way to gather people together; after all, we’re all reading this one!
A quick search with the terms, “ways to find local preppers” will bring up a list of sites that organize things by location and you can either find your area or start a new group within the site.
Meetup.com is also a good way to go. Just use “prepping” as your group topic in the search.
Feel Out Local Clubs
Many of us have common interests such as canning, hunting, shooting, couponing, or living off the grid.
Finding local groups with these interests is a great way to get your foot in the door and meet people who may also be into prepping for when SHTF. You’ll be surprised how many of us are out there if you just start scanning community clubs. Your local extension office, gun clubs, and military surplus stores are all great places to find these groups.
Don’t jump right in and ask about prepping if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Meet people, get a feel for them and get to know them. If the subject comes up, fantastic! If it doesn’t, you’re still making friends and getting to know the people in your local community.
Chances are good, though, that you will most certainly run into fellow preppers in these clubs. Even if you don’t, being an active member of the community is still a good thing if SHTF because you’ll know your neighbors!
Be Patient
This is probably the hardest part, because we all feel the ticking of the clock.
However, rushing into the topic of prepping with everybody that you meet will most likely earn you a lot of weird stares. Instead, take it easy. Get to know your neighbors and get a feel for who’s into prepping and who isn’t.
Even if you meet people who are worried but haven’t started prepping yet, broaching the subject gradually and logically is the best way to go. Putting yourself out there as an everyday Joe (or Jane) who is smartly preparing for all eventualities is much better than being seen as the weird hoarding neighbor, especially if you’re looking for people to form a group.
Finding other preppers isn’t always easy, but rest assured that they’re out there. After all, the reality shows, couponing, and prepping websites wouldn’t be so popular if there wasn’t a lively interest in the lifestyle!
Just keep your feelers out, keep prepping, and work on your plan until you find them.
This article has been written by Theresa Crouse for Survivopedia.
eastofaustin | January 27, 2014
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One of the safest topics is backyard vegetable gardening. What could be a safer topic? But who is focused on living out of their backyard? HAM radio is another. Talk about how the HAMs saved the world in the movie “Independence Day”. That leads to “what dangers does the world face?” Join the Libertarian Party. We are a bunch of independent cusses. Check out CERT in your area. They are local preparedness sponsored by local government. The danger is that they are tied in with FEMA, but some of them are preppers and they are acting with semi official authority in terms of helping communities prepare to take care of themselves. It’s really the old Civil Defense.
Bend over for more | January 28, 2014
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After viewing some videos of what they did in New Orleans, I will have no affiliation with FEMA or any other government organization. AND I will be doing my best to hide from any US military units working the area.
To the Right of ATTila the Hun | January 29, 2014
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Hey there ‘Bend Over’,
These folks that you mention are not our friends… The POUS is setting up the Civilian Army just like he said he would do and they for the most part will not take the Oath to protect and defend the Constitution. They will however, be held ‘Morally Accountable’ by us…. These people should give some thought as to who employs them and make a Morally correct choice or pay the consequences for their foolish actions. ‘I was Just following Orders’ will not cut it when it comes to ‘Nut Cutting Time’.
squaredawayjarhead | January 30, 2014
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Quite honestly, I believe we are too close to TEOTWAWKI to be attempting to bring new people into your inner circle. John Wesley Rawles and others have mentioned this theme in his/their writings and interviews. Be VERY careful with regard to who you allow to know about your preparations. Discretion is extremely important at this stage. You don’t want your unprepared neighbors to remember that you were that person who “has a lot of food stored up” once the fecal matter has hit the fan and all of the unprepared masses are growing very hungry. A father watching his wife and children suffer through the stages of slow starvation will justify any level of violence to you and your family if he knows where you are and/or where your preps are stored. As some experts have warned, society is only 9 meals away from total chaos and unspeakable levels of violence. While I appreciate the intent of this article, I believe that we have passed the point of closing ranks. If your neighbors haven’t awoken from their comatose state by now, then nothing you say to them at this stage will work. Now is the time to keep your heads down and your powder dry. Be safe, fellow preppers.
popzi | April 10, 2014
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I havn’t heard it addressed yet so I now ask:
Say I have a garden full of food & have “prepared”. Say my “my neighbor did not prepare & he is starving. He has to feed his family….he is desperate & he comes & raids my garden. What do I do?
popzi
Bend over for more | April 14, 2014
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If you think like a liberal, you may want to help feed him and his family. However, you will undoubtably have 10 MORE neighbors that didn’t prepare. Are you willing to starve YOUR family to feed the multitudes. Not likely. The only thing you can do is feel bad for them, maybe pray for them, and then, forget them and take care of your own family. Sounds rough, but when the SHTF, it will be suvival of the most prepared.
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