Zombie Apocalypse Party

About

The Zombie Apocalypse Party utilizes an impending “zombie apocalypse” to help educate your school and community about how to prepare for disasters. Dress in your best zombie costumes and enjoy games, snacks, or other fun activities while you educate your community about ways to survive a zombie outbreak.

Purpose

Educating the public on emergency preparedness is an important mission of the American Red Cross. Natural disasters kill an average of 60,000 people per year globally, and having an emergency plan can make a big difference during a disaster. If you charge for admission, money raised can also support your local Red Cross region.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Define your desired outcomes for the activity and create measurable goals and objectives to guide the planning process. We encourage you to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into your activity and be creative with your approaches. 

Step 2: Plan the Details

Determine an admission fee if the activity is intended to be a fundraiser.

   • $5 to $10 is a good range.

Develop activity ideas. Here are some to get you started:

   • Learn How to Prepare for Emergencies

   • Create a game about making an emergency plan.

   • Make the party a Ready Relay activity, an activity where participants compete to complete tasks to further inform participants about preparedness.

   • Host a first aid competition and give participants different zombie scenarios to respond to in a limited time.

   • More activity ideas in the Other Activity Ideas section 

Step 3: Coordinate the Logistics

Set a date and time

   • This activity will take about two hours.

Secure a venue

   • If you plan to host this activity virtually, select a platform (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) accessible to the participants.

Assign roles and responsibilities

   • This activity requires volunteer facilitators.

Gather supplies

   • Create a list of supplies needed and arrange to acquire them in advance.

Spread the Word

   • Advertise the activity through various channels such as social media, email, and school announcements.

   • Send a reminder with important details prior to the activity.

Step 4: Facilitate the Activity

   • Run through Step 2 and Step 3 in advance and engage the participants throughout the activity.

   • Arrive early to set up for the activity.

   • Log in early and from a location with a solid and stable Wi-Fi connection if this will be a virtual activity. Encourage participants to keep their cameras on and mute themselves during the activity.

Step 5: Debrief and Thank Your Volunteers

   • Invite participants to discuss their experiences and capture lessons learned.

   • Thank everyone who contributed and participated.

   • Remind volunteers to record their hours through Volunteer Connection. 

Other Activity Ideas

   • Print copies of a map of your neighborhood and have attendees plan evacuation routes to get out of your neighborhood when zombies arrive.

   • Have participants download the Red Cross Emergency mobile app and make an emergency plan.

   • Hang a poster and ask people to write down zombie apocalypse survival tips—give prizes to those who share the best tips.

   • Decorate pillowcases and use them to create “zombie” disaster supply kits.

   • Have a contest for the best zombie costume. You can also award a “fan favorite” or best zombie hunter costume.

   • Create a trivia game of survival tips—create questions about all disasters, not just zombie apocalypses.

   • Have attendees create a Red Cross Emergency Contact Card.

   • Host a poster contest where students can design and create posters illustrating ways to be prepared.