I have delayed writing this for too long. I urge anyone who is interested to search the net for other peoples idea of how to form a group, retreat, prepper’s group, or whatever you want to call it………….
The following is a combination of ideas I have read over the years and are from different sources and ideal circumstances. Laws and customs may vary from location to location.
Minimum Number: 6 to 10 adults (defined as minimum age 16) male or female
Rationale: security and defense must be maintained 24 hours a day
Rules for joining: criminal record check, child abuse registry, work history, training etc…
Rationale: your hunting, work buddy, or other friend might be a criminal (or worse type) would you want him to watch your back and guard your loved ones in your absence. Furthermore if he is a biker or druggie they may decide to give evidence against you for something you have not done, or done at their urging.
Rules for leaving: if equipment is shared what happens if the person who bought it wants to leave. If there was a joint purchase, what is the compensation (if any for leaving)?
Rules for expulsion: Criminal enterprises or threats against an individual or the group would be good ones. Remember the HUTTAREE militia group a few years back. They were not all charged with terrorism related charges, only the ones who were playing war game scenarios of ambushing police officers.
Written rules: Everyone knows what is expected of them and from the group so there are no misconceptions about the goal. A Vision Statement and Goals should be written somewhere.
Periodic meetings and sharing of information, this will keep the group together, informed, and on track.
OTHER RULES
How much food (non perishable) based on caloric levels eg. 2600 calories per day.
Specific equipment lists: eg. Warm winter boots, gloves, specific number of changes of clothing, hats, etc…..
Seeds and equipment for a garden.
(MAKE UP YOU OWN LIST)
BUG OUT TIME
1. Should your equipment and supplies be stored or cached on sight. (Disadvantage: who is responsible if it is pilfered?) (advantage: all you have to do is arrive by foot and dig in)
2. Should your supplies be stored in a trailer at a storage facility (close to the retreat) so you can hook up and drive a short distance.
3. Hook up the trailer or load the truck and go. (advantage: you have everything with you) (disadvantage: everyone else is doing the same thing)

The fact that you have a plan, some rudimentary supplies, and a prepared location (at minimal levels) puts you ahead of 99.9% of the sheeple, evan if you have not prepared for every possibility.

I know most of this thread took place in the spring but I'll chime in. I don't know of any preper communities in Manitoba, but I do know about a few eco-villages and some survival resources.

There is actually a vibrant network of people living off the grid in Manitoba, but instead of connecting over disaster preparedness, they are usually connecting under the environmental or local food producing umbrella. to list a couple, there is the Northern Sun Farm located south of Steinbach by a little ways. Then there is the Prairies edge ecovillage, somewhere in the east. I have been to the Northern Sun farm and they are quite advanced, with having figured out sewage composting facilities and alternative energy, and small and diverse food production.

There is also a pair of people that put on Survival courses regularly. Their names are Dwayne Logan and Laura Reeves. Dwayne seems to focus more on the utilitarian aspect of survival, such as shelter, tools, whatnot, and Laura has a flair for wild edible plants, and even has a small book for sale on the subject, focusing on Manitoba plants.

Having grown up in Winnipeg, and lived in communities such as Killarney, Clearwater, Russell, Pointe du Bois and now just slightly east of the city, I can tell you that the rural area contains a lot of interesting people that would include off the grid type and preppers, but they tend to keep a low profile. This is for good reason, as the rest of society tends to act pretty weird towards survival types, focusing on the doom and gloom they are supposedly promoting.

Anyhow, I'm very interested in meeting with others, but have only a basic level of preparedness going on myself.

Hey,
Keep posting here. Maybe we can draw some of the 'Toban Lurkers out.

welcome

OK - Enough with being a lurker /// Family of 5 in S.E. MB /// Been prepping solidly for 1 year now /// Want to take the next step & converse with like minded families or group in same geographic region /// Online exchange of ideals, beliefs & such before face to face expected and extended /// Wary of people, so I ask you to please respect that.

Welcome Twenty 3rd Psalm,

Although, I am not in your neck of the woods, welcome. I am sure you will find a lot of information at the Forum and I hope those in Manitoba contact you in the near future. The Manitoba Forum has been gaining speed since the summer and I hope that continues.

Cheers,

Mountainman.

Thanks for the "Welcome" Mountainman /// Just spent a little time perusing your blog, very nice /// Have added to my favorites & look forward to future posts /// Keep Safe - Twenty3rdPsalm

Twenty3rdPsalm,

You are most welcome. I am happy to hear you enjoyed a visit to my blog. I write when I can. There seems to be a lot of interest in Chuck Boxes, my first Chuck Box page has had more hits than any other page I have, at the moment. I am not complaining, I was just a little shocked. The Chuck Box crowd has not found my new post on Chuck Boxes. I will try to keep future posts interesting.

Good luck linking up with like-minded folks in SE MB.

Cheers,

Mountainman.

Since retiring and bought a home out in the bush, as very quite, 100s of der in my yard.Istarteda small group here. my house has power inverters onselected lines, torunmy well, security power,backup generator, 12 voltdc basckuplighting in the house, carry aloadof 125 cords of fire wood for woodstove,and Icook on it for practise. During winter turn off the electric heat. When power cuts out, have power for phones, hamradio, TV and security cameras and runsmy well pump.i have enoughroomfor 8 adults if want to bees that needojoinmy place. Have stocked piled food for myselve for 3 months. Need toraid the |Supply depot for some army cots. LOL.

Hope to share more,

Cheers,
Gunney

Good to see people posting 🙂

This Manitoba Forum is way too quiet. Hopefully Manitobans will step up and get more active 🙂

Hello,
We are preppers from the Interlake. Unfortunately all by ourselves since none of our friends and neighbors feel the need to prepare for anything but boxing day... It will be good to see some other preppers from the same area.

dont see the need for shyness about being prepared since local govts are putting out handsheets on the subject. I am looking for a group in my area.. Pembina Valley area 30 mins SW of Wpg. Or rally point..anyone who has great ideas about setting up/ maintaining/supplying a go to place and using it on and off during the year. Please msg if interested in a meet up.

Hello,
We would be interested in meeting with you.

PSands