2026 Question and Answer With Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels

What does Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels have in store for the 2026 Halloween season? Schuchardt's Holiday House is here to tell you!

What's new at Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels for 2026? Do you have any new rides, attractions, or special features that Haunt Seekers should know about?

For 2026, we’re stepping completely away from the traditional haunted house setup and taking visitors "underground". Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels is an entirely new, story-driven walkthrough experience that peels back the surface history of our town. Haunt Seekers will "descend" into dark, eerie "subterranean" corridors lined with classified remnants and artifacts from a forgotten military black site era. We’ve amped up the immersion with heavier atmospheric fog, specialized lighting, and detailed set pieces that make you feel like you’ve stumbled somewhere you shouldn't be.

What are you most excited about for the 2026 Halloween Season?

Taking community fun to the next level with our brand-new theme, Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels. Bringing the community together for our most immersive walkthrough experience yet, while continuing our mission to support Feeding America and local food pantries!

What differentiates Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels from other local haunts in New Jersey?

Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels stands out by trading classic gothic and slasher tropes for an immersive, narrative-driven military tunnel experience while keeping community purpose at its core. Rather than focusing on high-ticket commercial shock value, it combines atmospheric subsurface storytelling with a charitable mission.

How long has Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels been in business? Can you tell us a bit more about Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels's history?

We are now in our third year of the full walkthrough experience, but the yard display tradition has deep roots. We have been transforming this house since 2019, and before that, we were in East Brunswick with displays going all the way back to the early 2000s. This whole effort began as a dual mission: to bring a fun activity to the community while simultaneously raising money for charity.

What's your favorite experience since opening Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels?

Our favorite experience has been watching this grow into a genuine community tradition. There is nothing better than standing near the exit and having families tell us they look forward to coming back every single season. Seeing kids get excited to drop off donations for Feeding America before running through the walkthrough, and knowing that something built right in our own yard can bring the neighborhood together for a great cause, makes every late night of setup completely worth it.

How long is a typical haunt experience at Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels from start to finish?

The typical walkthrough experience at Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels lasts about 10 minutes, depending on crowd flow and how deeply guests engage with each scene. You are welcome to take as much time as you want exploring the walkthrough, and you are encouraged to take photos and videos.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how scary would you say Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels is? Why?

It sits right at a 5 out of 10. Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels is designed as a fun, atmospheric thrill rather than an overwhelming haunted experience. Because every child reacts differently, the environment keeps the stakes low so young visitors can explore at a comfortable level. Guests can easily test the waters and step back or exit at any point if needed, with an open invitation to give it another shot whenever they feel ready.

Does Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels's property have any real haunted history? Do you have a spooky encounter you'd like to share?

When asked that last year, we gave a simple "yes," and that answer definitely stands today. Central Jersey and the land around Spotswood carry generations of layered history, from old trade routes and early industrial sites to military history scattered across the region. Every time we break ground or clear out the outbuildings for a new season, you get the distinct sense that the land remembers everything that happened here long before us.

What inspired you to open up a haunted attraction? What's your favorite part of the business?

Our inspiration comes directly from our volunteer work at House of Horrors, the haunted house and hayride run by Middlesex County 4-H right here in East Brunswick. Helping take that attraction to the Number One Haunted Attraction in New Jersey title in 2016, as named by Newjerseyhauntedhouses.com, showed us the power of creating immersive, community-driven scares. A decade after that milestone, that same passion continues to drive everything we build today.
?As for my favorite part of the business, it is watching our guests react in real time. There is nothing quite like taking an idea from an early design concept, building out the sensory details, and seeing visitors shift from genuine suspense to sheer excitement and laughter within seconds. Creating memorable, heart-pounding experiences that bring people together makes every hour of preparation worthwhile.

How has new technology (i.e. animatronics, special props, etc) helped you to enhance Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels?

We are using technology, old and new, to power the walkthrough. Some of the tech includes Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, digital video players, FM transmitters, radios, amplifiers, fog machines, CRT and flat-screen TVs, projectors, animatronics, motion sensors, IR cameras, and more!

Can Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels accommodate large groups? How many people can experience Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels together as a group?

There is no set limit on group size, so as many people can experience Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels together as you would like. The main challenge will be parking. Parking is extremely limited, so we kindly ask all visitors to respect our neighbors' property, stay safe, and follow all local traffic laws when searching for a spot. Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and please remember that parking on the lawn is at your own risk.

Does Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels offer any special deals, discounts, or coupons?

No deals or coupons are needed because admission to Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels is completely free! While we gladly accept voluntary donations to support our charitable efforts, no ticket or discount code is ever required to step into the walkthrough.

Anything else you'd like to let us know about Schuchardt's Holiday House Presents: Camp Spotswood: The Tunnels?

We are astronomical levels of grateful for every Earthling who ventured deep into the cosmic unknown with us this year. Your energy, enthusiasm, and stellar generosity are the rocket fuel that keeps this tradition beaming year after year. It is an absolute honor to transmit the spooky magic of extraterrestrial terror directly to our incredible community, and we truly could not have established contact without your out-of-this-world support. Wishing you a fun and safe spooky season. Happy Halloween from all of us at Schuchardt's Holiday House!