For the first time, the American Red Cross serving Western North Dakota will offer its Prepare with Pedro preparedness program at the Dakota Zoo, bringing a beloved and effective youth emergency training to Bismarck kids. For added fun, the program will be held at the zoo’s penguin house that opened to the public in 2021.

“Youth preparedness is critical to strengthening local communities,” said Zoe Wergeland Manstrom, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Western North Dakota. "Prepare with Pedro is a stand-out program that we’re able to offer for free at schools and other youth-focused sites like the Dakota Zoo.”

Prepare with Pedro is a free, 30- to 45-minute collaborative presentation that provides K-2 students an introduction to the concept of emergency preparedness in a fun and educational way with Pedro the penguin. Using storytelling and hands on activities, students will build muscle memory as well as basic coping skills.

A take home Prepare with Pedro storybook, which includes a family safety checklist, will allow families to learn and repeat preparedness actions together at home.

Join the Red Cross at the Dakota Zoo from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. with Prepare with Pedro presentations starting at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. The Dakota Zoo is located on 602 Riverside Park Road in Bismarck. No registration is required. These trainings are free and open to all.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Our Minnesota and Dakotas Region serves 7.3 million people in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The American Red Cross is part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian disaster relief network around the world. This network includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) societies. The network is united by a shared commitment to seven Fundamental Principles, including humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. For more information, please visit redcross.org/mndaks.