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It is fall again, and spooky season is right around the corner. For students still looking for fun activities to do for Halloween, there are plenty of local events to attend. Whether it is trick or treating, a haunted house or carving the perfect pumpkin, there is some-thing for everyone. 

The Psychology Club, the Viking Volunteers, and the Student Activities Council are all hosting or promoting various Halloween events and all students at Grand View University can participate in these activities. 

A great way to get your fill of frights is through the Psychology Club’s Haunted House event.

“There was a group of about five linemen on the football team… they were creeping around, afraid to go around the corner, so they were pushing each other to get around the corner,” Dr. Joshua Woods said. Woods, an Associate Professor of Psychology here at Grand View, works with the Psychology Club to put on this bone-chilling event. The hesitation of the terrified athletes sticks out to Woods as a hilarious memory. 

“It captures how much fun it is. It’s really fun working in the haunted house,” Woods said. 

This year, the haunt will be held on Wednesday, October 25 from 8-10pm in the basement of Rasmussen. 

“We’re just really excited, we’re trying to recruit as many people as we can to get involved,” Woods said. The more the merrier, so students are encouraged to check out this event. 

The Halloween season is also a great way for students to relieve stress and participate on campus. 

“We emphasize providing a safe environment where everyone feels welcomed,” Emma Webb said. Webb, along with Aldina Omerovic are part of Viking Volunteers, the on-campus group that hosts the annual Safe Trick or Treating event. This event takes place in the Henning Student Center the evening of October 22. 

“It’s for the Grand View community and the surrounding Des Moines community to bring family and kids to a safe place to treat or treat and play games,” Webb said. 

This event is a great way to have fun and meet new people, as well as help kids enjoy the holiday. 

Halloween is a holiday favored by children for its sweet treats and fun costumes, and the organizers of the Safe Trick or Treating event hope to make this come true. 

“They can’t play games very well, especially the little ten-year-olds, so it is just fun helping them play the games and win prizes,” Webb said. The focus of this event is to make sure kids, and families, have a great time.

 

All students are more than welcome to participate and get to know the local community by spreading positivity. Viking Volunteers hope to have more engagement this year, since last year participation was low. This is a great opportunity to not only make a difference, but to have fun while doing it. 

For students that would like to go somewhere off campus, there are still options. On-campus organizations like the Student Activities Council, or SAC, often post about free events for students. For example, SAC recently gave out free tickets to Center Grove Orchard for students that signed up. 

No matter how Halloween is celebrated, there is no denying the wide range of activities available. Each and every student can choose what they want to do this fall season. That could mean spending time with close friends, roommates, or even family. Or, it could involve branching out, meeting new people, and building relationships within the community. Regardless, the key ingredient in the Halloween potion is knowing to have fun and participate. 

The best way to stay on top of events on or near campus is by checking myGVU regularly and signing up early.