I have an unusual subject in mind and would like comments and suggestions on it.
I volunteer at a local homeless shelter and am interviewing several dozen 'residents' in connection with the city's long term plans. In the process it has been suggested to me by several homeless that I should spend at least one night out in the open to see what it's like to sleep without formal shelter or security.
Keep in mind that this is Juneau, Alaska, a smallish town where summertime temperatures dip no lower than 50 degrees as a rule. There are many homeless, many of whom sleep in the shelter but others who either from desire (prefers fresh air and birdsong) or from need (didn't pass the breathalyzer test and had to leave the shelter) find themselves on their own for the night.
Many of those who spend the night outdoors make a climb up the hills behind town and sleep among the trees with the help of a tarp but some of them sleep in doorways or on park benches or wherever they can find.
Say that I'll do this- I have not agreed to any such thing - I would take my dog with me, my sleeping bag and an extra blanket if it is insufficient, a flashlight, a watch and toilet paper. In the interests of not attracting bears I would not take any food, but maybe a thermos of hot coffee.
I have a couple of advantages over some: Quite a few of the homeless people in town know me from my walking my dog the last couple of years. My dog collects a lot of pats from them. They keep an eye on us and if I'm absent a couple days they worry about us.
I would not have to 'camp' alone- there are people out there, both male and female, and that might be smarter.
Even smarter would be if I made a visit to the local police outpost to let them know what and why I'm doing. Don't know about that, though.