Someday, when your commute or supermarket run gets interrupted by the collapse of society, there will be certain considerations to make. Jeff Smith seemed to know them all. Pacing under the sweeping metal roof of an open-air rodeo pavilion on the woodsy St. John’s County fairgrounds, Smith held the gaze of his sparse morning audience with a promise — that when catastrophe struck, his tips could get them home. Some two dozen people peered down from the bleachers at the 64-year-old Navy veteran in his “Everyday Prepper” polo. They scribbled copious notes.

How "preppers" are planning for the impending apocalypse — just don't expect them to share their food.

“Preppers” aren’t just old dudes building bunkers anymore. As the practice goes mainstream, more are young, urban, liberal, and/or on YouTube.

A visit to "prepper camp," a four-day session on surviving super viruses, natural disasters, socioeconomic collapse, world war, and more