REVIEW: CAMP BEACHWOOD

November 4, 2024

REVIEW: CAMP BEACHWOOD

Camp Beachwood, created by Sandy and Michelle Chila, began as a private home haunt in Burbank five years ago. Until this year, the only way to know about this haunt was by word of mouth. However, Camp Beachwood is now listed on the SoCal Haunt List, a much revered resource for haunt goers. Considering that this year’s theme was a woodsy camping trip gone wrong and that fellow haunter Phil Crain referred us, we knew we had to attend.

This maze is built with a high standard of excellence within a small front yard. You enter into the camp entrance where a scare actor greets you as you walk towards your cabin. You then go through a dark hallway and towards a large-scale cabin exterior, where a camper warns you that you should leave. As the door opens a demonic spirit is lurking behind the doors and throws the camper magically to the ground (we went through twice and this scene was perfectly acted and timed!). You then enter into a wooded area where the entity is still lurking, and from the shadows emerges a massive, stilt-walking Wendigo, towering above you in the darkness. As you exit into the campground you see a camper by the tents. One of the tents has a holographic ghost of a young girl inside (We believe this beautiful illusion is as created by reflecting a projected image onto water) as you exit back onto the street.

As we left we spoke with Michelle (Sandy was inside as a scare actor) and were shocked to find out they do not have a background in set building. The craftsmanship of this haunt was unbelievable and it was a shock to hear that Michelle works in food service and Sandy, who built most of it, is a musician who has worked with Guns N’ Roses and Gilby Clarke, among music credits for Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and his own horror themed band Dbone and the Remains. Camp Beachwood is a beautiful example of how a great idea can be brought to life with dedication and ingenuity. This labor of love was incredible to witness and we can’t wait to see what they build next.

VC
November 04, 2024

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