Haunted attractions in Pennsylvania must now submit a child safety plan before minors can perform, prompting Field of Screams in Mountville, Lancaster County, to use adult actors only for its recent Halfway to Halloween event. “At Field of Screams, we are the leaders in the industry for safety and for a lot of things,” said owner Jim Schopf. Field of Screams, which has been in the scare business since 1993, says it has significant safety policies in place but chose not to rush the submission of the state’s newly required child safety plan in time for its May event. “We’ll just do ‘Halfway to Halloween’ adult-only, and we’ll save all that legwork,” Schopf said. Schopf emphasized that safety remains a priority for the attraction’s fall Halloween events and noted that the state has confirmed its compliance. “When the Department of Labor came out several times last year and did spot checks, they found zero violations,” Schopf said. For years, Field of Screams relied on unpaid volunteers, including children and adults, who Schopf said enjoyed being part of the scaring atmosphere. “It’s like a club, it’s like a team, it’s like a community. It’s a fun, safe, structured environment for kids and adults,” Schopf said. Schopf’s own children have worked at the attraction, and he highlighted the transparency of the process. “A parent can come to all our trainings, they can reach out to us,” Schopf said. This year, every actor at Field of Screams will have the opportunity to be paid.
Haunted attractions in Pennsylvania must now submit a child safety plan before minors can perform, prompting Field of Screams in Mountville, Lancaster County, to use adult actors only for its recent Halfway to Halloween event.
“At Field of Screams, we are the leaders in the industry for safety and for a lot of things,” said owner Jim Schopf.
Field of Screams, which has been in the scare business since 1993, says it has significant safety policies in place but chose not to rush the submission of the state’s newly required child safety plan in time for its May event.
“We’ll just do ‘Halfway to Halloween’ adult-only, and we’ll save all that legwork,” Schopf said.
Schopf emphasized that safety remains a priority for the attraction’s fall Halloween events and noted that the state has confirmed its compliance.
“When the Department of Labor came out several times last year and did spot checks, they found zero violations,” Schopf said.
For years, Field of Screams relied on unpaid volunteers, including children and adults, who Schopf said enjoyed being part of the scaring atmosphere.
“It’s like a club, it’s like a team, it’s like a community. It’s a fun, safe, structured environment for kids and adults,” Schopf said.
Schopf’s own children have worked at the attraction, and he highlighted the transparency of the process.
“A parent can come to all our trainings, they can reach out to us,” Schopf said.
This year, every actor at Field of Screams will have the opportunity to be paid.
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