Boondocking universal symbol or flag?

[MdesDJ]

[font=-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont,]Does anyone know if there's a universal symbol or flag for people boondocking? If there's not, would that be a worthwhile pursuit for the community? [/font]

[font=-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont,]I'm a master of design student who has found myself learning about/exploring the world of nomads (in the USA) and I'm hooked. The content here[/font], among other resources, has been a lovely guide to this beautiful community of people. 

[font=-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont,]I’m not a vandweller or #vanlifer (yet), but would love to work with the community if it’s appropriate and needed. I notice that there’s array of people who choose to, or have no choice but to live from cars. Wondering if a symbol of sorts, generated by the community, would foster some connection between diverse groups? It (the symbol) could potentially identify safe/free parking and start conversations, as well. [/font]

[font=-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont,]Thank you, D.J.[/font]

 

[RVTravel]

People have come up with some stickers and such in the past. Search the site.

 

[MdesDJ]

People have come up with some stickers and such in the past. Search the site.

 
Thanks! I'll take a look around. Do any stickers come to mind that would be easy enough to share?

 

[nature lover]

I’m not into the stealth thing but those who are wouldn’t want such a symbol on their vehicle. Course there really is no such thing as self because I can see your van dweller from a mile away. I really take some people off when I walked up to him and say how long have you been doing this? Doing what? Living in your vehicle. Oh no no I don’t live in my vehicle. Right. If somebody has one of Bob stickers on the back CRVL or RTR that’s enough. Could have a password like are you Bob Wells, or do you know Bob Wells? But like I said I don’t think it really needs done because we all know what a nomad looks like. Maybe some kind of symbol like I’m a nomad leave me the heck alone or I’m a nomad and I don’t mind talking to others. God bless the nomads flag or no flag.

 

[maki2]

If you are out camping in the wild it is obvious what you are doing. If you are trying to camp in urban areas you dont want it to be obvious. if you are not in your van but away on errands you dont want anyone breaking in to steal your stuff. So the reality is that the retail market for a sticker to identify your vehicle as a boondocker is too limited to make it a big seller. Good thing you came here to do your market research before spending time on a design.

 

[MdesDJ]

Thanks for the generous responses!

To clarify, I’m working on a class project. My intent is to learn about the community and design something as a result of the learning process. I really don’t want to sell or to market anything.

The thought occurred to me that some symbol might be one approach (mostly if it was crowd-sourced/creative-commons). But that’s from my perspective as someone who has dipped my toes into boondocking and wished there was more identification at the sites I visited (in UP Michigan/Indiana). I often felt like I was doing something illegal when it was very legal.

But, I’m hearing that identification (or your vehicle or self) isn’t helpful (for various reasons). I’m still curious about symbols that maybe don’t serve as an identification but create common ground between the different groups of people who live from their vehicle?

For example, the people who walk to Santiago in Spain have a sea shell on their backpacks. It’s not a commercial item. It’s simple and understated and hangs on packs. If someone sees it and doesn’t know what it is, to them, it’s just a seashell. Likewise, it gets to the subject of leave no trace. It’s a natural object (sometimes a symbol as a stencil or carving) that doesn’t create more waste. It doesn’t/shouldn't even need to be industrially produced, for that matter.

Thinking out loud here. Perhaps, as an outsider, I might better serve the community by reaching non-boondockers (sticks-and-bricks people)? Encouraging them to test out boondocking and/or check their stigmas toward groups who live/sleep in vehicles, etc... I’m learning, and I appreciate your time and thoughts.

 

[maki2]

[quote pid='509506' dateline='1602098308']

Thinking out loud here. Perhaps, as an outsider, I might better serve the community by reaching non-boondockers (sticks-and-bricks people)? Encouraging them to test out boondocking and/or check their stigmas toward groups who live/sleep in vehicles, etc... I’m learning,
[/quote]

If you really want to create a graohic design just do it. It is not as if it is going to do harm to anyone. Some will want it, others won't.  You don't need to make it into a socially important thing that is of benefit to the community as a whole. That is asking a bit much of a sticker ?

 

[ForestRoadSurfers]

If it is aa school thing you could look into the original nomad ramblers of Hobo code symbols as a start to perhaps inspire a motif 

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a25174860/hobo-code/

 

[MdesDJ]

Good point, Maki2.

Here's a prompt for you and the rest...

Using materials in and around your dwelling, create a symbol for vandwellers.

It can signify safe/free parking, boondocking, your community, or any other meaningful ideas.

No design experience necessary! I'm mostly curious what materials are commonly available to reproduce the symbol (if a symbol was made/reproduced).

Have fun. Post your photos here. Thanks!

 

[desert_sailing]

Well whatever you settle on going for design you MUST do it on a piece of reflectix.

Nothing says boondocker,vandweller more so than reflictix...well ..that and a 5 gallon bucket.

Your creation could be as simple as a variant of spngebob..but clad in reflectix carrying a 5 gallon bucket.

A relfectix flag footed in a 5 gal bucket.

 

[wayne49]

As if their vehicles, and the places where they're parked, don't give it away.

 

[nature lover]

Desert— sailing - I love your idea of the 5 gallon bucket and reflectix flag. How about Bob Wells standing in a 5 gallon bucket waving to reflect its flag. Of course I think this is all humor because those of us who’ve been doing this for years know each other even if we don’t know their name we know by looking at the vehicle what’s going on. And I’m sure that police in most areas can tell the difference just as quickly. I don’t think a sticker for us is needed but we might come up with some good ideas for new T-shirts for Bob.

 

[maki2]

Just a few weeks ago I heard a couple of guys at an RV park (not a high end place) were talking critically about an older RV where the owner had put Reflectix on the inside of the south facing windows and what a low life the guy must be and how they would never do that because it looks so tacky.

There really is some prejudice out there regarding what other people think about people using reflectix for window coverings . It is very effective at heat control but they are too hung up on self image to do what works best versus what the RV industry sells for window blinds that do little to nothing to effectively control the heat. But why is it perfectly acceptable to use reflective windshield heat blockers that are widely sold for cars but not acceptable to put reflective covers inside of any other windows on a vehicle? People get some very silly notions in their heads.

 

[tripper]

Ha this is going on my rig!

 

[MdesDJ]

Nice. What do the shapes mean?

 

[MdesDJ]

Just a few weeks ago I heard a couple of guys at an RV park (not a high end place) were talking critically about an older RV where the owner had put Reflectix on the inside of the south facing windows and what a low life the guy must be and how they would never do that because it looks so tacky.....

I've noticed this difference between what you reference as the "high end" and "low." It appears there are folks, especially in the #vanlife category, that is all about aesthetics and style. On the other end of the spectrum, there are people who could care less if they are Instagram worthy. That's partially why I was curious about a symbol that draws on the commonalities between the two ends of the spectrum. Whether you put Reflectix in your window or drive a fancy Sprinter, what's the common thread or central meeting point?

 

[MdesDJ]

For those of you who go stealth, would you want to see more designated legal parking areas for over night stays (be it in cities, parks, or private property)? Or, is there a draw to going stealth?

 

[ForestRoadSurfers]

Nice. What do the shapes mean?

Thats old Hobo code markings from the link I shared earlier in the thread

 

[LERCA]

I had two giant Humane society magnets stolen off my car. I don’t know if whoever took them was pissed off or put them on their car. Now I have a small “adopt a homeless pet” magnet. I don’t dare put my “Pit Mom” magnet up. So when I was living in my car which was a silver Honda I wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible. A lot of people are ugly about people living in vehicles and I wouldn’t want to draw attention.

AND: Not all nomads live permanently. I’m going to sleep in my car when I go visit my friend on the Oregon border.

 

[MdesDJ]

Yeah - I guess you could say I fall into this category. Now that my wife and I know about boondocking, we can't find any good reasons to pay to stay somewhere. Instead, we bring a tent and find the closest free spot (usually in the woods). We slept in our ford focus once. I'm sure there are better ways to do it... My neck still hurts...

People are ugly about people living in vehicles. I can see why it would be in one's best interest not to identify themselves to avoid conflict.

Wondering what a universal symbol for free/undisturbed/safe parking would look like? IE. You pull up to a spot and find a discreet symbol (almost like a geocache) and automatically feel a little more comfortable about the spot you selected... The symbol could exist at a walmart lot, a church parking lot, or in the middle of the woods (among other spaces). Sure - the internet is a great space to read reviews, but a physical object or marker might boost confidence.

This is a fun conversation, by the way. Thanks to all who are participating!