Skeletons, dinosaurs and more attend Bomazeen’s Haunted Woods

BELGRADE – Ghouls and skeletons, as well as aliens, princesses and dinosours, were spotted skulking through the woods of Belgrade on Oct. 1. But there is no cause for public alarm – they were all gathered for the annual Haunted Woods program at Camp Bomazeen.
“Haunted Woods is a lot of fun,” said Bomazeen Camp Director Julie McKenney, of Belgrade. McKenney runs the summer programs at the camp and is also program

chair for the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting, which puts on the costumed event for both the Scouts and the general public. “It is a great way to show off the camp and the programs of Scouting. Kids love to get into costumes and spend a day here at camp running the obstacle course through the graveyard (ball field decorated with fake headstones and body parts), going through the haunted house at the dining hall and trying their hand at BB gun shooting. Lots of parents came dressed in costumes too this year. I am not sure if they had more fun or if their kiddos did.”
Violet LeBlanc, 4, dressed as a dinosaur, said that her favorite activity was decorating the pumpkins. She attended with her father, Brett LeBlanc, of Winthrop. Brett is the assistant Leader of the Scout program in Manchester, and his daughter will join next year, when she will be old enough to be a Lion.
Campion Poulin and his father, Joe Poulin, of Oakland, ran the archery range. Campion dressed as a skeleton. Joe Poulin is Pine Tree Council training chair and enjoys teaching adult, as well as youth, such as Princess Ella Poulin (not related) of Sidney, how to use a bow and arrow safely. Ella is joining Cub Scouts this year as a Lion. Lion is the youngest level of Scouting. Boys and girls must be at least in kindergarten to join.
Liam Casey, dressed as video game character Mario, and a Tiger Cub in Pittsfield Pack 428, said, “The haunted house was a lot of fun.”
Brody Dyer-Dolley, dressed as a doctor, attended with his father, Jacob Dolley.
“I didn’t get scared,” Brody said after leaving the haunted house. He is a member of Augusta Cub Scout Pack 684, which had a family camping weekend at Bomazeen and used the Haunted Woods as the Saturday portion of their activities.
Scouts and leaders from Augusta Troop 603 dressed up as evil creatures inside the haunted house and served as guides.
In all, more than 100 youth and adults from across central Maine attended the event.

BELOW: Ella Poulin, of Sidney, gets an archery lesson from Joe Poulin (no relation) of Oakland. Brody Dyer-Dolley, 5, dressed as a doctor, attended with his father, Jacob Dolley. Brody is a member of Augusta Cub Scout Pack 684. Liam Casey, 6, Palmyra, and a member of Pittsfield Pack 428, was ready to set off on the hayride dressed as Mario. (Submitted photos)