Hi all, newbie here! Been interested in survival info for years. I'm 50 now and prepared to survive in place, ie, in a boat on a back water slough, private gated marina, but, my health is bad. In a disaster where I had to leave, I'd probably have to go to a refuge camp or Red Cross camp. I think one might pack differently for such a scenario. Maybe a kelly kettle to boil water. (Been wondering how to homemake one.) I've heard foreign refugees like dried gravy packets to improve the taste of the horrible food they get. Got garlick? One thing I'm considering is a can of snuf for trading.

I have never seen a or heard of a "refugee camp" in the USA. I live in Florida, and my area was hit by a few hurricanes last year. The shelters used were entire elementary schools, high-schools gyms, and church admin buildings. In this case, I doubt that a fire would be welcome.

From what I've heard, emergency shelters are fairly regimented. They would probably have to be, or everyone would have a different opinion.

Fire is probably out of the question. I'm sure you couldn't use it indoors in a school, etc, and if there's a big problem here in the PNW, it will probably be raining. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would take stuff that would make me comfortable & stuff to make me less of a drain on Red Cross supplies: water, ready-to-eat food, a small radio, a couple of flashlights, a closed-cell foam sleeping mat & a couple of blankets or a sleeping bag, sleeping mask, soft earplugs, a couple changes of clothes, a deck of cards, some paperback books, phone cards, etc.

If you wanted to take a few things for trading, snuff certainly wouldn't be high on *MY* list! But a few extra decks of cards from the dollar store might relieve some boredom. Extra ear plugs for light sleepers. Chocolate. A cane to trip small children that insist on running past/over you multiple times...

Sue

I am more or less planning on a trip to the local YMCA or the High School gym if there is a situation. It will be My wife, myself, son, daughter, step-daughter and grandchild as of now. I have a bag for the step daughter to carry that contains stuff for the kids to stay busy. I have several boxes of crayons so the kids can team up with other kids nearby to keep them from running all over us, coloring books and paper. I am in tight with the people at Pizza Hut and everytime I go there I get the little activity books and put them away. I also pick up a toy here and there to stuff in there. I have some snacks and juice boxes. I also put a whistle, flashlight, glowstick, and a change of clothes for each child. They kinda have their own B.O.B. to take care of. It makes them feel as if they belong. If anyone has anything else I can put in there let me know.

I've not heard of refugee camps, usually there are temp shelters in places like schools and such. Be careful, I've heard some stories of gear not being welcome (guns, knives) and gear being given to those who need it more than the owner, avoid the shelters as much as you can.
Do you live on the boat? Is it your primary residence? It sounds like it to me. Do you have a car as well, can you trade the car for a small van type of RV? Somehting small enough to drive normally but if something were coming that you had to leave you could drive on past the shelter and camp out.

For going to a refuge camp take 1 change of clothes and 1 blanket per person. Anything more will be confiscated and distributed to those even less prepared than you.

Yep, got me to thinking about Mel Gibson arriving in Bartertown, when everybody stared as he kept pulling one weapon after another out of his clothes. (Mad Max beyond Thunderdome).

Gulag living ain't the life for me...

In a third world type of refuge camp, I would figure that anything of a life or death importance will be confiscated for the good of whole group. They won't let some pothead starve while you sit on top of a case of MRE's.

I would take tobacco and alcohol so you can barter. But those items,esp booze, will like be contraband. No good solution.

In a hurricane type setting,at a school, firestation or gym, a nice inflatable sleeping pad (Thermarest), pillow, and your own sleeping bag would probably be nicer than what they issue you. Right or wrong, I would imagine that items that can be shared will be expected to be shared by the less prepared and those more in need. Candy to give children will make you "the nice old guy that likes kids" and will win you friends early on, which may be key to your well-being. Plus it is something you CAN do to help. Everybody can do something, even if it only being nice and not complaining.

Perhaps you should befriend and team up now with like-mined, younger, healthier individuals and have friends to help you in a SHTF situation.

Who me?

Tobacco might not be a bad idea, but no alchohol here. Muslims frown on drinking. Your candy idea has lots of merit, though. Of course, any foodstuffs or meds get confiscated for stock or redistribution.

In an envrionment where one needs the shelter of a refuge camp, I have to think that forming your own marauding group would be better. Better to be on the offensive than the defensive, at least that's the way all the movies work out. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That's why I split my time between here and the survival forum at AR15.com. Practical gear....tactics for zombies. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />