By Audrey Gould ’27, staff writer
The annual Pumpkin Walk was held at the Quittapahilla Nature Park on Friday, Oct. 23.
After the sun set, eleven clubs and organizations set up activities for children in the Annville community to participate in and interact with.
One student, Marcus Johnson, a fifth-year ACS Chemistry major, helped at Physics Club’s table where students built catapults to launch marshmallows.
“It feels good seeing little kids excited about physics, even if they don't know it's physics,” Johnson said.
At Pumpkin Walk, children are led in groups by volunteers through the nature park along an illuminated trail. Along the trail, they stop at each station where LVC students help them with a Halloween-themed activity.
Pumpkin Walk is held each year and run by LVC’s Biology Club.
“We serve as the connection between the Quittie Creek Nature Park Committee and the LVC clubs and volunteers who participate in the event,” Will Wilford, a third-year neuroscience and biology major and Biology Club’s treasurer, said.
In addition to communicating with community members and LVC organizations, the club also sets up the event, tears it down and oversees gathering materials.
Wolford helped to transport tables and chairs to the park, and he set up stations. He also helped at Biology Club’s table, assisting children in decorating paper bags to carry with them throughout the walk.
After all the hard work put into hosting the event, the lasting impact on those who were there is the impression it leaves on the children.
“They really seem to enjoy it. We had a lot of kids that were like, ‘Oh my God, I launched one. Let me launch like 20.’ So I think they had a really good time,” Johnson said.
For Wolford, it also served as a great reminder of how the local community can come together.
“One of the best things about the Pumpkin Walk is that it gives LVC students an opportunity to get out into their community and interact with the people of Annville while having some fun. Helping the community is always an awesome feeling, especially when it means you get to put smiles on people’s faces,” Wolford said.
Those interested in participating next year can contact the Biology Club.