ROCHESTER — When most people think of a Haunted Hayride, they’re more likely to think of the eerie decorations, or someone that popped out and scared them half to death than they are to think of leadership.

But for the boys scouts of Troop 31 the event is as much about creativity and leadership as it is about the costumes, scares, or even pyrotechnics that make the Oct. 26 event a success. 

Each boy in the troop is tasked with making up his own area. The troop has no overarching theme for the hayride, so the theme for each section can be whatever the scout chooses.

“As long as it’s not going to get you in trouble,” said troop leader Kevin Thompson.

Since the areas are usually elaborately constructed and require multiple people to achieve the scary effects, the boys are required to recruit others to help them with the project. The scouts can move up in rank for recruiting and leading others.

“Only half the people here are active scouts,” said Thompson, after a drive through site where the event is held.

Last year, when the event started after a long hiatus, boys and troop leaders also camped out and cooked their own food in between the two nights of the hayride. However a predicted nor’easter put a damper on those plans this year.

The troop expects a good turnout for the first night, at least. Thompson said that last year, after word got out about the hayride, every tractor was full on the second night. The troop also did additional publicity this year.