Brock Halloween events to encourage responsible gatherings

Third-year General Humanities student Claudia De Lorenzo and Fourth-year Kinesiology student Blake Frew participated in a Halloween Tie-dye event in Jubilee Court on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Brock University is marking spooky season with a series of events meant to encourage a fun and safe Halloween for all.

From pumpkin carving and movie nights to escape rooms and Harry Potter-themed yoga, there’s no shortage of student activities planned both on and off campus over the next week.

Halloween night will mark the return of the University’s popular Trick or Eat event, which will see students going door to door in local neighbourhoods collecting food donations for Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.

“A favourite annual tradition, Trick or Eat is a chance for students to have some fun while also giving back to the communities they call home throughout the year,” says Kristen Smith, Manager of Off-Campus and Community Experience. “It’s one of the many activities offered by Brock that promote enjoying Halloween but doing so responsibly.”

Several educational campaigns are also taking place this month focusing on appropriate costumes, healthy relationships, and responsible drinking and substance use.

In addition to resources shared through social media and email in the week leading up to Halloween, Brock’s Off-Campus and Neighbourhood Relations team, in partnership with Niagara Regional Police Service and bylaw staff from St. Catharines and Thorold, will be going door to door in high-density student neighbourhoods on Thursday, Oct. 26 to promote safe and responsible celebrations as part of the Don’t Put the Bad in Badger campaign. Materials will be handed out that encourage appropriate behaviour and educate students about possible fines that can be incurred if municipal bylaws are violated.

The Don’t Put the Bad in Badger campaign will continue with pop-up initiatives on campus in the lead-up to Halloween.

“Whether students are new to living on their own or have some experience living off campus, the campaign is a friendly reminder to be considerate of your neighbours and the communities you’re a part of — on Halloween and all year round,” Smith says. “It’s our role as a university to encourage students to positively contribute to the community they call home during the school year.”

Events are being hosted by departments across the University, the Brock University Students’ Union, Graduate Students’ Association and various Brock student clubs. In addition to pumpkin carving and a bonfire held earlier in the week and an upcoming sold-out trip to Canada’s Wonderland’s Halloween Haunt, some of the many seasonal events taking place include:

Thursday, Oct. 26

Free Candy Scavenger Hunt from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pumpkins in the Pool fun swim from 8 to 9:45 p.m. (50 pumpkins available, no pre-registration required)
Isaac’s Halloween Party (19+) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 27