Volunteer FAQ
Please contact SCARE for a CURE if you have more questions about volunteering for our 2009 Austin haunted house.
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?
What is the theme of the haunt this year?
Where should crew members park?
Is SCARE dangerous?
What about food and drinks? Will meals be provided for volunteers?
What if I forget/don't have any money?
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: scareforacure@austin.rr.com
Build/Tech/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 4 hours during build, 4 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, make-up artists, 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 will 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!
What is the theme of the haunt this year?
Join a team of paranormal researchers to explore the mysteries and horrors of Dunstan Manor. Experience first-hand a twisted tale of vampires, blood-lust, abominations, survival, and evil's quest for world domination. Do you have the courage and wits to save humanity, or will you end up as a snack at their victory party?
Where should crew members park?
Parking is available next to the carriage house and on the circular drive just below the entry gate. Do not under any circumstances park on the grass in any area.
Someone will be on site inside the gate to direct traffic. Please stop and sign in, and the gate-keeper will direct you to a parking place. Volunteers will be given instructions regarding where to park on run nights in order to leave space for SCARE guests.
Is SCARE dangerous?
Hmmmm... are you careful when using tools? Do you wear shoes in work areas? Do you walk into walls or trees? SCARE is a construction zone during build and strike, but we expect all crew members to be safety-conscious. We have people who are trained in first aid as well as a first aid kit on the premises. 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 2:00 pm. Please bring $3-5 to help offset the cost of providing food to volunteers. SCARE provides water and sports drinks during work and strike days and will provide dinner on run nights.
What if I forget/don't have any money?
Please eat anyway. We need our crew to be well fed and hydrated. You can bring money later, or help support volunteers meals in other ways.
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 a little paint on.
What should I bring to work days?
You should always bring $3-5 or something to eat, a water bottle, work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring your creativity and be prepared to sweat!
Does SCARE recycle?
Yes! We recycle glass and plastic as well as building materials.
What if I can't make it to a build day?
If you said you'd work on a specific project, please try to email the Volunteer Wrangler at volunteer@scareforacure.org. 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.
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