About Ravenscroft Manor
The story of how Ravenscroft Manor Haunted Attraction came to be...
Ravenscroft Manor is a haunted attraction that was created in 2019 in part with Shido-Kan Karate Dojo & Thanatos Productions as a fundraiser. All proceeds went to benefit Scout Troop 259, Bergen County's First All-Girls Boy Scout Troop, located in Mahwah, New Jersey. For one-night only, Ravenscroft Manor was a huge success... however, news traveled fast and many patrons wanted more! While all parties involved were working towards a much bigger experience... those initial plans were derailed by the outbreak of Covid-19. The team was forced to move the experience to a different venue to accommodate Mahwah's Covid guidelines.
In 2020, with the help of the Mahwah Elks Club, Ravenscroft Manor found a new home on the grounds of the Elks Club Grove and Pavilion. Making the haunt a dual indoor and outdoor experience. With the size of the grounds being much larger than the previous year and no walls... the teams needed to utilize many donations of wooden skids, landscaping mesh, and other building items in order to make use of the Pavilion Space. And tarps were donated to help create a maze-like experience on the exterior leading out of the pavilion. With only two weeks of prep, the team came together with many volunteers to help launch a two-day haunt. And with much success! Patrons from the previous year returned and many raved about the "little haunt that could."
With the tremendous feedback of both the 2019 & 2020 seasons, the teams were determined to launch an even better season for 2021... First, based on popular demand they decided to increase the amount of operation to 3 weekends. Second, major upgrades to the set up of the haunt were added to help increase ticket sales. Upgrades from haunted attractions businesses like a custom soundtrack with the help of Thanatos Productions, a brand new front gateway with the help of Dusk Productions, brand new laser swap by Froggy's Fog, new gags by master craftsmen Mike Ramsey, and new lighting effects by local tech guru Rich Eidner. New murals were made by local graffiti artist Keith McGee of Wendigo Graphics and many donations from industry recognized businesses like Zagone Studios of Melrose Park, IL.
To enhance the experience, haunters from different haunted attractions came together to volunteer to help teach the scouts and their families all of the behind the scenes secrets on how haunted attractions are created. These scouts were trained by:
Set Designers
Learning how to do set up and design scenes.
Make-up Artists
Learning various techniques on how to create their characters using stage make up, airbrush and prosthetics.
Experienced Haunted Attraction Actors
Training the scouts on the art of the scare using different acting techniques through body movement, blending with their scenes and patron engagement.
The manor for 2021 came together gloriously with animatronics, special effects and live actors. And with the new training with the help of the volunteers, the team had a glorious season. Even featuring appearances by horror convention personalities such as Father Evil (Lou Avilleira) & Killing Machine Cosplay's Bobby Aimone.
Why didn't Ravenscroft Manor open for 2022?
Unfortunately, while 2022 was looking to become the best season to come for the Manor... Fate would have another role to play. Nationally, the Elks Clubs pulled their charters from scouting do to the issues of lawsuits from the past and as a result, it had forced Ravenscroft Manor to keep its doors closed. With the determination coming to close to the season, the team was unable to find a suitable location for the manor to open.
Will Ravenscroft Return for 2024?
YES! We are currently underway with a new location at t Crestwood Lake in Allendale, New Jersey for the return of Ravenscroft Manor. And with new team members on board, it could look to become the best it has ever been. Never underestimate a haunt with a stellar team and driven determination! We look forward to returning in 2024!
For images of our transformation, please visit our Gallery page!
In 2020, with the help of the Mahwah Elks Club, Ravenscroft Manor found a new home on the grounds of the Elks Club Grove and Pavilion. Making the haunt a dual indoor and outdoor experience. With the size of the grounds being much larger than the previous year and no walls... the teams needed to utilize many donations of wooden skids, landscaping mesh, and other building items in order to make use of the Pavilion Space. And tarps were donated to help create a maze-like experience on the exterior leading out of the pavilion. With only two weeks of prep, the team came together with many volunteers to help launch a two-day haunt. And with much success! Patrons from the previous year returned and many raved about the "little haunt that could."
With the tremendous feedback of both the 2019 & 2020 seasons, the teams were determined to launch an even better season for 2021... First, based on popular demand they decided to increase the amount of operation to 3 weekends. Second, major upgrades to the set up of the haunt were added to help increase ticket sales. Upgrades from haunted attractions businesses like a custom soundtrack with the help of Thanatos Productions, a brand new front gateway with the help of Dusk Productions, brand new laser swap by Froggy's Fog, new gags by master craftsmen Mike Ramsey, and new lighting effects by local tech guru Rich Eidner. New murals were made by local graffiti artist Keith McGee of Wendigo Graphics and many donations from industry recognized businesses like Zagone Studios of Melrose Park, IL.
To enhance the experience, haunters from different haunted attractions came together to volunteer to help teach the scouts and their families all of the behind the scenes secrets on how haunted attractions are created. These scouts were trained by:
Set Designers
Learning how to do set up and design scenes.
Make-up Artists
Learning various techniques on how to create their characters using stage make up, airbrush and prosthetics.
Experienced Haunted Attraction Actors
Training the scouts on the art of the scare using different acting techniques through body movement, blending with their scenes and patron engagement.
The manor for 2021 came together gloriously with animatronics, special effects and live actors. And with the new training with the help of the volunteers, the team had a glorious season. Even featuring appearances by horror convention personalities such as Father Evil (Lou Avilleira) & Killing Machine Cosplay's Bobby Aimone.
Why didn't Ravenscroft Manor open for 2022?
Unfortunately, while 2022 was looking to become the best season to come for the Manor... Fate would have another role to play. Nationally, the Elks Clubs pulled their charters from scouting do to the issues of lawsuits from the past and as a result, it had forced Ravenscroft Manor to keep its doors closed. With the determination coming to close to the season, the team was unable to find a suitable location for the manor to open.
Will Ravenscroft Return for 2024?
YES! We are currently underway with a new location at t Crestwood Lake in Allendale, New Jersey for the return of Ravenscroft Manor. And with new team members on board, it could look to become the best it has ever been. Never underestimate a haunt with a stellar team and driven determination! We look forward to returning in 2024!
For images of our transformation, please visit our Gallery page!
