For over a decade, Project Pumpkin has been an anticipated celebration of Halloween at Lake Forest Academy. Students, parents, and teachers alike unite to host a group of 5th graders from A.J. Katzenmaier Academy’s afterschool program for a Halloween-themed afternoon on campus.
The festive event originated as a response to an issue in North Chicago, where AJK is located; several years ago, the community was unable to participate in trick-or-treating due to safety concerns. Made aware of the situation because of LFA’s history of partnering with North Chicago Community Partners, LFA students were inspired to hold an event that offered trick-or-treating on campus, and it stuck.
Project Pumpkin is centered around trunk-or-treating; to organize the event, LFA community members line their cars, covered in decorations, up along the road between the Student Union and Science Center.. AJK students dressed in costumes move between cars, collecting Halloween candy from each trunk. Costumes are provided by LFA; each student selects an outfit of choice and wears it throughout the afternoon, taking it home with them when they leave.
The 5th-grade students participate in other activities too; after trunk-or-treating, they complete an art project or science experiment before enjoying dinner in the Student Union. Each AJK student is partnered with an LFA student, and they enjoy all of Project Pumpkin’s activities together, lasting slightly over two hours in total. Adding to the excitement of the afternoon, Coax puts on a performance, preparing four to five Halloween-themed songs for the event.
Hosting Project Pumpkin requires great collaboration, an aspect of the tradition that Director of Service Learning Roxanne Kruger appreciates: “I love how everyone comes together as a community. We need people to help set up, clean up, help chaperone, and it’s nice seeing how everyone helps out.” Even clubs and sports teams engage in Project Pumpkin. Kruger recalled that last year golf set up a putting green and the robotics team made a robot that threw candy.
For students from AJK, Project Pumpkin is more than just a thrilling afternoon; it is a rite of passage. Since only 5th grade students are invited, younger students look forward to their turn each year, eager to finally experience the celebration themselves. That excitement is exactly what Kruger wishes for: “I hope the kids make a lot of connections with LFA students,” she shared. “I want them to feel excited to be here.”
Project Pumpkin has proven to be a beloved community event, though Kruger still welcomes improvement. “I always take into account the different things that our Interact Club leaders like to do,” she explained. Interact leaders inspired the idea to include Coax, as well as the decision to allow the AJK students to keep their costumes. As Project Pumpkin continues to occur each October, new traditions will emerge, strengthening the bond between AJK and LFA students while creating lasting memories for everyone involved.