Another eerie season of spine-tingling entertainment is underway at Six Flags Great America. To make the spooky fun even better at Fright Night, the theme park will feature five haunted houses and nine scare zones.
Three of the haunted houses — an extra fee is levied for all the haunted houses — will be brand-new at the Gurnee venue. Who doesn’t like a good blood-curdling jaunt during Fright Fest, which runs selected nights through Nov. 3?
This year is the 33rd-annual event and includes a new twist: A chaperone policy for kids 15 and under in order to curb rowdiness.
“Over the past years, there have been increasing incidents of unruly and inappropriate behavior across our industry and at other major entertainment venues,” the company said in a statement.
Six Flags isn’t the only entity instituting either a chaperone policy or banning juveniles outright.
From shopping malls to community fairs and carnivals — some of which have been canceled this summer due to unruly incidents — teens and young adults are being targeted for bad conduct. The behavior of some of their peers threatens the future of such family-friendly events.
Law enforcement officials believe the disruptions often are fueled by social media. But there may be more going on here.
While teens going back decades — those rebels without causes in the 1950s, the defiant ones in the ‘60s and ‘70s, for example — have been mutinous. In the mid-2020s, these teens seem out of control.
According to a recent national survey of almost 200 school superintendents, 81% say student behavior is worse than before the pandemic.
Mental crises among students also are at unacceptable levels, surveys say. Are these leftovers from the pandemic causing the uptick in ornery actions, or is it appalling behavior among adults and political name-calling being transferred to young people, who are acting out?
I don’t know the answer, but school and law enforcement officials across the U.S. are trying to figure out why many teens not only seem wilder, but more prone to violence. Like the juvenile suspected of an online threat to shoot teachers last week at Woodland Middle School in Gurnee, according to reports. Charges are pending.
Threats recently forced several schools in Joliet and Plainfield to switch to remote learning. The suspect who police say killed four people, two of them teachers, at the Georgia high school outside Atlanta is 14.
Another 14-year-old boy, at Glenbard West High School in the west suburbs, allegedly brought a loaded 9mm handgun to his school last week. A teen at a Tallahassee, Florida, middle school also was arrested last week for bringing a 9mm pistol to class.
Six Flags, which has had a code of conduct for years, in its new policy puts the onus directly on parents and guardians who, “are responsible for the behavior of their minor children.”
“Appropriate behavior and supervision are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and is always expected,” the theme park said in a statement. “Parents/guardians may be held legally liable for all acts of the minors under their care.”
The theme park goes on: “We strongly recommend that minors (under 18 years of age) be accompanied by an adult. The park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors.”
Under the new chaperone policy, Six Flags guests 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted to and stay in the park during Fright Fest. The policy is in effect daily from 5 p.m. to when the park closes.
“We are committed to keeping Six Flags Great America a place where thrill-seekers of all ages can come together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind park full of fun experiences,” is the chief reason for the policy the company says.
Six Flags says chaperones must present valid government-issued photo IDs with date of birth at ticket entry. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 parkgoers 15 or younger per day.
Additionally, chaperones must accompany their parties during entry, remain inside the park and be available by phone throughout their time at Fright Fest. Guests 16 years of age or older may be asked to present a valid government-issued photo identification with a date of birth at entry to verify their ages. If unable to verify proof of age, guests may be denied entry into the park.
Six Flags says those 15 years old or younger found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone during Fright Fest will be subject to ejection. The chaperone requirement applies to Six Flags one-day ticket holders and season pass holders.
“The safety of our guests and associates has always been our top priority at Six Flags Great America,” the company said in its statement. “We believe these changes will help ensure that Six Flags Great America continues to have a positive atmosphere where thrill-seekers can gather for a day of safe, fun and thrilling experiences.”
The unacceptable behavior of some has led to this blanket chaperone policy at Six Flags. It’s unfortunate, but for teens and young adults, and their parents, that’s the reality in today’s society.
Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.
sellenews@gmail.com
X: @sellenews
