Halloween may be spooky and frightful, but the Associated Students of the College of Idaho want to make it sweet and friendly for the Caldwell community by hosting their first ever “Trunk or Treat” event, which is set between 3-6 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the McCain parking lot.
“Trunk or Treat” is an alternative to the traditional trick-or-treating of Halloween night. Instead of approaching the houses of strangers, children can show off their costumes in a controlled and safe environment of the parking lot, where local businesses and organizations will not only supply the candy they crave, but also bring along fun activities.
Bridget Kernan, one of the members of the ASCI Student Senate Community Relations Committee, said the committee is working to bridge the gap between the C of I community and the rest of the local Caldwell community. The Trunk or Treat event is the first of several events planned for this school year to involve Caldwell businesses, organizations and residents.
“During one of our meetings, we thought that this event would be a great opportunity to educate our students of the local businesses that are located around Caldwell and what Caldwell has to offer,” Kernan said. “Likewise, we wanted to encourage the Caldwell community to explore the College of Idaho campus. We also wanted to offer a safe environment for children and college students to trick or treat.”
Kernan said fifteen student clubs and academic departments have pledged to be involved in the event, as well as a handful of local businesses. Every space at the McCain lot will either hand out candy to trunk-or-treaters or host an activity. All the activities are family friendly, including fishing for candy out of the back of cars, signing cards for retirement home residents, costume contests, and even more that will be announced at the event.
While this is the first time the C of I has hosted a Trunk or Treat event, Kernan said the Senate hopes to make it an annual event if it proves popular. The committee is expecting a significant turnout, as over 600 people have expressed interest on the official event page on Facebook.
“We are excited to see the integration between the College and Caldwell communities,” she said. “We are also thrilled to see the involvement with these groups volunteering to give back to their community and foster these relationships.”
If you would like to reserve a spot to hand out candy or run an event at the Trunk or Treat event, contact Kernan at [email protected].
The College of Idaho has a 126-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, four NFL players and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.