EAGLE BUTTE, SD (October 22, 2012) — Halloween is just around the corner, and the staff and volunteers at the Cheyenne River Youth Project® aren’t going to let the holiday pass without some serious fun — and frights. ‘Tis the season for spooky movies, haunted house tours and those eagerly anticipated Ghoul-A-Grams.
The festivities kick off on Friday, October 26 with the Scary Movie Marathon at CRYP’s Cokata Wiconi Teen Center. Scheduled for 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., the marathon will feature “Poltergeist,” “The Ring,” “White Noise” and “Killer Klowns from Outer Space.” All four films are PG-13.
“We had the kids vote on which movies they wanted to watch,” said Megan Guiliano, CRYP’s youth programs director. “So they’re all really excited about the movies and having the chance to stay out until midnight with their friends in a real theater atmosphere.”
With the assistance of a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities grant, CRYP recently purchased a movie screen and theater-grade projector and sound system, enabling the organization to host movie nights on a large scale. That, Guiliano said, is a big deal when the teens live more than 90 miles from the nearest theater.
“Watching a movie on a big screen with all your friends is a very different experience from crowding around a TV set,” she commented. “Our teens need more options for the evenings. They want to have something fun to do in a safe, positive environment, and based on the excitement that’s building for our Scary Movie Marathon, I think this addition to our facilities is going to be a real success.”
Next, on Saturday, October 27, Cheyenne River’s young people will line up outside the doors to The Main youth center for the celebrated Annual CRYP Haunted House. Open free to all kids ages 6 to 18, the haunted house tours will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Rumors are already circulating that this will be the scariest haunted house in the history of The Main, which already has a reputation for creating scary, memorable Halloween attractions.
“This year’s theme is ‘CarnEvil,’ which really unleashed our staff members’ and volunteers’ creativity,” Guiliano said. “Our Power of Four teen leaders and other youth volunteers played a big role, too; we’ve had a lot fun preparing for the big day.”
CRYP typically sees 200 or more kids attend its annual haunted house, which makes The Main a major part of Cheyenne River’s Halloween celebration.
Finally, on Wednesday, October 31, staff and volunteers will offer their famous “Ghoul-A-Grams” throughout the Cheyenne River community. For $15, a gram can be sent to anyone, anywhere, on Cheyenne River; the ghouls will deliver the grams at 15-minute intervals from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The recipients also will receive goodie bags.
“This year, we’re amping things up a bit,” Guiliano revealed. “Our theme is ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia,’ so we’re going to have singing, dancing and live music with a fiddle, guitar and drums.
“It’s going to be a blast,” she added. “And it’s an important community-wide fundraiser to support our youth programming here at CRYP, so if you haven’t ordered your Ghoul-A-Gram yet, call us at 605-964-8200. It’s not too late!”
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project® and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project®, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.