Will Trepanier, of Niles, is an IT manager for an engineering firm and a volunteer at the Niles Scream Park.

Trepanier has been a loyal volunteer since 1994, dedicating between 15 to 30 hours a week during the park’s opening season and three to five hours a week in the off season. While Trepanier has worked in just about every role at the park, he currently serves as head of operations. Through the position, he helps to make sure that security and crowd flow are being managed effectively.

The Niles Scream Park gives volunteers the ability to work to earn funds for a charity of their choosing. This year, Trepanier is raising money for his son, Joshua Wilson’s Brandywine High School bowling team.

How did you get involved with the Niles Scream Park?

I actually was dragged along by a former girlfriend’s parents to help fill an empty hole in the volunteer staff.

I enjoyed it so much, I just kind of forgot to quit going.

What would you say you enjoy most about your volunteer work?

For me, it is the relationships that you build, the friends you make and the people that you meet. I have made some lifelong friends and if you have ever talked to anyone who has been working at the haunted house for a while, we are like one big extended family. There is a core group of people that are very close and we have been there for many years. Building those relationships and getting to interact with those people and the customers is just a lot of fun. I am a people person.

What do you most get out of your volunteer work at the Niles Scream Park?

The funny thing is that is not really about the fundraising for me. It is more of a stress relief and something out of the ordinary that I get to go do and focus on.

The fundraising is an added benefit.

Why would you encourage other people to volunteer at the Niles Scream Park?

One, it is a very great fundraising opportunity. Two, it is really just a great environment. It takes a lot of people working together to make it happen. It is a great opportunity for people to get in and step out of their comfort zone.