Why Not to Take Kids to a Haunted Ship

The boys birthdays were this month. Originally, Sean was going to have a scavenger hunt through the neighborhood. I spend one afternoon at work (the phone doesn't ring) planning this scavenger hunt party. I had the clues made up and was ready to enlist some of the neighbors to help.

I came up with the idea of taking Patrick's friends to visit the USS Salem. Originally it was supposed to be a typical tour of the ship~learn the history, etc., etc. It then turned into this http://www.hauntedship.com/ .

Patrick loved the idea, and when Sean learned what we were doing, he wanted in as well. Scavenger Hunt party and all the work put into it (while mommy was at work)...scrapped.

Ok, so a haunted tour of the USS Salem it is. I checked with some parents and they seemed to think it was ok.

Off we went the night of the party. I dragged the kids out of my house where they were happily playing with Nerf swords and guns, chasing each other around the yard and into the woods (which was making me nervous because it was getting dark and I was worried I'd lose a kid in the woods behind the house). It was like pulling teeth to get them come in for pizza, cake and ice cream. They were all having too much fun (note to self~don't come up with any bright ideas when kids are having fun).

After eating we loaded into three cars and off we went to the ship. They were all excited and couldn't wait to get there. Not too many felt the same when we boarded the ship. Can you say DISASTER!!! The first child dropped out immediately when we got on the deck. They dropped like flies from then on. Brian had taken the first to the car to stay warm. I had to call him and have him come back to get the 5 others who wouldn't even walk to the entrance of the tour!

We finally broke into two groups and started the tour. We made it about half way when my group had to leave because Sean was terrified and one of his friends was crying. When I came up onto the deck I found that the other group (headed by my good friend) were already back at the entrance (not even on the deck)!

Total disaster! One of the 10 year olds even commented that it was the worst party ever! Really, the worst???? Yes he told me. The house was the best part and that's were he would have liked to stay. Several others asked if we could go back to the house to continue playing. It was 9:00 at this point, so that wasn't an option.

Next year~we play with Nerf swords and guns in the yard~and even the woods if they want!