Fun & frightful

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By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Photo by Adam Vogler

"Killer Clowns" Amie Wood, front, and Jim McKinley will be on hand to put some fright into the lives of those who walk down The Haunted Trail at Camp Alexander.

Children and adults who want to put a little fright into their lives can tour the Haunted Trail at Camp Alexander on Fridays and Saturdays in October.

And camp officials have planned a less-surprising trail experience for those who want life to be a little calmer.

Executive Director Sara Shaw said that the Haunted Trail will have some added features this year, with the help of a local woman who brought back ideas from haunted house conferences she attends.

“I can’t give away all of the new things we’re doing this year, but we have changed things up a little bit,” Shaw said.

“In the past we’ve had individuals hanging from ... the trees, all sorts of goblins and ghouls. We’ve had chainsaw people running around the woods. We’ve had gorillas, monkeys, clowns, cannibals, all sorts of great things.”

Camp officials will bring back the popular fog tunnel, sometimes called the smoke shack, with strobe lights and artificial fog.

“But there’ll be a surprise in that this year,” she said. “Can’t give that away, though.”

Shaw and her crew have made allowances for children and adults who don’t want the full-fright experience. Instead of sending them out with a glow stick for light, those participants will be given flashlights.

“If they have a flashlight, the rule of thumb is you don’t scare them,” she said. “If we see a glow stick, look out. We’re going to scare the heck out of them.”

Photo by Adam Vogler

Anthony, 4, right, Autumn, 8, and Anna Atchison, 6, are "The Sceamers" at The Haunted Trail at Camp Alexander.

The trail will be open from 8 p.m. to midnight through October. The cost is $7 per person, with children under 5 getting in free.

The Haunted Trail will not be accessible through the main camp property. Participants will need to go east on Interstate 35, take the County Road R1 exit, then follow the signs to the Trail.

More information may be had by calling 343-5595.