Rotorua House of Horrors needs volunteers to help spook youth

A scary clown has been used at the event before. Photo/Supplied

Local youth are set to be terrified by gruesome characters at an annual horror event, although volunteers are still needed to help make it happen.

The House of Horrors is the Rotorua Youth Centre's major event which has been running every year since 2012.

Rotorua Youth Centre manager Steve Holmes says it is a horror maze, where youth make their way through in groups and are confronted by their worst nightmare.

"Ghosts, zombies, clowns and all sorts of gruesome characters are just waiting to terrify."

This event is run by a handful of adult volunteers and between 40 and 60 youth volunteers who help design the event, build the set and props and learn how to apply special effects makeup. On average about 50 youth every year act.

He says the young people choose a theme and plan the various "rooms" - "each one different and more terrifying than the last".

The theme this year is Purgatory, with the event set to run from October 11 to 14.

They are looking for adult volunteers to help in the kitchen, behind the scenes, security, acting (scaring) and other roles.

Creative costumes help give the House of Horrors a spooky feel. Photo/Supplied

Each night's event is split into age groups - 8 to 11 from 7pm and 12 and up from 9pm.

Mr Holmessays it is a great event for youth for two reasons.

"One is that there is nothing more fun than having the life scared out of you and the feedback we get is always how fun the maze is.

"The second reason is the hours and hours all of the young people have put into planning and creating the event.

"Every one of them have grown in confidence, team spirit and creativity. They have all done an amazing job at organising what promises to be the best, most scary House of Horrors yet!"

Mr Holmessays there are only a few hundred tickets available so it will be first in, first served.

Tickets are available from the youth centre for $15, or keep an eye on the Rotorua Youth Centre's website and Facebook for an online special of $13.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Steve on (021) 650 089 or manager@rotoruayouthcentre.org.