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A '''retreat''' is a commonly used term for a place of refuge for those in the Survivalist movement.  Survivalist retreats are intended to be self-sufficient and are generally located in lightly-populated rural areas.  

A '''retreat''' is a commonly used term for a place of refuge for those in the Survivalist movement.  Survivalist retreats are intended to be self-sufficient and are generally located in lightly-[[population density|populated]] [[rural]] areas with [[small town values]] - [[conservative values]], such as the [[American Redoubt]] states of [[Idaho]], [[Montana]], [[Wyoming]], [[Oregon|Eastern Oregon]] or [[Oregon|Southwestern Oregon]], [[Washington State|Eastern Washington]] and [[Utah]].

Perhaps the most important newsletter on survivalism and survivalist retreats in the 1970s was the ''Personal Survival ("P.S.") Letter'' (circa 1977-1982) published by Mel Tappan, who also authored the books ''Survival Guns'' and ''Tappan on Survival''. The newsletter included columns from Tappan himself as well from Jeff Cooper, Al J. Venter, Bill Pier, Bruce D. Clayton, Rick Fines, Nancy Mack Tappan, J.B. Wood, Dr. Carl Kirsch, Charles Avery, Karl Hess, Eugene A. Barron, Janet Groene, Dean Ing, Bob Taylor, Reginald Bretnor, C.G. Cobb, and several other writers, some under pen names. The majority of this newsletter revolved around selecting, constructing and logistically equipping survival retreats.<ref>[http://www.frfrogspad.com/persurv.htm Magazine Articles By Jeff Cooper(<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Following Tappan's death in 1980, Karl Hess took over publishing the newsletter, eventually renaming it ''Survival Tomorrow''.

Several books have offered advice on survival retreats and [[strategic relocation]]. Some influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It'' by [[New York Times]] best-selling author [[James Wesley Rawles]], ''Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense'' by [[Ragnar Benson]], ''[[Strategic Relocation--North American Guide to Safe Places]]'' by [[Joel Skousen]], and ''The Secure Home'', (also by Skousen). Some that have been particularly influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home '' by [[Joel Skousen]], ''Rawles on Retreats and Relocation'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]], and ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World'' by Bruce D. Clayton.<ref>[http://www.paladin-press.com/detail.aspx?ID=476 ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World''] by Bruce D. Clayton. Paladin Press, 2002, ISBN 1-58160-326-6</ref>

Several  books have offered advice on survival retreats and relocation. Some influential in survivalist circles are ''Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense'' by [[Ragnar Benson]], ''Strategic Relocation--North American Guide to Safe Places'' by [[Joel Skousen]], and ''The Secure Home'', (also by Skousen). Some that have been particularly influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home '' by [[Joel Skousen]], ''Rawles on Retreats and Relocation'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]], and ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World'' by Bruce D. Clayton.<ref>[http://www.paladin-press.com/detail.aspx?ID=476 ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World''] by Bruce D. Clayton. Paladin Press, 2002, ISBN 1-58160-326-6</ref>

Online survival websites, forums, and blogs (such as [[SurvivalBlog.com]]) discuss the  best locales for survival retreats, how to build, fortify, and equip them, and how to form survivalist retreat groups.<ref>[http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=survivalist&submit=Search Yahoo! Groups : Search Results<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Economic troubles emerging from the credit collapse triggered by the 2007 US [[subprime mortgage]] lending fiasco have prompted a wider cross-section of the populace to get prepared and establish retreats.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref> [[James Wesley Rawles]], the editor of SurvivalBlog was quoted by the ''New York Times'' in April of 2008 that "interest in the survivalist movement 'is experiencing its largest growth since the late 1970s'”. He also stated that his blog's conservative core readership has been supplemented with "an increasing number of stridently green and left-of-center readers."<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref>

 

Economic troubles emerging from the credit collapse triggered by the 2007 US subprime mortgage lending fiasco have prompted a wider cross-section of the populace to get prepared and establish retreats.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref> [[James Wesley Rawles]], the editor of SurvivalBlog was quoted by the ''New York Times'' in April of 2008 that "interest in the survivalist movement 'is experiencing its largest growth since the late 1970s'”. He also stated that his blog's conservative core readership has been supplemented with "an increasing number of stridently green and left-of-center readers."<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref>

==Common retreat locale parameters==

==Common retreat locale parameters==

Common retreat locale selection parameters include light population density, plentiful water, arable soil, good solar exposure for gardening and photovoltaics, situation above any flood plains, and a diverse and healthy local economy.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html#CONUS SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Fearing rioting, looting and other unrest, many survivalists advocate selecting retreat locales that are more than one tank of gasoline away from any major metropolitan region. Properties that are not in "channelized areas" or on anticipated "refugee lines of drift" are also touted.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/glossary.html SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  Most survivalist writers, such as [[James Wesley Rawles]] recommend living at a retreat year-round,<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> rather than attempting to flee to a retreat at the 11th hour.

Common retreat locale selection parameters include light population density, plentiful water, arable soil, good solar exposure for gardening and photovoltaics, situation above any flood plains, and a diverse and healthy local economy.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html#CONUS SurvivalBlog.com</ref> Fearing rioting, looting and other unrest, many survivalists advocate selecting retreat locales that are more than one tank of gasoline away from any major metropolitan region. Properties that are not in "channelized areas" or on anticipated "refugee lines of drift" are also touted.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/glossary.html SurvivalBlog.com</ref>  Most survivalist writers, such as [[James Wesley Rawles]] recommend living at a retreat year-round,<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html SurvivalBlog.com</ref> rather than attempting to flee to a retreat at the 11th hour.

One of the key goals of retreats is to be self-sufficient for the duration of societal collapse.  To that end, plentiful water, and arable soil are paramount considerations.  But just behind these, comes isolated,  defensible terrain. Typically, retreats do not want their habitation or structure jeopardized by being within line of sight of any major highway.

One of the key goals of retreats is to be self-sufficient for the duration of societal collapse.  To that end, plentiful water, and arable soil are paramount considerations.  But just behind these, comes isolated,  defensible terrain. Typically, retreats do not want their habitation or structure jeopardized by being within line of sight of any major highway.

Because of its low population density and diverse economy, [[James Wesley Rawles]] <ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Joel Skousen]] <ref>[http://www.joelskousen.com/About/about.html About Joel Skousen<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> both recommend the Intermountain west region of the [[United States]], as a preferred region for relocation and setting up retreats. Although it has higher population density, Mel Tappan recommended southwestern [[Oregon]], primarily because it is not down-wind of any envisioned nuclear targets in the United States.

Because of its low population density and diverse economy, [[James Wesley Rawles]] <ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Joel Skousen]] <ref>[http://www.joelskousen.com/About/about.html About Joel Skousen<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> both recommend the Intermountain west region of the [[United States]], as a preferred region for relocation and setting up retreats. Although it has higher population density, Mel Tappan recommended southwestern [[Oregon]], primarily because it is not down-wind of any envisioned [[nuclear weapon]] targets in the United States.

==Retreat organization==

==Retreat organization==

Anticipating long periods of time without commerce in the future, retreat groups typically place a strong emphasis on logistics.  They amass stockpiles of supplies for their own use, for charity, and for [[barter]]. Frequently cited  key logistics for a retreat include long term storage food, common caliber ammunition, medical supplies, tools, gardening seed, and fuel.  In an article titled "Ballistic Wampum" in Issue #6 of P.S. Letter (1979) Jeff Cooper wrote about stockpiling ammunition far in excess of his own needs, keeping the extra available to use for bartering.

Anticipating long periods of time without commerce in the future, retreat groups typically place a strong emphasis on logistics.  They amass stockpiles of supplies for their own use, for charity, and for [[barter]]. Frequently cited  key logistics for a retreat include long term storage food, common caliber ammunition, medical supplies, tools, gardening seed, and fuel.  In an article titled "Ballistic Wampum" in Issue #6 of P.S. Letter (1979) Jeff Cooper wrote about stockpiling ammunition far in excess of his own needs, keeping the extra available to use for bartering.

In his books and in his blog (SurvivalBlog), [[James Wesley Rawles]] uses the generic term "beans, bullets and Band Aids" to describe retreat logistics.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In his books and in his blog (SurvivalBlog), [[James Wesley Rawles]] uses the generic term "[[permaculture|beans]], [[firearm|bullets]] and [[First aid|Band Aids]]" to describe retreat logistics.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com SurvivalBlog.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In their books, Joel Skousen, Mel Tappan and Howard Ruff all emphasize the need to have a one year supply of storage food.  Rawles recommends a two year supply, as well as storing non-hybrid (open pollinated) gardening seed.

In their books, Joel Skousen, Mel Tappan and Howard Ruff all emphasize the need to have a one year supply of storage food.  Rawles recommends a two year supply, as well as storing non-hybrid (open pollinated) gardening seed.

''Lucifer's Hammer'' by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven (1977) describes a disaster caused by a comet striking the  Earth, and a the adventures of people that form an impromptu group retreat in an small mountain community, which they must defend from a large gang of cannibalistic looters.  

''Lucifer's Hammer'' by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven (1977) describes a disaster caused by a comet striking the  Earth, and a the adventures of people that form an impromptu group retreat in an small mountain community, which they must defend from a large gang of cannibalistic looters.  

''Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]] (1998) (editor of SurvivalBlog) is a novel about a full-scale socio-economic collapse and subsequent invasion of the US, which a review has called "a survival manual dressed as fiction."

''[[Patriots - Surviving the Coming Collapse]]'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]] (1998) (editor of SurvivalBlog) is a novel about a full-scale socio-economic collapse and subsequent invasion of the US, which a review has called "a survival manual dressed as fiction."

''Wolf and Iron'' (1990) by Gordon Dickson describes a systemic societal collapse. The main character "GeeBee" builds and stocks and earth-sheltered retreat, using salvaged materials.  

''[[Wolf and Iron]]'' (1990) by Gordon Dickson describes a systemic societal collapse. The main character "GeeBee" builds and stocks and earth-sheltered retreat, using salvaged materials.  

''The Postman'' by David Brin (1985) takes place in the aftermath of an EMP attack and pandemic plague with subsequent socioeconomic collapse that reduces the societal infrastructure to early 19th Century levels. In the novel, townsmen construct fortified retreats.

''[[The Postman]]'' by David Brin (1985) takes place in the aftermath of an EMP attack and [[pandemic]] plague with subsequent socioeconomic collapse that reduces the societal infrastructure to early 19th Century levels. In the novel, townsmen construct fortified retreats.

==See also==

==See also==

*[[James Wesley Rawles]]

* [[James Wesley Rawles]]

*[[Joel Skousen]]

* [[Joel Skousen]]

 

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[[Category:Survivalism]]

[[Category:Survivalism]]