Halloween 'Nightmare Factory' in Salem: One Frightening Experience (VIDEO)

22 Years of Holding the Line for the Kids at Oregon's School for the Deaf.

Photos and video of The Oregon School for the Deaf's annual Nightmare Factory in Salem by Jerry Freeman, Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Halloween is overflowing the Oregon School for the Deaf with tricks and treats this weekend.

Reporter Michele Andujar dodges ghosts at The Oregon School for the Deaf's annual Nightmare Factory in Salem.

The $8, 20-minute horror walk is not just worth the fun but it helps a struggling school raise funds for students of Oregon’s Sign language immersion boarding school, who make up 90% of the actors.

The Nightmare Factory, Salem’s only Haunted House venue, started 22 years ago when dorm supervisor Ed Roberts came up with the profitable plan: $72,000 was raised last year, and judging by the long line, this year won’t come short of that.

Roberts says, “This is a great vocational training tool. Kids get to learn theatric skills, lighting skills, disguising and construction skills.”

Students will decide where the money will go. In the past, they’ve funded accelerated reading and math programs, bough computers and a playground. Funds can even be used to cover private medical expenses.

The school is serious about the haunted house business, with students traveling to national haunted house conventions, which they intend to visit again this year.

This haunt came together because of a lot of teamwork, and volunteer efforts from Hood River, Bend, and three Arkansas sign language interpreter students.

Together with parents and teachers and mostly the kids from the Oregon School for the Deaf, it remains one of the frightening places you'll have a chance to visit.

“I enjoy bringing people from the community and showing them that handicapped kids can do everything. Except for hearing,” Roberts added.

It just might be the best bet for you and your family, that is as long as you don't mind getting really scared this Halloween!

After you watch the video, be sure to visit the Website for The Nightmare Factory to learn more and get directions.

WATCH the Salem-News.com video report by Jerry Freeman and Michelle Andujar:

Video

Produced by Tim King

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who are entering the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people the dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “an old truck driver with a new found passion to bare witness on the world’s events.” Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarks on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Stay tuned, and see how it turns out. Jerry seems to exhibit natural talent and is already becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team. You can send Jerry Freeman an email at this address: Salem-News@gravityshadow.com