Fort Wayne tradition

Built by Volunteers.
Powered by Community.

Since 1980, St. Vincent Scouts—Troop 2 and Venture Crew 2802—have built and operated this Fort Wayne tradition with Scout families and other local Scouts.

Haunting Fort Wayne since 1980

More than a haunted attraction

A Local Story, Season by Season

The Haunted Castle & Black Forest began in 1980 as a St. Vincent Scouts project and grew into a fall tradition recognized by generations of Fort Wayne families.

What visitors see during October is the result of months of imagination, building and hands-on work by Troop 2, Venture Crew 2802, Scout families and other local Scouts.

Every operating night connects today’s guests with more than four decades of community memories while giving Scouts meaningful opportunities to lead, serve and create.

1980

Tradition begins

46+

Years of fear

100%

Volunteer run

Local

Fort Wayne proud

The People Behind the Haunting

The entire event is created and operated by St. Vincent Scouts, their families and other Scouts from the Fort Wayne area who give their time, skills and plenty of October evenings to make the season happen.

Youth leadership in action

The Scouts Behind the Haunting

St. Vincent Scouts Troop 2 and Venture Crew 2802 run the entire Haunted Castle & Black Forest operation. Every volunteer is a Scout, a member of a Scout family or another Scout from the local area.

  • ✦

    Scouts build teamwork, responsibility and confidence through real event roles.

  • ✦

    Scout families share technical skills, guidance and decades of event knowledge.

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    Other Scouts from the Fort Wayne area help create safe, memorable operating nights.

How a Haunting Season Comes Together

Long before the first guest enters, volunteers are already turning ideas into an operating attraction.

01

Build & Prepare

Repairing, constructing, painting and transforming familiar spaces into another year of nightmares.

02

Create the Scares

Developing characters, scenes, costumes, lighting, sound and the timing that brings each space to life.

03

Operate the Event

Staffing admissions, parking, guest flow, attractions, security support and countless behind-the-scenes roles.

04

Pass It Forward

Teaching the next group of volunteers and carrying hard-earned knowledge into another season.

The tradition continues

Fear is the show. Scouting is the foundation.

The Haunted Castle & Black Forest has lasted because St. Vincent Scouts, Scout families and other local Scouts keep showing up—for the work, for each other and for the Fort Wayne community that returns every fall.

Scout serviceYouth leadershipFort Wayne historyShared memories