Hey All,
Randal Bogathy (RandalB get it?) here. I coordinate (and come up with ideas, build stuff, do wiring, recruit volunteers, etc,etc, etc) a 100% charity haunt in Cedar Lake, Indiana. We have been using temporary venues to put on our 100% charity haunt for 6 years. Like most of our ilk, I started out as a home haunter with a yard display and was recruited by a neighbor to "make a haunted house" for the charity she volunteered for.
Our program has been steadily growing over the years and some new things we did for 2014:
1) 13 Rooms (10k sq ft of decorated space) with connecting hallways
2) Queue line entertainment
3) Low voltage lighting throughout
4) Independent Sound systems for individual rooms
5) Digital video effects
6) CC camera coverage
7) Photo op at exit (Selfie Station)
8) Comment Cards for self improvement and Ideas
We had a budget of $1500 and operated Four nights: 17,18,24 and 25 October from 7-9:30 PM. We had a net donation to our sponsoring charity of over $5000. We charge $5 per guest.
Utilizing a school gym presents some very challenging issues both Technological and Logistical.
Logistically speaking; Gym teachers and Athletic directors don't like to give up their space for very long. We were able to begin loading equipment in and building the haunt on October 14th at 3:00 PM with the opening of the attraction at 7:00 PM on the 17th.
On the 25th, after closing at 9:30 PM, we had to strike the attraction and remove everything for School on Monday the 27th. We were clear of the venue by 1:00 PM on Sunday the 26th.
Technologically speaking, we had to bring all the necessary support equipment and build the attraction keeping within fire code. We are inspected by State and local fire marshals with permits required to operate. We operated with no variances and 100% compliance with both fire and building codes.
As far as the entertainment goes, I think we put on a heck of a show. We use 100% volunteer actors that we recruit starting in August and train them along the way. We actually attracted a review group, Horror Tourers this year and got top ratings from them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXFikH9Qj0
So, now that I've run off at the keyboard long enough, I'd love to discuss the use of Temporary Venues and Charity Haunts with you guys. If you have questions, fire away. If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear 'em.
Our program has jumped a lot of hurdles over the last 6 years with a lot more to come. Looking forward to sharing with the forum
RandalB
Randal Bogathy (RandalB get it?) here. I coordinate (and come up with ideas, build stuff, do wiring, recruit volunteers, etc,etc, etc) a 100% charity haunt in Cedar Lake, Indiana. We have been using temporary venues to put on our 100% charity haunt for 6 years. Like most of our ilk, I started out as a home haunter with a yard display and was recruited by a neighbor to "make a haunted house" for the charity she volunteered for.
Our program has been steadily growing over the years and some new things we did for 2014:
1) 13 Rooms (10k sq ft of decorated space) with connecting hallways
2) Queue line entertainment
3) Low voltage lighting throughout
4) Independent Sound systems for individual rooms
5) Digital video effects
6) CC camera coverage
7) Photo op at exit (Selfie Station)
8) Comment Cards for self improvement and Ideas
We had a budget of $1500 and operated Four nights: 17,18,24 and 25 October from 7-9:30 PM. We had a net donation to our sponsoring charity of over $5000. We charge $5 per guest.
Utilizing a school gym presents some very challenging issues both Technological and Logistical.
Logistically speaking; Gym teachers and Athletic directors don't like to give up their space for very long. We were able to begin loading equipment in and building the haunt on October 14th at 3:00 PM with the opening of the attraction at 7:00 PM on the 17th.
On the 25th, after closing at 9:30 PM, we had to strike the attraction and remove everything for School on Monday the 27th. We were clear of the venue by 1:00 PM on Sunday the 26th.
Technologically speaking, we had to bring all the necessary support equipment and build the attraction keeping within fire code. We are inspected by State and local fire marshals with permits required to operate. We operated with no variances and 100% compliance with both fire and building codes.
As far as the entertainment goes, I think we put on a heck of a show. We use 100% volunteer actors that we recruit starting in August and train them along the way. We actually attracted a review group, Horror Tourers this year and got top ratings from them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXFikH9Qj0
So, now that I've run off at the keyboard long enough, I'd love to discuss the use of Temporary Venues and Charity Haunts with you guys. If you have questions, fire away. If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear 'em.
Our program has jumped a lot of hurdles over the last 6 years with a lot more to come. Looking forward to sharing with the forum
RandalB
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