Milwaukee Recreation’s “natural alternative” to the usual haunted houses is returning for its 25th year.

Halloween Glen encourages youth to learn about nature through a fun and interactive program in the outdoor setting of Hawthorn Glen, Milwaukee Recreation’s 23-acre nature center at 1130 N. 60th Street. The program will run every half hour from 5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 12 and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 13.

“Families attending Halloween Glen should expect a fun outdoor experience with an educational twist,” says Recreation Supervisor Nicole Sponholtz. “We’ve hired actors to dress up as wild creatures, but they won’t be scaring anyone. Instead, this talented group will present interactive skits at eight elaborately decorated stations along the luminaria-lighted trails of Hawthorn Glen at night. This year’s theme is Halloween Holdovers, featuring flashbacks to nature’s classic creatures and characters from our event’s first quarter century.”

Following the program, families can watch Halloween cartoons and make craft projects to take home. Participants must register in advance online at the Milwaukee Recreation’s website. Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools, established in 1911 to provide the entire community with affordable and enriching recreational activities.