Q: Are there membership dues?
A: No, not at this time, however this may change in future. Running Outer Zone as a non-profit still has expenses, and by our own charter and model, we do not collect a lot of money for the events and training we put on, and often operate at a loss. We seek to provide as much as we can to our members and participants, however simple economics may dictate membership dues or higher event and program costs in future. Get in now while it is inexpensive.
Q: Where does the money collected from events, training and merchandise go?
A: Back into to organization. It does not go to profiting any individual or group of individuals. When possible, artists are compensated or provided a meager royalty. Event costs go towards the actual logistical costs f holding the event, administrative fees to services or permits, ground vehicle transportation costs, specialty promotional items, program materials, etc.
Q: Are you a LARP group or role players or re-enactors??
A: No… We do not LARP as it is traditionally known or thought of… We prefer the acronym LATS for Live Action Training Scenarios (Or LAST, Live Action Scenario Training, when discussing apocalyptic themed events), which is more along the lines of most of our major themed events, which incorporate a fictitious back-story or event that provide the opportunity for problem solving and teamwork training, as well as practical skills development.
We don’t have traditional “role play” or character assignments, other than some mild impromptu for additional situational realism at events. Our events don’t focus on costumes or characters, but rather exploration, preparation and celebration. We do not re-enact anything, as we are training skills that aid in uncommon situations that have not occurred in fictional thematic settings… think of it as pre-enactment that is mildly scripted to insure safety and (mostly) predictable outcomes.
Q: Are you a militia?
A: No, absolutely not. We are a legal California non-profit corporation.
This corporation is a nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable and educational purposes.
The specific purpose of this corporation is to facilitate the learning and education of basic life saving skills and techniques when encountering catastrophic events such as natural disasters, nuclear, viral or bio-chemical threats, or other unforeseen detriments to public health and well being. The corporation is dedicated to the promotion of personal growth and learning through unique theme-based scenarios utilizing group and community activities to instill and reinforce the requisite knowledge, skills, and techniques through empirical experiences needed to increase the chance of survival in both common and unusual environments.
Q: You look militant… What is the deal?
We do not think we look militant, we believe we dress practical.
We do not have a universal “uniform” though several members and associates have “Z” logo shirts or wear the “Z-Core” or “V-Core” patch on BDU/Tactical gear by their own choice.
Some have chosen to get similar equipment and practical clothing as others in the organization for practical consistency. Some choose black (Night) some choose green camouflage, some desert. We often try to leverage bulk buys on such items, so it is natural that many members have the same or similar practical clothing for events. Retain your individuality by all means, but be practical as well. We go places few do, and do things that require a degree of durability… tactical gear and military surplus fit this function well, and economically.
Q: What are the organizations religious views?
A: The organization has none. The organization is composed of many individuals with differing perspectives. All are welcome. All views are tolerated so long as they are not pushed as an agenda at O.Z. functions, we are not the venue for providing a pulpit. The organizations first-most law of operation is respect.
Q: What are the organizations political views?
A: The organization has none. The organization is composed of many individuals with differing perspectives. All are welcome. All views are tolerated so long as they are not pushed as an agenda at O.Z. functions, we are not the venue for providing a pulpit. The organizations first-most law of operation is respect.
Q: What are the organizations governmental views:
A: The organization abides by the constitutional laws of nation, state, county and city. The organization has no “views”. The organization is composed of many individuals with differing perspectives. All are welcome. All views are tolerated so long as they are not pushed as an agenda at O.Z. functions, we are not the venue for providing a pulpit. The organizations first-most law of operation is respect.
Q: What is the law of the Outer Zone?
A: Respect.
Q: Where is the Outer Zone?
A: The Outer Zone is more of a state of mind than an actual location. When speaking geographically, it is typically associated to locations outside of the urban environment, or outside of the standard, day to day, business as usual urban environment. When one crosses the boundary of what is recognizes , charted and familiar into the unknown, uncharted and unfamiliar, they are said to be in the Outer Zone. This could be a desert, an island, a cave, an abandoned facility, a lost trail, a forgotten road, a secret city, a natural or unnatural wonder that is not commonly known.
Q: Where are/what are the waypoints in the Outer Zone?
A: They are everywhere… Some are mid points on a journey, that hold secrets and clues and lessons to be learned. Others are the final destination. Some take all the waypoints, some take none on way to a final camp spot. It is different for all at each Outer Zone event, and up to the individual what waypoints they participate in. Typically there is something of wonder at all waypoints tha make them worth while to the O.Z. program participant.
Q: Are you a Wasteland Weekend Tribe?
A: No. We are not a tribe. While O.Z.O. may use elements of creative fiction and back-story as a tool of edutainment in some of our events and programs, we work to insure that no two of our events have exactly the same theme or outcome. Our “universe” is not singular. We have multiple themes and multiple timelines.
W.W. is a “Post” apocalyptic subculture with emphasis on the fantasy and costume element. O.Z.O. focuses on “Pre” Apocalyptic realism in Exploration, Preparation, and Celebration. We do not hold our events annually, but usually every half year or quarterly. We have ongoing programs at a wide variety of locations, and we are always seeking new ones. Some of our chosen locations have a very “Post Apocalyptic” feel to them, and are used in our “Mini Nuke” or “Black Ops” events dependent on the chosen theme of the event. Remember, O.Z.O. is an educational non-profit that focuses on safety and survival themed training program events, not a desert costume festival or fan event. We are an organization, a corporation, a group, an entity, a family, but we are not a “tribe”. Some, however, say we are legion.
Those in any “Tribe” are welcome in the O.Z. so long as they follow the one and only law of the Zone, however don’t expect us to be a “Tribe”.
Q: Is information provided to Outer Zone Overnight(TM) used or distributed outside of outer-zone overnight?
A: No. We do not sell our mailing list or provide information to other organizations. It is important to note, however, that online tools used by this organization (Facebook, Google, Microsoft, etc…) have all been found to be collecting data, and using it any way they see fit by the small print of their End User License Agreements (EULA). Outer Zone Overnight takes no responsibility for information you submit to such online services or social media networks, or other online shopping cart tools or registration tools that may be used in orchestration of O.Z. events. If you are concerned, you need the read the small print when you use these tools, and act accordingly.
Outer Zone Overnight(TM) will comply with any legally provided subpoena or court order, however what little information we have on our members is really of little value to anyone considering the other means of data collection and correlation available today with target marketing. We encourage our members to be mindful of their online information and activity, and consider their privacy before committing any action online.
Q: Your disclaimers for Outer Zone Events and Programs are very harsh, stating that I might die at your events… why is that?
A: Because it is true. Just as you could slip on a bar of soap, get hit by a train, or be struck by lightening… we are not responsible for you and your actions or choices once you sign on to one of our events. It is up to you to be properly insured, and you are required to sign a waiver. You participate at your own risk, as you do with your every choice and breath in life. O.Z.O. does all that is can to provide the safest possible environment for the programs, events and activities we provide. We cannot and will not he held accountable for the dangers of the natural environment or actions and choices of you or others. We work to see that you are as informed as possible about the environment and what to expect.