MPP Spring Festival 2027
Six days of education, fellowship, and community building — May 2027 — Dates TBD Soon · Bloomington West Campground, Lawrence, KS
Thank You to the Self Reliance Festival Family
What a day. The Self Reliance Festival took over the MPP stage on September 10th — and it was everything we hoped for and more.
A massive thank you to Nicole Sauce, Dawn Gorham, Opalyn Brenger, and Bear Independent for bringing incredible knowledge, energy, and heart to the MPP/SRF Takeover Day.
You showed up. You delivered. You made it one for the books.
— Patrick Henry & the entire MPP Team
And to the entire Self Reliance Festival family who made the trip out to Lawrence, Kansas — thank you. Your support, your people, and your spirit made this Fall Festival one we'll never forget.
- • Dawn Gorham — Balanced Homestead
- • Opalyn Brenger — Alcohol Stove Build
- • Bear Independent — Living Your Full Potential
- • Nicole Sauce — Preparedness Starts at Home
What if one weekend could connect you with the exact people you've been looking for?
The builders. The doers. The ones who don't just talk about preparedness—they live it.
If you've been wanting to:
- Plug into a serious network of like-minded individuals
- Find the missing skillset your group needs
- Join an established MAG or start your own with guidance that actually works
Then let's be real… you need to be here.
The best part? Your campsite is already covered.
100% paid for by our sponsors. You just bring your people, your gear, and anything worth trading in Bartertown.
Registration Opens Soon
We're finalizing the details for MPP Spring Festival 2027. Check back soon — registration will open here once everything is locked in!
This Isn't Just Camping. This is a Full-Blown Experience.
Friday Night Potluck
Real food, real people, real conversations.
Bartertown (Mooretown)
A no-cash, real-world trading experience inspired by post-SHTF conditions.
Free, High-Value Classes
Expert-led training across multiple disciplines — all included.
Outdoor Recreation
Hiking, fishing, kayaking just steps from camp.
Early Arrival (Tue–Wed)
Primitive camping opens early, first come first serve. Scout the land, meet people before the main crowd.
Community Connection
People from all directions — North, South, East, West… even Canada, eh. You'll leave with relationships that actually matter.
This is a family-first environment, and we intend to keep it that way.
🐾 Pets & People
We love animals, but the "aggressive pets" rule applies equally to unruly humans. Both occurred at our last festival. Be kind, be calm, or be gone. Well-behaved pets on leash are welcome.
👨👩👧👦 Kids Are Everywhere
This is a family-first event. Children will be present in abundance — some more feral than others. Choose your campsite wisely. If you need peace and quiet, plan accordingly.
🌙 Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM each night. If you're a light sleeper or rise early, consider locating away from late-night campfire areas. We respect everyone's rest.
🏛️ Privately Hosted
This is a privately hosted, publicly advertised event. Hosts reserve the right to maintain the atmosphere and ask anyone to leave if needed.
🔫 Firearms Policy
Concealed carry by permit only (must be issued prior to event). Contact Spags@midwestpreparednessproject.com for COE CCW permit info.
⚖️ Federal Land Rules
This event is held on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. All state and federal laws apply at all times.
Event Schedule — TBD
Dates and instructors coming soon — here's the structure we're building toward.
Tuesday – May TBD
Early Arrival- Gates open for staff and early arrivals
- Setup, hiking, swimming, relaxing — enjoy the land
- Fishing, kayaking, and lakeside relaxation
Wednesday – May TBD
Free Day- Open camping — enjoy nature before the main event
- Fishing, hiking, and lakeside relaxation
- Explore the campground and lake at your own pace
- Community fellowship & quiet campfire evening
Thursday – May TBD
Day 1- 10:00 AM – Opening Ceremony
- 10:30 AM – Class: TBD
- Kids10:30 AM – Youth Activity: TBD
- Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – Class: TBD
- Kids1:00 PM – Youth Activity: TBD
- 3:00 PM – Class: TBD
- Kids3:00 PM – Youth Activity: TBD
- 6:00 PM – Grumpy Acres Seed Exchange
Friday – May TBD
Day 2- 10:00 AM – Class: TBD
- Kids10:00 AM – Kids Event: TBD
- Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – Class: TBD
- Kids1:00 PM – Youth Activity: TBD
- 3:00 PM – Main Event: TBD
- 5:00 PM – MPP Fellowship Potluck
- 6:00 PM – Sponsor Giveaway #1
- 7:00 PM – WROL Card Game + Campfire Session
- 7:00 PM – Youth Movie Night
Saturday – May TBD
Day 3- 10:00 AM – Class: TBD
- 10:00 AM – Kids Activity: TBD
- Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – Class: TBD
- Kids1:00 PM – Youth Activity: TBD
- Kids3:00 PM – Youth Activity: TBD
- 3:00 PM – Main Event: TBD
- 6:00 PM – Giveaway #2
- 6:30 PM – Barter Town: No cash. No nonsense. Just real trade.
Sunday – May TBD
Send-Off- Camp cleanup
- Brief prayer service
- Travel mercies
- Roll out together for breakfast at IHOP
September 8–13, 2026 — Full Schedule
A look back at our Fall Festival — featuring the SRF Takeover Day!
Tue · Sep 8
Gates Open- 12:00 PM — Gates Open to the Public
- Claim your campsite — first come, first served
- Enjoy the lake — fishing, kayaking, swimming
- Hiking the trails & exploring the land
Wed · Sep 9
Free Day- Open camping — enjoy nature before the main event
- Fishing, hiking, and lakeside relaxation
- Help with setup or just take in the outdoors
- Community fellowship & quiet campfire evening
Thu · Sep 10
SRF Take Over!- 9:45 AM — Opening Ceremony with Patrick Henry
- 10:00 AM — Dawn Gorham: Building a Balanced Homestead
- Kids10:15 AM — Kids Event: Build and Test Rope Bridges
- 11:15 AM — Opalyn Brenger: Make Your Own Alcohol Stove w/ Recyclables
- 12:15 PM — Lunch
- Kids1:00 PM — Kids Event: Soap Making From Scraps
- 1:30 PM — Bear Independent: Living Your Full Potential
- Kids3:00 PM — Kids Event: Gross Food Challenge
- 3:15 PM — Nicole Sauce: Preparedness Begins at Home
- 6:00 PM — Grumpy’s Seed Exchange
Fri · Sep 11
Day 2- 10:00 AM — Craig & Sidney: Raise for Resilience (Homeschooling as a Foundation for Preparedness)
- Kids10:00 AM — Kids Event: Fire Starting Challenge
- 11:45 AM — Lunch
- Kids1:00 PM — Kids Event: Blanket Challenge
- 1:00 PM — Brittany Baker: What’s Already In Your Hands
- 3:00 PM — Miriam, Samantha & Kristen: Prepare Like a Woman!
- 4:30 PM — Potluck Prep
- 5:00 PM — Potluck
- 6:00 PM — Give Away #1 (Adult and Kids)
- 7:00 PM — Preppers After Dark (WROL)
- 8:00 PM — Kid’s Movie Night
Sat · Sep 12
Day 3- 10:00 AM — Shawn Kelly: Frugal Feast (Headcheese, Boudin & Country Terrines)
- Kids10:00 AM — Kids Event: Archery Range with Jeremy
- 11:45 AM — Lunch
- Kids1:00 PM — Kids Event: Drink Lake Water!
- 1:00 PM — William Bond: Permaculture Design
- Kids1:30 PM — Kids Event: Kayaking at the Dock (9+), and Swimming (5–8 years)
- 3:00 PM — Robert “T” Toombs (Mountain Readiness): What Preparedness Should NEVER Look Like
- 4:45 PM — Dinner
- 6:00 PM — Give Away #2 (Adult and Kids)
- 6:30 PM — Barter Town!
Sun · Sep 13
Send-Off- Camp cleanup
- Community send-off & travel mercies
- Depart by Noon
Spring 2026 — Full Schedule
A look back at what we delivered for our Spring event.
Tuesday – May 5th
Early Arrival- Opening day for staff and early arrivals
- Setup, hiking, swimming, relaxing… enjoy the land
Wednesday – May 6th
Free Time- Camping + free time
- Simple. Easy. Just show up and connect
Thursday – May 7th
Day 1- 10:00 AM – Opening Ceremony
- 10:30 AM – Janet Gutierez: Introduction to Aromatherapy
- 10:30 AM – Youth: Knot Tying Basics
- Lunch – Scott Armstrong: Rebunked Podcast (Live)
- 1:00 PM – OFFGRID w/ Greg Gay: Power Needs Assessment
- 1:00 PM – Youth: Foraging & Scavenger Hunt
- 3:00 PM – Dayton (Ballistic Mischief): Field Trauma 101
- 3:00 PM – Youth: Macrame (Belts, Braiding, Weaving)
- 6:00 PM – Grumpy's Seed Exchange
Friday – May 8th
Day 2- 10:00 AM – Leigha Fairchild: Why Not Homebirth? (Doula Basics)
- 10:00 AM – Kids Event: BB Gun Range (Kansas Game & Wildlife)
- Lunch – Scott Armstrong: Rebunked Podcast
- 1:00 PM – Pastor Joe Fox (Viking Preparedness): TEOTWAWKI – Threats & Mitigation
- 1:00 PM – Youth Water Challenge (9+ w/ permission)
- 3:00 PM – MAIN EVENT: John "Ironman" Cantrell – Built for the Storm
- 5:00 PM – MPP Fellowship Potluck
- 6:00 PM – Sponsor Giveaway #1
- 7:00 PM – WROL Card Game + Campfire Session w/ Patrick Henry & Special Guest
- 7:00 PM – Youth Movie Night
Saturday – May 9th
Day 3- 10:00 AM – Dr. Sarah Diamond: Intentional Homesteading
- 10:00 AM – Kids: Land Navigation
- Lunch – Scott Armstrong: Rebunked Podcast
- 1:00 PM – Jake (First Person Prepping): Beyond the Baofeng
- 1:00 PM – Youth: Whittling
- 3:00 PM – Youth: Massive Marshmallow WAR
- MAIN EVENT: Real Talk with Randall (Grunt Proof)
- 6:00 PM – Giveaway #2
- 6:30 PM – BARTERTOWN: No cash. No nonsense. Just real trade.
Sunday – May 10th
Send-Off- Camp cleanup
- Brief prayer service
- Travel mercies
- Roll out together for breakfast at IHOP
Getting to the Festival
Bloomington West Campground · Clinton Lake · Lawrence, Kansas
Bloomington West Campground
Clinton State Park Area
Lawrence, Kansas 66047
Arrival Tips
• Early arrivals welcome Tuesday (TBD) — first come, first served campsites
• Main festivities run Wednesday through Sunday
• Bloomington West Campground — Clinton Lake, Lawrence, KS
• Located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land at Clinton Lake
• Primitive camping — bring your own gear, tent, and supplies
