Volunteer Orientation 2026

What is Gothic Hills Cemetery?

• Gothic Hills Cemetery is a free halloween event meant for families to enjoy during the Halloween (and sometimes Christmas) season.
• The event includes elaborate decorations, activities and a small walk-through haunted house*.
• Although the haunted house tends to be scarier than other elements, it is still family friendly.
• At this time we do not use live actors in our haunt, just computerized special effects.

*Walk through haunt is closed certain years.

What is the Gothic Hills Foundation

• A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Charity.
• The “producer” of Gothic Hills Cemetery.
• All monetary donations are tax deductible and help pay for Gothic Hills Cemetery.
• The organization manages our volunteers and partners.
• Adds a mission to our Halloween event:

Gothic Hills Cemetery Mission Statement

�The mission of the Gothic Hills Foundation is to enrich our local community by using our free family events to connect local charities with much needed support from our neighbors and mentoring area youth who are interested in learning creative production skills. Through our work, we collect resources to distribute to our charitable partners such as food banks and animal rescue shelters, and get the community involved with the charities themselves.

How Do We Help the Community?

Each year, we provide a free event for people and families to enjoy.

Instead of charging a fee for a ticket, we ask that each person bring a donation of a non-perishable food item or pet supply to donate to our charity partners.

To date, we’ve collected and donated over 4000 lbs of food and supplies since 2016, averaging over 500 lbs per year.

Our goal for 2023 is to collect 700 lbs!

The History of Gothic Hills Cemetery

Gothic Hills Cemetery began as simple halloween decorations around 2008.

In 2012, we added our popular “witch kitchen” display.

By 2015 we had a full walk-through haunt, but not really any story.

In 2016, after a trip to London we introduced the Fitzroy story and had a much more elaborate haunted house. We started to get attention from press and bloggers. Our popularity grew to hundreds of people visiting.

In 2021, we once again moved locations, this time to Riverside. Riverside is almost 2 hours away from our old family crew. Since I was on my own, I decided to focus on upgrading the graveyard scenes.

Excitement grew and we saw over 1200 visitors in 2021 and again in 2022.

First, what is the time commitment?

• We don’t follow a strict attendance policy. There is no minimum commitment.
• We do ask that volunteers try to give about 8 hours a week, but we understand everyone has a life.
• This equates to about 1 weekend day, or 2 weeknight sessions a month.
• We don’t keep records for attendance purposes but if you want to earn milestone rewards, you’ll be asked to sign in/out. The more hours you give, the more you earn!
• This year, we’ll begin building in August and the schedule will be light. 2024, we’ll start in June and we’ll have a more rigorous schedule.

Building The Haunt

Building the haunt involves:

• Construction and assembly of set pieces, systems and props.

• Scenic Painting

• Decoration (“set dressing”)

• Installation of technical systems like lights, sound and special effects.

• Prop design and fabrication.

• Site maintenance, like cleanup or preparation, and organization.

You do not need experience! But sometimes it is hard work!

Event Production Crew

When the building phase is done, we switch to the ‘event’ phase. Often the same members take over new roles.

• Crowd control

• Technical crew/HauntOps

• Front of House

• HauntOps Support

• Info table/sales

Certain specializations or leadership roles will be available over time.

Volunteer Milestones & Rewards

Currently there are 8 levels of milestones for volunteers to earn. Each level comes with certain perks and rewards.

You can view the rewards and track your on the Volunteer Hub at any time.

If you are in need of community service hours, we’re also happy to give you credit.

We’re also working on a mentorship program where you’ll formally learn new skills and earn “badges” for each skill.

Volunteering should be a rewarding experience for all, both by making new friends and memories and developing skills and passions.

Volunteers also have the privilege of becoming members of CalHauntS and IE Haunters, to social clubs for haunters only.

The New VolunteerHub

• View and sign up for the upcoming volunteer days.
• Track your volunteer hours.
• View and order your volunteer rewards.
• See contact information.
• Multiple Emails?

www.GothicHills.com/VHub

Tracking Your Time

• You can go to the hub to tap “Clock In/Out” or scan the sign at the workday.
• Your username is your email address that you signed up with.
• Your password is your zip code. I recommend you change it to something stronger.

The Future of Gothic Hills Cemetery

2026 - Rebuilding and Regrouping.

After a long hiatus and setbacks, for 2026 we plan on rebuilding, regrouping and putting some shine on the improvements we already made for the front cemetery.

First, we will be preparing for the season by cleaning up the work areas and triaging damage by the storms. We’ll then get to planning the projects for Halloween.

We will be expanding our event to include a REAL pumpkin patch where guests can purchase home-grown pumpkins to benefit Gothic Hills Foundation.on.

We will be adding our Nightmare Before Christmas overlay for the holiday season.

2027 - A Rebirth

2027 will see the return of the walk-through haunted house of the Fitzroy story, going back to reboot the 2016 storyline with improvements and upgrades and full operation. Set 5 years prior to today, this story covers the accidental discovery of the long-abandoned Fitzroy crypt. After a group of urban explorers stumble upon Balthazar Von Pumpernickel, who had gotten there first, attempting to rob the tomb, together they inadvertently release Julius Fitzroy’s spirit from his prison.

2028 and beyond…

In 2028 we hope to revisit the 2nd episode in the Fitzroy storyline, which originally played out in 2019, again with improvements.

We will explore a return to exhibiting the haunt at Midsummer Scream.

Set in modern day Gothic Hills, the recent discovery of the Fitzroy tomb has sparked new interest in the historical cemetery, and The Gothic Hills Historical Society has formed to protect and manage the property. While giving tours of the tomb restoration project, Julius decides to wreak a little havoc on the project.

We hope to launch a fictional full production YouTube series called Balthazar’s Campfire Stories to be produced during the off-season and keep momentum and interest in GHC.

Who the Hell is “Balthazar”?

• Balthazar is a ghoulish grave robber who haunts Gothic Hills.
• His calling card reads: “Procurator of Questionable Curiosities & Specialist in the Descrete Disposal of the Dubious and/or Dastardly.”
• Unofficial GHC Mascot.

More Gothic Hills

• Check out our YouTube channel for video of previous years and more.
• www.YouTube.com/@GothicHills
• Volunteering is better with friends. Please ask anyone you know to sign up!
• Especially need strong lifters!

R.I.P. Volunteer Orientation