ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the story of the interpretive process for New York City Prepper’s Network (NYCPN) group members. Interviewing New York’s wealthy and middle-class independent preppers offered valuable insight into the motivations for and approaches to prepping but provided limited insight into prepping as a social world. Joining the NYCPN as a participant-observer provided the opportunity to explore how preppers assign meaning to objects and actions as they interpreted prepping and their identities as preppers. In 2010, the NYCPN was established as a group of city dwellers interested in learning and sharing knowledge about prepping. The NYCPN’s retreats are important introductions to prepper culture for newcomers and a chance for seasoned preppers to teach or learn new skills. The appearance of NYCPN members worked to remind one another that they were committed to preparing for disaster and ready to take on any challenge during the retreat.
