Scary Halloween

“Trick or Treat!”

For nearly 14 years, as we lived full time in our RV in remote locations on different National Wildlife Refuges around the country, we never heard those words. And now that we have acquired a residence in a 55 plus community near Phoenix, Arizona, for winter living, we probably still won’t hear them.

In the Park

Generally, we volunteer at White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell, Arizona; but a week before Halloween, we were invited to take our snakes and skulls to an evening Halloween event at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear, Arizona, another of the Maricopa County Regional Parks. At this spooky festivity, we heard “Trick or Treat!” many times, and each time brought smiles to our faces.

Be Scary and Educate

Our presence with snakes and skulls, of course, was to “scare” the kiddies, as well as educate, because Halloween is, of course, a frightening occasion. But kids these days are battle hardened and difficult to intimidate.

That night, we set up on two tables – one that Chuck manned with the snakes, and one that I staffed with my skulls. We were given a couple large bags of candy to hand out. We were also each given a lantern to shed a bit of light on our subjects and perhaps even make them spookier. On this calm, warm, dark evening, the lanterns attracted a plethora of assorted insects that flitted enthusiastically around the light.

Arrival

Finally, the first group of children arrived with their bags and plastic pumpkins to collect their booty. “Trick or Treat!” they called out as they approached. I picked up the mountain lion skull, opened its jaws, and held it toward the smallest member of the group. “I can fit your whole head in here!” I warned him as I advanced toward him displaying the puma’s open mouth full of dagger-like canines and razor-sharp molars.

Rather than backing off in terror, the youngster pointed to the lantern covered with insects. “Wow!” he exclaimed.  “Look at all the bugs!”

A Reminder

I was reminded of school tours we led at the Denver Zoo as docents. We could be talking about endangered okapis or enormous Komodo dragons or lumbering Asian elephants, but many of the children were enthralled instead with the squirrels running free on the grounds.

Inspecting Bugs

I glanced at the light and wondered how many of these Trick-or Treaters spent much time outside at night to witness a congregation of bugs such as these surrounding the lantern, some of them even scarier than the skulls and snakes were meant to be.

So while I continued to demonstrate different skulls to approaching goblins, I encouraged them to take time to marvel over the swarm of creepier subjects as well. After all, Halloween is about scary stuff, isn’t it?

Trick or Treat!

8 thoughts on “Scary Halloween”

  1. Betty,
    I enjoyed this article not only because you always have interesting topics, but also because your experience with the children’s unexpected interest in the bugs brought back nice memories of groups of young children. You are a good teacher! You caught the teachable moment. Only the best teachers have this gift!
    Hope both of you are well and enjoying a wonderful fall.

    Reply
  2. Hello Betty and Chuck
    Hope those trick or treaters disposed of their candy wrappers appropriately.
    Always nice to read your updates.
    Does having a home mean you’re cutting back on travels ?

    Reply
    • Hello Charmaine,

      The trick or treaters, besides disposing of their trash properly were also very polite and a pleasure to meet. We appreciate your keeping in touch over the years with your great comments!
      Our travel schedule has been somewhat reduced since we now have a residence NW of Phoenix. We are volunteering with Maricopa County parks, namely the White Tank Park near us. Doing some interpretation with our snakes and helping out for special events like the Halloween gatherings. We will still volunteer at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY for the next couple summers, but we are learning that there are plenty of volunteering opportunities in our own backyard!
      Our best wishes to you and your great family!!

      Reply

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