I’ve tried a few times to get involved with local preparedness groups. Many years ago, I put out feelers to start a prepping group in my area. People responded via email, seemed interested, but when it came time to actually meet up, nobody showed, lol. Eventually, I gave up. I also attempted to join a homesteading group that looked promising, but that never materialized, either. Well, that might have had more to do with me not following through. 🙂
These experiences taught me something important: finding the right group (and the right people) is hard, and truth be told, it might be better to prepare solo than to waste time with the wrong people. But if you’re going to join or start a group, you need to know what to look for.
(If interested, I got most of the following ideas from this SurvivalistBoards.com chat.)
Green Flags: Signs of a Good Group
The best indicator of a solid prepping group is that they actually do things, and they do them together. Duh? Regular meetings or training sessions matter more than online discussions. If a group meets monthly to work on practical skills (first aid, communications, food preservation, physical fitness, etc.), that’s a wonderful sign! If they only exist in Facebook comments and forum posts, that’s not a group. That’s a chat room and a bunch of people who probably don’t care as much as you.
Diversity in skills and membership is another positive sign. A group made up entirely of single guys who only want to talk about guns isn’t a survival group. Worthwhile groups include families, have plans for spouses and kids, and bring a wide range of expertise to the table. You want people who know medical skills, somebody who understands HAM radio, a gardener, mechanic, and so on. “I’m good with a gun” shouldn’t be anyone’s primary contribution UNLESS they also have very specific combat skills.
You should also feel safe with these people. Would you trust them with your family? Can you imagine spending extended time with them during a crisis? One forum member made an excellent point about this: they said that if you wouldn’t want to hang out with these people during normal times, why would you want them around when things are truly bad?
Location matters too. Your group should be close enough to actually meet regularly and support each other. A group spread across several counties may not be much help during a regional emergency. Granted, if you get along well enough, then they might be useful for personal emergencies. For example, if your family had to evacuate, then these other people could take you in (and vice-versa).
Leadership structure deserves attention as well. Some people think groups can function without leaders, but that’s unrealistic. When differences arise (and they absolutely will), someone needs to make final decisions. The key is finding balanced leadership because too little structure and the group gets aimless, whereas too much and people feel controlled and bicker or leave. Good groups have clear decision making processes without becoming authoritarian.
Here’s another practical test: does the group vet new members, or do they immediately accept anyone who shows interest? Quality groups should be selective. They should want to know who you are, what you bring to the table, and whether you’re trustworthy. Instant acceptance is a red flag!
Speaking of which…
Red Flags: Groups to Avoid
Gun obsession, as mentioned above, probably tops the list of warning signs. If shooting is their primary draw, or the only training involves shooting from a bench, walk away. Guns are tools, not something to make the focal point. Groups that spend all their time and money stockpiling weapons while ignoring food, water, medical supplies, and dozens of other survival skills probably have their priorities skewed. In fact, you might be joining a Fed-run militia. 😉
Watch out for groups with questionable legal interests. If people start asking about illegal modifications, discussing ways to skirt laws, or talking poorly about our benevolent, well-meaning, compassionate, altruistic, and definitely even-handed government, you’re either dealing with idiots or Feds. Neither option is good. Leave immediately!!!
The “run to the woods” plan deserves special mention. Groups whose primary strategy involves bugging out to some undisclosed wilderness location probably haven’t thought things through. Where exactly are they going? Who owns that land? What happens when fifty other groups have the same idea? This fantasy appeals to people who watch too many movies and haven’t spent enough time out in the woods. And as I age, I can tell you that my back demands a comfy bed and a fluffy pillow.
Physical fitness (or lack thereof) tells you a lot. If most members can’t handle basic cardio or physical tasks, how exactly do they plan to survive a crisis? Granted, there will need to be exceptions, but most members should be capable individuals.
Pay attention to how people present themselves. Are these well-rounded individuals with outside interests and normal lives? Or are they disaffected, frustrated people whose sole identity revolves around SHTF scenarios? (On second thought, scratch this red flag as I might qualify.) Seriously, preparedness groups should be secondary to normal life. They’re a contingency, not a way of life.
As mentioned earlier, immediate recruitment without vetting is highly suspicious. Good groups are highly selective because they understand that one wrong person/family can compromise everyone’s security and future. Groups that welcome anyone who shows up either don’t understand operational security (OPSEC) or are so desperate for members that they’ve abandoned all useful standards.
The Ultimate Question
Here’s the simplest test, though not the easiest to discern without spending a good amount of time with them: do you trust these people with your life? Not hypothetically. Would you actually trust them? How about with your spouse and kids?
If the answer is no, little else matters. All the skills, gear, and training in the world won’t overcome a fundamental lack of trust. But, then, there are very few people in my life that I would trust to such a degree, so maybe there’s some slack to be had when considering this question, at least, initially.
And here’s another angle to consider: does your spouse like the group? One person commented and said that their wives didn’t get along with other members, which made everything difficult. So, if your family isn’t comfortable with the group, that’s a problem … and if your wife isn’t comfortable, then everyone’s got a problem.
Some forum members mentioned enjoying social events with their group (barbecues, casual gatherings). That’s actually a great indicator because if you can’t stand spending a few hours at a cookout with these people, how will you handle days or weeks together when everyone is stressed to the max?
Better Alone Than With the Wrong People?
After my failed attempts at group building, I’ve made peace with solo prepping. It’s not ideal as having the right people around matters, and there are real advantages to working with others, which I’m learning more and more as I age. But a bad group is surely worse than no group.
That said, one or two reliable people/families you trust completely are worth more than a dozen acquaintances who talk a good game but won’t show up when it truly matters. Who are those people in your life, even if they’re not preppers?
If you find a group or family that meets regularly, trains on practical skills, includes diverse members and perspectives, has reasonable leadership, and passes the trust test, you’ve found something truly valuable. Invest in those relationships. But if you’re seeing red flags, don’t ignore them hoping things will improve because they probably won’t.
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