Gnu, on rare occasions in the past I have gathered boughs to sleep on but rarely bothered. In those days of course, I was able to sleep on a plank if need be. My muscles and bones are a lot wimpier these days.

Keep in mind, however, that nights in Juneau at this time of year are very short- it doesn't get full dark until midnight and along about 2:30 it's getting light again.

No gun, though, thank you. No ticks or sand fleas either. Skeeters in Alaska can be a nuisance depending on the cycle they're in. Incidentally, I don't think of it as a requirement in any sense. They just think it would be a good thing if I knew for one night how they feel every night.

SRS, that is a real factor in the venture if I decide to do it. I am not at all sure that it will give me any actual understanding that I don't already have. However, one huge difference is the dissimilarities between Juneau and Fort Worth. The homeless shelter here can bed 39 people- 8 women and 30 men, with one 'fever' room that is rarely used. Contrast that with a major city. In addition, the folks here seem to have been all over the country in shelters of all sorts, and they say that Juneau is different in more than just size. A great many of Juneau's homeless are here for the duration – the people you see there today will probably still be there next year. Shelters, down south, they say, are far more transient.

Jeri, thank you. Just as what Stilly says, I don't know how much I would learn from this or what they would perceive me as having learned. I would prefer, I think, not to tell them until later. And you're right about the backyard- enjoyable and totally different.

Doug C and Sorcha, my guess is that I would experience a tremor or two at strange noises. I did lug a tent to the top of one mountain (we have two of them downtown and we all live at their feet) one July 4th and slept up there. There were 20 or so tents not far away and what disturbed my sleep was the knowledge that I had no idea what the food cache situation was in those other tents. I didn't like the idea of bears parading past my tent.

As far as 'street cred' is concerned I doubt that's relevant. These are adults and they are well aware that you should sleep at home if you have one. At the same time I doubt they would think of it as tokenism; most likely they would recount the tale amongst each other with emotions ranging from disbelief to risibility. :)

Old Vermin, I love camping itself. I've done a great deal of it in Oregon and southern Washington state. There are black bear about but down there I never worried about them. Up here in Alaska they live in much closer proximity to us.

Crow Sister, I have no male friends who would see the sense of it. :) And I thought of a few nights rather than just one but other than getting grubby and grumpy I doubt that there would be much difference.

By the way, I know at least two homeless men who have a dog with them. I think having something to love or care about is important to them.