Assignment 10 - Aislinn Langley

Zombies have attacked. Figures. My personal plan goes as follows.

Step 1: Determine why there are suddenly zombies. Where did the outbreak start? It stands to reason that densely populated cities would be the first to fall to roaming hoards of bloodthirsty (or brainthirsty, in this case) zombies. If the aforementioned wave of undead killers is not literally on your doorstep, continue with the plan.

Step 2: Grab the essentials. Canned, nonperishable food items are the way to go. Hit the basement and load up all the backpacking and camping gear available. It's also advisable to grab the hunting bows, old shot gun, and anything else that could be used in the way of weaponry. Do we know if zombism is airborne? Grab a surgical mask just to be safe.

Step 3: Assemble the team. Survival's the priority; now's not the time to get sentimental. Are the folks away? Sucks for them. Is your best friend pretty hopeless at outdoor survival and combat? That's too bad. Once equipment is loaded into a sturdy vehicle, see how many open seats you have. Subtract one in allowance for more supplies. This will likely leave you with two seats. Phone ahead to your most well-equipped friends and pick them up ten minutes later. Now's not the time to play favorites. Take who is of most value to you.

Step 4: Hit the road. Zombie outbreaks are the most dangerous in cities where people are all concentrated into one area. Your best shot is to hit the hills. Knowing the route to camp like the back of your hand will come in... handy. Up in the mountains and miles away from the nearest tiny town, the summer camp at which you spent your childhood is your best bet for a defensible base.

Step 5: Further assemble allies. You left many good people to die in your city. That's sad and deplorable, but this is a matter of life and death. The only other people that will be of use to you at this point are ones that know the terrain on which you'll be living. You need people who know nature and strategy and how to keep a level head in emergencies. You need... Other camp counselors. While you drive, get the friend in the passenger seat to call the camp ranger - your former boss. She'll know what to do. Other camp staff will undoubtedly already be on the way to camp. After all, you did plan for this during staff week. Zombie apocalypse preparedness and planning had fallen right between first aid training and outdoor cooking.

Step 6: Prepare defenses and commence further planning. When you arrive on camp, figure out who else is already there, and then jump right in with constructing a perimeter barricade or tallying food supplies. No need to make a big deal of introducing your friends to their new compatriots; names can easily be exchanged in the midst of preparation. Hold a brief meeting to establish rank and leadership. The last thing you need out here is dissension. Pool all resources (weapons, tools, food, clothing, batteries) and make plans for the long run.

Step 7: Get comfy. Once initial preparations are made, chill. You'll be here a while. Make sure defenses are all get in good shape, and make sure the ropes of the climbing tower - the likely place of your hypothetical last stand - are secure. But other than that, try to squeeze some amount of joy from nature and camaraderie, because times are about to grow extremely trying. It could take weeks or months or years, but the fight will come to you. You just have to be ready.