Thread: Rules for home haunt actors

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This year is the first year I'll have more than just my son working my home haunt. I'm going to have 5 people total, and they're all teens, so figured I should put together a list of rules for them (common sense and teen don't usually go together). Here's what I have so far. What else do I need to add to my list?

1. Don't touch anyone
2. Don't get too close (5' rule)
3. Don't chase anyone
4. Don't scare the little kids
5. No foul languate
6. Don't break character

Those sound like the main ones, the only thing I have to make mine swear to is that they will stay the whole time even if it slows down, I hate them wanting to leave and go to a party or something. Don't say you'll do it if you really don't plan to commit.

Remind them several more times about language and not touching.

LOL yeah, I was gonna say 'emphasize the no-touching part about 10 more times' based on that other thread with what I'm assuming is a kid wanting to grab people. Bad, bad idea.

Honestly - we've always had teens and they've done great. It was the people coming through we had to watch out for! Especially if the teens that were working had been telling all their friends about the haunt. Make sure everyone is on the same page about no fooling around in the haunt. Lots of kids will do stupid things because they know their friends (your workers) are watching.

Stacy

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm pretty confident in the group of kids I'll have at my haunt, but reminding them of the rules a few times definitely can't hurt! It's a yard haunt only, so I'll be in the front helping to control any rambunctious teens that happen by. I'm pretty excited!

Nice rules but I am short on actors right now... I only have 2 on the roster so far...

Originally Posted by tekcor1

This year is the first year I'll have more than just my son working my home haunt. I'm going to have 5 people total, and they're all teens, so figured I should put together a list of rules for them (common sense and teen don't usually go together). Here's what I have so far. What else do I need to add to my list?

1. Don't touch anyone
2. Don't get too close (5' rule)
3. Don't chase anyone
4. Don't scare the little kids
5. No foul languate
6. Don't break character

Originally Posted by tinafromidaho

Those sound like the main ones, the only thing I have to make mine swear to is that they will stay the whole time even if it slows down, I hate them wanting to leave and go to a party or something. Don't say you'll do it if you really don't plan to commit.

These are very good IMO., We've used actors (usually teens) for the past several years and we tell them what we expect and what to expect. We've never had a problem. I remind them that if something comes up that they're not sure about to let me or another adult know and not take matters into their own hands.

And no assaulting the visitors. When I worked a hayride at a ranch haunt fest, a father-daughter team worked the spooky clown circus tent. They thought it was funny to spray me and the visitors with water from their giant squirt guns. Not cool. No scares or surprises that don't end when you're away from the haunter. That's my rule.

I don't have teen workers and the 5 foot rule wouldn't work for me because the halls of my haunt are only 4 feet. But I have a rule or rather a suggestion for them. Don't jump out and scare the group in the front. Try to make sure to time stuff so that you don't get a bottle-neck effect. Focus more on the last half of the group. (I only send them through no more than 5 at a time.) Especially, teen girls. I have had so many times when they just wouldn't go forward or go back they were just stuck. I hate that cause then I have to go find them.