An Experience of a Lifetime

I love zombies! I don’t know why they fascinate me so much. It could be the fear they invoke from the sounds they make, or the thought of no longer having the ability to think for yourself, loosing control over your body and mind, in combination with how badass the heroes and heroines look when they are smashing in a skull on television and in the movies (albeit the Butcher would find something illogical in the way they were doing it, because of the density or mass of the skull, or something). Either way, I’m obsessed. So when my friends pitched in to send me to Zombie Survival Camp (ZSC) for my 30th birthday, I was both excited and nervous. Nervous because I hate camping and hate the heat. Excited because, well it's zombies. However, after scoping out the ZSC website, I was hooked.

[Once I got to camp] I felt completely in my element. As did every other participant. When they say this camp is for every adult, with every body type, and any skill level, they truly mean it. I am not a good runner, but I ran. However, many people didn’t. You are taught ways to distract and avoid the living dead. You use the skills you excel at to assist the team in surviving as a group. You also learn a lot about the person you are, compared to the person you thought you were. I came up with a hierarchy of who I would sacrifice when “shit hit the fan,” the weak and arrogant would be first to go. However, the day of the outbreak, although my mind wanted me to leave people behind, my heart made me care for and assist those in need, something I didn’t think was at the core of my being. I have learned tangible skills that will help me out if any apocalyptic situation should arise. There is a spot for everyone in the apocalypse, even you!

The camp changed my life, because although I still don’t love the heat, I can manage it. I have become more active, more involved in taking part in activities that are of interest to me, instead of making my career my main focus. I am trying out activities I never thought I would be doing and enjoying them. I am feeling a lot better about myself and more optimistic about life, and what is truly important, I have rearranged my priorities to focus on me. It’s funny how one weekend can have such a positive impact on your thoughts and feelings. The worst part of my experience was going back to my nine-to-five job, and experiencing Zombie Survival Camp withdrawal (it’s a real thing).

Lindsay Grazier is a Zombie Survival Camp Veteran, having just travelled to Manitoba to attend her 2nd camp while also earning the BORG AWARD for showing great strength, resilience and adaptability.