Unique Eagle Scout project invites public to come out for a thrilling ghoul time

By Sharon Linschoten, with photos by Shannon Jones of Magna, Utah  - Having a hard time getting into the spirit of Halloween? Grab a couple of cans of food and head on over to the haunted bowery ( East side of the LDS church ) on the corner of Dalesend (2895 So.) and 8000 West for a real treat.

Monday, October 31st will be the last night that the zombies, skeletons, and a chilling line of ghoulish creatures of the night will crawl out of the shadows to give visitors a thrilling good time while making a big difference for struggling families here in the Magna Community Action Program (CAP) area.

"The Darkness Within" Haunted House - By Shannon Jones

The short, but very professionally guided tour was a howling success as 700 cans of food was donated in just the first couple of eerie nights the haunted house was open for a scary good time. The macabre group hopes to collect between 1500-2000 cans of food that will be donated to fill the shelves of the Magna CAP in preparation for the up coming cold months. Fifteen year old Jaysen Batchelor, a member of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Team #6982, had the unique idea to design and build a haunted house and talked his friends into providing the chills and thrills in order to help feed struggling families here in the Magna area for his BSA Eagle Project.

"The Darkness Within" Haunted House - By Shannon Jones

Jaysen worked hard for two and a half months getting around speed bumps. There were too many rules and regulations to rent a building for the purpose of his Eagle Project. Jaysen went to his bishop and was able to obtain permission to turn the Ward’s bowery (Pavillion) into the haunted house. He held yard sales to earn the $900.00 that went towards building materials and paint. Hours went into painting his design that greets those who dare enter his domain.

Solicited donations of costumes, make up, wigs, etc… from all across the nation arrived. Professional contractors lent their talents to help create an effective and safe structure.

Family and friends lined up for Jaysen to apply make up and gruesome scars to complete their costumes for a frightful good time. The last time to experience the thrill of Halloween is quickly coming to a close. Bring your little spooks, a generous offering of non-perishable food between the haunting hours of 7pm to 10pm for a howling ghoulish time.

More photos below in the Photo Gallery – Thanks to Shannon Jones and Will Rhea, both of Magna, Utah.

UPDATE: Monday, November 14, 2011 According to Deanne Jones of Magna, the Eagle Project was a huge success with over 2,400 cans of food being donated in the Magna Community Action Program (CAP) area!