Volunteer Information and FAQ
Interested in volunteering but not sure what to expect? Here are the details.
Your First Day
Come on out to our build site!
We’re located behind the J. Lorraine Ghost Town at 14219 Littig Road, Manor, TX (View on Map)
How it works when you get on-site:
- Stop by the Grub Shack to meet the managers.
- Scan the QR code or ask for help to access the sign in app and waivers.
- You will need to fill out a volunteer and Covid waiver – if you’re under 18, please have parent or guardian bring you the first time.
- Children are welcome but need to be accompanied by an adult.
- After you fill out your paperwork, we’ll put you to work with other volunteers.
- Lunch will be served around 1:00.
- Cleanup of the site will happen just before and after lunch.
- For evening shifts – you will report to the job board to sign in and fill out paperwork if necessary and then we’ll put you to work. Light dinner food may be available.
What to Bring
- Water bottle
- Work gloves
- Tools (optional) – please label with your name
- Bandanas, headbands, chill rags or cooling neck ties as it can be very hot and sweaty work
What to Wear
- Sturdy closed toe shoes (no flip flops)
- Comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty
- A hat
- Sunscreen
What Skills are Needed?
No specific experience or skills are required to volunteer. We can always use help with things like:
- Putting up wall flats
- Making wall flats
- Painting
- Various smaller projects
- Basic landscaping
- Weed eating
- Repairing trails
- Minor brush clearing
Training may be available in using power and hand tools, painting techniques, basic build projects, and more.
Volunteers are also needed to help feed our crews – both to provide food; and set it out and clean up after.
What does SCARE Provide?
We will generally have the following available on site:
- Jugs of ice water to fill bottles from
- Work gloves
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Snacks/lunch
You will also have an opportunity to buy a SCARE for a CURE work shirt at cost – currently $10. (Gray and/or Pink t-shirt with SCARE for a CURE logo on the front available in adult sizes.)
Please contact us if you have any questions not answered here.
We look forward to meeting you!
Frequent Questions
- What do volunteers do?
- Who do I contact to volunteer or act?
- Can I be an actor or a “booscare”?
- I only have a little time, but really want to be involved – can I help?
- I want to help, but I don’t know how to [insert skill here]. Can you still use me?
- I’m only 12. Can I be an actor?
- Can I get credit for my volunteer hours?
- What do I need to tell my parents if I am younger than 17?
- Can I get a ride to SCARE?
- How can I get my organization involved?
- Is SCARE dangerous?
- What about food and drinks? Will meals be provided for volunteers?
- What should I wear to work days?
- What should I bring to work days?
- Does SCARE recycle?
- What if I can’t make it to a build day?
- Do I have to sign up for work days?
- How can I remove “blood” and “slime” stains?
What do volunteers do?
We have places for volunteers across all skill levels, so there’s something for everyone. The haunted house is built and supported by legions of helpers, including painters, builders, makeup and costume specialists, logistics assistants, electricians, safety/first aid personnel, sound and lighting techs, ticket takers, message runners, and many more. As a non-profit, SCARE for a CURE also needs help with fundraising, marketing and promotion, custom web projects, meeting and party logistics, and many other on-going organizational functions.
Who do I contact to volunteer or act?
Actors: casting@scareforacure.org Build/Tech/Makeup/Costumes/FX/General: volunteer@scareforacure.org
Can I be an actor or a “booscare”?
Sure, but it involves a commitment. You must commit to work at least 8 hours during build, 8 hours during strike and to being at the haunt Halloween night! If you have a major role, you must commit to acting on all run nights!
I only have a little time, but really want to be involved – can I help?
Absolutely! We have many, many opportunities that do not require a large commitment of time. We need publicists, photographers, carpenters, painters, electricians, seamstresses, cooks, fund raisers, people to build, run and strike the show as well as actors. Contact us at volunteer@scareforacure.org and tell us what you can do!
I want to help, but I don’t know how to [insert skill here]. Can you still use me?
Fear not – we can train you! Ever wanted to learn how to make styrofoam look like rocks? Mix up homemade stage blood? Create custom dental appliances? Play with lighting? Apply professional grade theatrical makeup? Use power tools? Turn a 6-foot human into a 9-foot demon? Build stuff? SCARE for a CURE can use volunteers with all talents and skill levels, and we will be only too happy to find you a job!
I’m only 12. Can I be an actor?
Indeed, you can. We’ll want your parents to talk to us about how things will work.
Can I get credit for my volunteer hours?
Yes! School credits, community service, etc. …just bring your paperwork and we’ll sign your hours.
What do I need to tell my parents if I am younger than 17?
Your parents need to know that, on run nights, you may be needed on site up to 1-1/2 hours before we open, and for up to two hours after we let the last patron in, because it takes patrons at least a half hour to go through the haunt.
Can I get a ride to SCARE?
Everyone is responsible for their own travel arrangements to the site. However, we have been notified by a few volunteers/cast members of possible transportation limitations and parking is limited at the site, so please carpool if possible. We want everyone to enjoy SCARE for a CURE, and will help match riders and drivers. Need a ride? Email volunteer@scareforacure.org, subject line: “RIDE NEEDED.” Include your name, phone number, and location, and schedule. Can give someone a ride? Email volunteer@scareforacure.org, subject line: “RIDE AVAILABLE.” Include your name phone number, location, and confirm when you are available.
How can I get my organization involved?
Volunteering for SCARE is a fun, unique, and creative team-building activity. Contact us at volunteer@scareforacure.org to get involved!
Is SCARE dangerous?
SCARE is a construction zone during build and strike, but we expect all crew members to be safety and health-conscious. You may encounter stinging insects and spiders. You need to be aware at all times that you may become sunburned, dehydrated or heat-exhausted. We have people who are trained in first aid as well as a first aid kit on the premises. There is also adequate shade and drinking water. Underage volunteers will be supervised while working.
What about food and drinks? Will meals be provided for volunteers?
There will be a meal provided at every regular scheduled work day, usually around 1:00 pm. Please consider bringing a small donation to help offset the cost of providing food to volunteers. We do get many meals donated by sponsors, but not all. SCARE provides water and sports drinks during work and strike days and will provide dinner on run nights.
What should I wear to work days?
Comfortable clothes appropriate for working outdoors and sturdy closed-toed shoes. We know it’s hot, but there may be poison ivy or poison oak in some areas on the property, so we suggest wearing long pants rather than shorts. There will be many opportunities to brush up against wet paint, fake blood, and other substances that don’t wash out easily, so we recommend clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.
What should I bring to work days?
You should always bring a water bottle, work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring your creativity and be prepared to sweat!
Does SCARE recycle?
Yes! We scavenge for and re-use all kinds of building materials to build our haunt each year. We also have recycle bins at the build site for aluminum, glass and plastic.
What if I can’t make it to a build day?
If you were planning to show up but did not have a specific project to work on, we hope to see you next time.
Do I have to sign up for work days?
No! Just show up, and we’ll put you to work. We’d love it if you could drop us a note and let us know you’re coming so we’ll know how many volunteers we need to feed, but “drop-in” volunteers are always welcome. We do ask you to sign in when you arrive and log your volunteer hours to help us keep track of the time required to present our haunt.
How can I remove “blood” and “slime” stains?
We WARNED you not to wear your good clothes! You can reduce the chance of skin staining from our stage blood by moisturizing your skin or applying a product such as “Gloves In A Bottle” before contact. “Blood” stains can be removed from skin using makeup remover or olive oil. For clothing, we suggest washing as soon as possible in hot water. “Slime” can be removed with a mild acid such as white vinegar.