A Scout haunting
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on October 20, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Law Enforcement Explorer Scout Chris Wiggins prepares a grotesque clown for unit's haunted trail.
kballard@newsargus.com
Vanessa White, 10, clutches her mother as she walks through the woods -- what was that?
A tree moves closer.
They squeal as they duck under a spiderweb-covered branch.
Up ahead, a werewolf howls and snarls, waiting for fresh prey.
They are not out of the woods yet.
The Haunted Trail, hosted by the Law Enforcement Explorers, is chalk full of scares and nightmares with a snake pit, giant clown and hospital.
Vanessa and mom, Nicole White, were some of the first victims when the trail officially opened for the season. Also along for the scare were best friend Maddie Worrell and grandmother Sherry Hines.
It was the girls' first haunting.
"I like scary stuff," Maddie said, but that did not prevent her from screaming along with the rest of the tour group.
Explorer Chris Wiggins, 18, is part of the scary stuff.
A huge fan of haunted houses, he was perfect for his role in the hospital ward of the hospital trail.
This is his second year in the woods.
Chris loves acting the part, but says his performance depends on the audience.
"Some people will actually be scared and some just laugh at you," he said.
The Law Enforcement Explorers are part of Post 209, chartered through the Boy Scouts. The Explorers are boys and girls from 14 to 20 with an interest in law enforcement. They are voted into the group and required to maintain good grades.
But this fundraiser is just plain fun.
Explorer advisers Goldsboro police Captain Trey Ball and Michelle Rogers oversee the operation.
"It's an adrenaline rush," Ms. Rogers said.
The explorers dress in costumes and masks and head into the woods at 7 p.m. They will be out there Oct. 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and Nov. 1.
Rogers says that the Explorers enjoy scaring each other as much as scaring the guests. There are pranks and spooks throughout the nights.
"Everybody wants to be the chainsaw man," she said.
When they're not scaring, they go to regular meetings and are trained in anything law- enforcement-related like ride-alongs or traffic stops. This past summer, some of the Explorers went to Indiana for a conference.
The money raised at the Haunted Trail will go toward buying new uniforms and fundraising for future conferences. Ms. Rogers said the group wants to raise $4,000 this season.
The Haunted Trail is on the lot behind 405 Gateway Drive. Tickets are $5. Food and drinks are sold at "Cafe Creepy."