Wayzata Students Help Make Hamel Lions’ Haunted Acres Frightfully Fun
When the sun goes down, it’s showtime at Corcoran Lions Park. Members of the Hamel Lions Club and more than 100 Wayzata High School student volunteers transform a sleepy machine shed and serene country park into the “Haunted Acres.”
“We had about a month to get ready for this. We usually start preparing in July,” said Linda Herkenhoff of the Hamel Lions.
Herkenoff and a handful of other Lions are some of the masterminds behind Haunted Acres.
“One of the key things is to get your timing right,” said one of the Lions instructing the students, who come from Wayzata’s Club YES, the school’s youth service program.
Wayzata senior Aadi Agrawal helps coordinate the student volunteers. Besides helping with the haunted house, Club YES does outreach with other entities like Plymouth nonprofit Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners, The Birches retirement community in Plymouth and the Three Rivers Park District.
“So we help out at any events that we can. And here they need a lot of volunteers for the monsters running around. Running the haunted house. So we’re perfect for that,” said Arnav Gupta, another Wayzata senior.
For those brave enough to enter Haunted Acres, the cost is $10. All of the money raised will support various food shelves.
“I’m just grateful that we have the opportunity to give back to the community that’s raised us since we were little,” said Jack Ross, a Wayzata senior.
“I like that you have many opportunities to volunteer for different communities and different people. And you really get to impact the whole community that way,” said Jack’s younger sister, Kate Ross.
Wayzata High School student members of Club YES help staff the Haunted Acres at Corcoran Lions Park.
Haunted Acres is open every Friday and Saturday night through the end of October.
