Termlong elaboration

not-so-fun camping

I had originally wanted to make a "kit" or "quickguide" for the non-extreme camper, one who does not gear up at REI and tackle mountains every time they step out into the great outdoors which this region offers aplenty. Slouchcamping, a term my friends and I have coined to describe our loosely-defined method of quick weekend camping trips mostly centered around pitching a tent, starting a fire, cracking open some PBR, and reading cheap horror paperbacks aloud to one another while staring into the flames till s'mores time, was to be the title of this little kit. Humorous and simple to assemble. Slightly educational, and slightly more entertaining. Lighthearted and fun, personal from me to youse.

But I want to tailor this same framework to a different purpose. Slightly less light-hearted, but still kind of fun, while teaching a valuable lesson (or at least engaging the particiant in an interesting experiment). I am currently taking the PSU Senior Capstone called the Listening Project, which teaches you about the issues of homelessness in the Portland metro area, how to acknowledge and listen to those affected by it, and places you in a face-to-face volunteer situation to apply what you are learning.

Seems to me you could take this same "camping kit" approach and change it to a "Day Without A Home". A map and list of places to stay, how to access day/night services, bathrooms, food possibilities, places to avoid, and straight-from-the-horse's-mouth advice on how to make it through the day from those who do it everyday. It would involve interviewing some of the people I encounter in my volunteer placement, and people who work at these facilities. A checklist and journal space in the packet would invite participants to share their thoughts on supporting blog site. One day, or as long as they care to extend the experience. A lesson could be learned, eyes could be opened, and perceptions about the town we all walk through everyday could become clearer. No clear title yet. Still thinking.