Viking Fest 2010

Well, the second annual Viking Fest (2010 edition) has drawn to a close and it was a smashing success! Over sixty Vikings converged on north-eastern Kansas for four days of fun in the very hot sun fellowshipping, learning preparedness related tasks and practicing living outdoors as a group. Men, women and children, and babies came from as far away as Texas, southern Louisiana, St. Louis, Michigan and from all points in between.



The first two days saw temperatures topping 100 degrees and frankly – it was HOT! But that did not stop the smiles or the fun. Over the course of four days Vikings participated in classes on everything from first aid and home remedies to stick fighting, from ham radio operation to plant identification, goat milking and critter trapping to beekeeping, child lost proofing to bow drill fire making and Dutch oven cooking, bullet casting to reloading in the field – and on and on. The classes were non-stop but somehow we managed to squeeze in some baptisms, a wedding vow renewal, evening worship sessions, group discussions, fishing, swimming and hiking. Some meals were eaten individually and some were pot-luck. Some stayed the whole four days while others popped in just for the day and went home to air-conditioning at night. All came to learn and share and experience community with fellow Vikings.


On the last night we raffled off some wonderful prizes generously donated by corporate sponsors to whom I give my heartfelt thanks. Survival Solutions donated hundreds of dollars worth of gear from a Swack Shack, to a super poncho to survival kits, water purifiers, tritium lensatic compass and more; Camp Chef donated a beautiful limited addition Dutch oven and camp cutting boards, Buckshot donated a Mora knife and fire starter, Lehman’s provided a Trapper knife, We had vacuum packed heirloom seeds from Baker Creek Heirlooms, Yellowstone River Publishing provided Arlene Hoag’s excellent “Do it Yourself Emergency Preparedness, donated a large mug and a hat, Vikings donated personal items, and Viking Services LLC donated t-shirts, my book and other Viking gear items. Everyone who entered went home with something.

As always, the best part of Viking Fest was just being with other like-minded individuals and families. There was a very real sense of community pervading this gathering and as it drew to a close, I found myself wanting to spend more time with my old friends and get to know my new friends even better. Four days was not even close to enough time to discuss everything I wanted to discuss, to hear everything I wanted to hear, to do everything I wanted to do. Time is so short and these types of things are so infrequent I am already looking forward to next year!



You can read some more After Action Reviews and see more pics here: Viking Fest 2010

If you think you might be interested in participating in a diverse community focused on preparedness and security – why not stop by the forums and have a look around? Viking Services LLC facilitates a variety of events each year and all are welcome to attend.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
– Hebrews 10:25
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If you have any comments I’d love to hear them.
If they really interest me, I may even post them.
You can reach me at Joe

You can also join us to discuss this and other issues at Viking Preparedness Forums

Prepared Americans for a Strong America