In the event of an emergency, folks all default back to basic training. If we don't have any training or experience in an event, that's what makes it an emergency. Since 2012, the Calgary Zombie Survivalist Group has hosted almost 200 events to bring skills to Calgarians to help them prepare for the zombie apocalypse....or the occasional flood. We try to mix skill building sessions with fun, and welcome families to bring their kids (to some events, anyway). We also like to inform our members of relevant events in the communities hosted by a variety of organizations, from the Calgary Permaculture Guild to the Alberta Hunters Education Society to the Arusha Centre. .
Past events have included:
Past events have included:
- How to Build a Bug-Out-Bag
- Man-tracking and wildlife tracking
- Wilderness survival (fire, shelter, water)
- Primitive overnight camping (building your own shelter, filtering water, packing in food, and testing our survival gear)
- Plant identification
- Survival psychology
- Navigation - map and compass
- Archery
- Close Quarters Combat
- Self-defence
- Pub nights
- Food storage and preps
- Permaculture and seed storage
- Tabletop scenarios - imagining what you would do in certain situations
- Logistics - how would you get where you need to be if an emergency happened
- Flood preparation
- Bee keeping
- Worm composting
- Preparing Your Home for Emergencies
- Urban Survival
- Movie nights
- EDC (Every Day Carry) Show and Tell
- Group buys on select items (medical supplies, camping supplies)
- Scavenging in Your Cupboards: Cooking with Canned & Dried Food
- Participate in the Zombie Walk, Run for Your Lives, Zombie Survivor, and other local zombie-related events
- We even got asked to be extras in a zombie movie once
- ......and more!
Do you guys really believe in zombies?
Short answer: no.
The "Zombie Apocalypse" is a metaphor for personal, community, or larger scale emergencies. Examples could include the loss of a job, natural disaster, or a bust in the economy. It's way more fun to "plan" for the zombie apocalypse than civil collapse. Some members have never even seen a zombie movie (!), but we forgive them. Grudgingly.
The "Zombie Apocalypse" is a metaphor for personal, community, or larger scale emergencies. Examples could include the loss of a job, natural disaster, or a bust in the economy. It's way more fun to "plan" for the zombie apocalypse than civil collapse. Some members have never even seen a zombie movie (!), but we forgive them. Grudgingly.
Will you teach me how kill a zombie?
We do talk about self defense and survival, and we've even had a few folks go to the gun range or archery range together. We do not, however, condone nor support illegal activities, illegal items, or violent crime. Any participant who discusses illegal activities, illegal items, or violent crime will be removed from the group at the organizer's discretion.
Can I bring my kids to your events?
Kids are often welcome (our founder is a youth educator by trade!), but the group's content, sessions, and workshops contain adult themes (e.g. smashing zombies in the brain). Parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, so please attend events at your discretion. Organizers have the right to refuse participation to any participant, either to all events or certain events covering adult themes.
Can anyone join?
Short answer: no.
- Since we are based in Calgary and meet in person, we are currently only accepting folks from the Calgary area.
- We will have Associate Memberships that will allow you to stay in touch, come to certain events (if you can), and support us from afar!
- Our primary audience is folks who are interested in being a part of a community that shares knowledge and skills. We want a team that works together, not a team of individuals who bail when things get rough.
Is the ZSG interested in teaming up with other orgs?
Heck yes! We love cross promotion, attending other organizations events, co-hosting, and collaboration! If it makes sense to join forces, let's do this! Send us a note through our contact form and we'll be in touch ASAP!