Et cetera : NCCC’s Maple 2 Spooks Wisconsin boys and girls for a good cause!

NCCC Maple 2's David Chernyshov scares children in the haunted house “caged animal” room.

By: Nicolette Koerner

AmeriCorps NCCC’s Maple 2 arrived in Hartland, Wisconsin on October 25, and immediately got to work to help keep Camp Whitcomb/Mason beautiful and functioning! The camp serves The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, and is a place where children can come to get away from the city, some of them even seeing stars for the first time.  It was not hard to see why this camp is so vital to many children’s lives, and as the staff puts it, there is a “camp magic” that Maple 2 was very excited to be a part of and keep present through their efforts.

Over a weekend, Maple 2 got an exciting task. The team was asked to serve at the camp’s haunted house and be a part of the camp’s annual Halloween weekend, in which over 60 kids came out. They get to see their counselors from summer, sleep in the cabins they usually do, and get a nice big scare. Some of the team dressed up in bloody shirts with fake chainsaws, while others were in the “animal room” clad in masks and costumes of caged animals. “It’s not every day that we are asked to help serve by scaring kids. It was a really fun and really incredible experience, and one I’ll never forget!” said team member Quincy Richard.

The team has also surpassed expectations of camp staff, and finished clearing invasive brush from three separate areas in just about a week. One area was interfering with drivers’ view of the sign at the main entrance, and another area was invading the back of the cabins where children stay frequently. The team is excited to continue serve with such a great organization, and cannot wait to see the end product!