AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – We are now fully into October and along with that comes spooky season.
Every year in Augusta, a haunted house gives teens a chance to gain volunteer hours while earning money for their organizations.
Steven Humphrey began with the United Volunteers of Maine’s Haunted House when he was just 13.
Humphrey is the Chairman of the Haunted House and the President at U.V.M.
“I got my first good scare, I made someone go to the bathroom on the floor, but I’ve also had people blow through the walls on my first year,” said Humphrey, who is the Chairman of the Haunted House and the President at U.V.M.
What you don’t see in between clowns, spiders, and witches is the work that’s put in to make the haunted house possible.
U.V.M. welcomes in kids from local organizations and schools to help out in order to gain volunteer hours and to bring back some money for their respective organizations.
“They’re in here scaring customers, making the haunted house, building the haunted house, decorating and just enjoying their time and it’s fun,” responded Humphrey.
Many volunteers, just like Steven, originally joined the project and fell in love with, at times, the scaring part of it.
“The first time they come to do a scare school, they were hooked,” stated Humphrey.
And also the creation of one of the rooms, many of which were entirely made by the volunteers.
“I’m not a decorator, they are,” added Humphrey. “They make their room, we get them the stuff they need, and they have fun.”
The kids walk away not only proud of being part of the haunted house, but their place in creating it.
“I’ve had parents come that are involved with the kids, and they are proud and they are happy,” responded Humphrey. “Putting a smile on some kid’s face when they walk out of the haunted house at night, that means the most to me. You’ve made their night.”
The haunted house is located on Marketplace Drive in Augusta, and Friday is opening night.
A full schedule of when they will be open, including some no scare days, can be found here.
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