The concept began early in 2004 with the formation of a ladies-only group called The Southern California Ladies’ Haunting Society; an organization of women interested in pursuing Halloween related projects at monthly meetings. By the second and third of these meetings, it became apparent that something was missing. The members were passionate about Halloween and haunting, but it was decided that a larger pool of knowledge, particularly in the areas of electronics and mechanical engineering, would be helpful for some of the projects envisioned for the future. Group co-founders Deveron Shudic (Lady Kit) and Myranda Marsh (The Castle Witch) got together and decided it would help to go coed. To do this the group needed a new name. Debbie Valenta (Jersey She-Devil) a third founder of the group suggested the slightly altered: The California Haunting Society or CalHauntS for short, and the name stuck like monster mud to burlap.

We are a group of Halloween enthusiasts who meet monthly to share Halloween prop-building knowledge and ideas.
See a write up of who and how CalHauntS got started in the "Haunted Attraction Magazine"story
Calhaunts: if you build it they will scream! by one of our own members Chris DeVaux
Download PDF version here

Our meetings are hands-on workshops to build props, animatronics and other Halloween haunt related items. Each month a member will volunteer to host the meeting at their house/location and another member will volunteer to teach the 'make-n-take'. The member teaching will usually arrange to obtain the materials. Members use our private list to RSVP their intent to attend the meeting so the correct amount of supplies will be purchased. Sometimes money is collected at the meeting, sometimes in advance. The list is also used for meeting locations, times and for volunteering food, beverages, etc. for the meeting. A meeting usually lasts from 4- 5 hours depending on the prop being made. As each member arrives at a meeting, they fill out a slip of paper with their name and toss it in the cauldron for our door prize contest. First we eat and chat at our Potluck lunch, (items you might want to bring: hamburger patties and buns, hot dogs and buns, meat loaf, lasagna, banana pudding, cobbler, fruity cakes, macaroni salad, potatoe salad, green salad, diet drinks, chips, cookies, mashed potatoes, beverages, condiments, water and ice.) then spend about 15-20 minutes discussing upcoming events and other group business, then we give away the door prizes by pulling names from the cauldron. Door prizes are donated by members and generous vendors, each month. Then we do speed demos, where 2-3 members have 10 minutes to demo a prop, tool or technique. Handouts are often included to enhance the information. The purpose of speed demos are for props, etc. that wouldn't fill an entire workshop and sometimes, just to see if there is interest for a longer workshop. Then it's on to the make-n-take portion of the meeting.

We don't require that you attend every meeting to be a member but participation is encouraged.

See our Bi-Laws

CalHauntS is located in Southern California.
www.calhaunts.org     www.calhaunts.com
We also have a second chapter located in Northern California: CalHauntS NorCal

Are you interested in becoming a member email at the skull link below?