The rumors were flying. Haunt owners were running into trouble with the local Labor Boards. Is a neighborhood haunt required to pay the people working there? What if it is a non-profit haunt? What if it is a for-profit business?

Many haunts and hayrides survive because of the dedication of volunteers. They do it with love: love of scaring folks, love of Halloween, and love of having fun! It would be great if the haunts made a big enough profit to pay their volunteers, but some haunts do not. In fact, most haunts would not get off the ground without them.

How can haunt owners comply with the requirements of the Labor Board? How can haunt owners reward their volunteers? How can volunteers have something to show for all their hard work?

College credit!

Last year, the Spooky House Haunted Theme Park in Los Angeles, California piloted the 2-DAI-4 Program. Volunteers received college credit exclusively through Los Angeles Trade Technical College, a public, 2-year community college. The college is located 45 minutes from the Spooky House, but the volunteers were never required to step foot on campus.

The 2-DAI-4 Program gives one to three units of college credit to volunteers in the Dark Amusement Industry. The "students" sign up for units based on their time commitment: 1 unit for 18 hours, 2 units for 38 hours, or 3 units for 54 hours. The units are fully transferable to the 4-year universities (including California State University and the University of California) or can be counted back toward high school graduation credit. California residents pay $11 per unit (non-residents pay an additional $141 per unit), and high school students' fees are waived. Because the "class" does not meet on campus, the mandatory California health fee was also waived for every student.

"This is a way in which we can adequately staff our three attractions without overextending our budget," stated Spooky House owner Bob Koritzke. Every September, the Spooky House has a barbeque to introduce the staff, discuss assignments and schedules, and generally pump up the volunteers for another exciting season. Each volunteer was given a full-color brochure, college application, 2-DAI-4 contract, and a high school enrollment form (for those still in school). "To encourage the volunteers to sign up, I paid all their enrollment fees," Koritzke said. This amounted to $11-$33 per student. They were asked to bring in proof of their Social Security number so the forms could be filled out on the spot.

The biggest challenge was working with the high school students. They needed a special form signed by a parent/guardian and a high school counselor. The brochures explained the purpose of the program, and this was usually enough for the counselors to sign the form, but many students were nervous about speaking to their counselors. Some parents and counselors needed reassurance that the program would fill the students' needs for elective graduation credit.

The 2-DAI-4 contract outlined the students' responsibilities: their grade would be based upon fulfilling the units' associated time commitment. In the past the volunteers at the Spooky House came and went as they pleased, but the operation has grown to the point where they need to know who is working in each area of the House (or Devil's Gulch or Nightmares in 3D) and when their shifts end. The costume room seemed to be the best place to track the volunteers' hours. As they checked out a costume then checked it back in at the end of the night, they were essentially clocking in and out.

At the end of the season, with props stored and buildings secured, the volunteers' hours were tallied. The majority put in more than their required commitment and received an "A" in the class.

It was a clear win for the volunteers, a win for the Spooky House, and a win for a college looking to increase enrollment.

This year the 2-DAI-4 program will continue at the Spooky House Haunted Theme Park and will be available to other haunts. It is ideal for California haunts because of the lower fees for residents. Out-of-state haunts might also find that the program suits their needs. If one "volunteer" were to be paid minimum wage for the months of September and October, he/she might cost the haunt over $600. The three-unit 2-DAI-4 course would cost only $456.

Although other community colleges have not worked directly with the Dark Amusement Industry, it may be possible to set up a similar program. Most colleges offer directed studies or service learning credit for volunteers in the community, often for time spent in hospitals, clinics, soup kitchens, or community organizations. Ask the college's Theater department or Academic Affairs office if they would be willing to work with your haunt to create a program.