Urban Camping

Hello all,

the beginning of the school semester has past and things have quieted down just enough to pose a question.

There is an activity i think would be great for survival practice. i dont really remember too much about it as i read it over a year ago. Urban camping. At least i think that is what it is called. some one or one's go camping in an abandoned city, town, building, etc. i would like to know if anyone does this and if so if they have some words of advice for those of use who would like to start getting into this.

Lots of dangers here....but more of the two-legged variety, than anything else.

Some hazards include:

Street gangs
Homeless folks
Drug addicts
Prostitutes (and their Pimps)
Police (could get charged for a number of crimes including vagrancy, breaking and entering, trespassing, etc.)
Disease and Sanitation

If you do try this, make sure you don't have any outward display of anything even remotely valuable...but I wouldn't recommend this "sport"....

Besides, in most SHTF scenarios, you'll likely want to be AWAY from any large Urban centers.

reply to post by knowonder


I've got a spare bedroom without a carpet and half ripped wallpaper hanging down the walls, if I turn off the Electricity I could rent it out to "Urban Campers" ?

With a little imagination you could get the ultimate DIY Urban Camping experience

Just turn off your Electricity

reply to post by knowonder


I think the dangers would probaly make it more of an exciting trip. I think you'd probaly start out with you and your freinds. Then end up with four homeless guys glad of the company telling you there street storys.

You may even learn something from a trip like that. Not everyones out to murder people.

There is actually a website devoted to urban camping. Check it out Urban Camping: The Basics

Whether your Urban Camping for one night or for a year, some degree of planning is required. Consider the items: Health, Safety and Logistics.

The New York Times did an article which tells of a free camping experience offered by the Urban Park Rangers. The Weekend Miser: Urban Camping

I mean camping in places that are completely abandoned. well as far as you can tell.. for example a few friends of my camped out at Maryland's hell house before it was demolished. the did it during for Halloween but the concept is the same. not in a major city but towns or something. and i have to agree a lot of people aren't out to kill anyone and a knew a lot of homeless (being from the dc area) and alot of them,while a little protective, are very normal people who choose to live like that or are just on hard times.

reply to post by knowonder


Right, and those kinds of places make the ideal hangout for criminals and gang members. That's all I'm saying, is to be careful...maybe observe your desired place for a bit prior to staying the night.

Sure, not everyone is out to murder people, but you also should at least consider the danger rather than ignoring it. I'd just hate to see an adventure become a tragedy.

Just talk to some original squatters, they can help you.

Dangerous or not. If someone sees you in an abandoned house they will probably think you are:

homeless
a prostitute or a pimp
a gang member
a drug addict

etc.

Thinking about it represent it worse then it is.

It is the same as finding a new place to live, just check the neighbourghood etc, you can be murdered anywhere even in your home when you paid your rent. But you can have fun at both places too.

Enjoy your experience.

reply to post by Dumbass


I intend to doing this in the spring and when i do i will write about it and share my experience. as i definitely want to be safe me and my two brothers are going.

I have been homeless before, and now help out with a homeless shelter. You'd have very little to fear from the street population themselves. Most of them are addicted, despondent, and docile. Most have crisis health needs--you need to be in good shape to jump someone. They cling together in small groups to defend against the occasional bullies. It's sort of like prison: ad hoc groups that cluster for self-defense against a few aggressors and their lieutenants.

You have a lot more to watch out for, from A) drunken partiers who like to beat up the homeless, B) landlords who shoot to kill, C) Cops and private security who are sent as henchmen for property owners, D)rarely, people who are running scams where you locate, i.e., dealing drugs, manufacturing drugs, or dumping "evidence". (Most bodies and drug dumps are actually found by vagrants. Police rarely patrol those areas, since it means danger and paperwork for them.)