MAX - Some 4-H kids will make a-"maze"-ing money for their club treasury these golden days of autumn.

The Rocky Acres members and parents grew a field of golden corn and hundreds of pumpkins, squash and decorative gourds for a club project that beckons fall day trekkers to stop by for an hour or so of fun.

A 5-acre maze just off Highway 83 four miles north of Max will challenge kids and adults as they work their way from start to finish with a few dead ends and a secret "water hole" to keep things interesting.

This corn tops out at about 10 feet, so there's no peeking, either.

The fall fun opens at noon Saturday and Sunday, again at noon Oct. 5 and 12 and at a special haunted night starting at dusk either Oct. 18 or Oct. 25.

This is the third year of the maze for the Rocky Acres kids, about 20 in all from Max, Garrison, Douglas and Benedict.

They use money for club projects and donate some to the food pantry in Minot. They hope to start a scholarship fund and go on a club trip to the Capitol in Bismarck.

All seriousness aside, the maze is a lot of fun.

They pick the design and pace it out themselves, using string and orange ribbons to set the course. No global-position system marking for this bunch.

Then a dad or two brings out the "weapon of choice" - a weedwacker - and has at those tough cornstalks.

"We're talking a half-mile of weedwacking," said Daryl Lies, dad and 4-H helper. Anyone who gets lost in the maze, though, could put on three miles.

Last year, 1,500 folks made their way to and through the maze. The kids are hoping for more people this year.

They have more and better gourds and pumpkins to sell, and they'd like to get the scholarships up and going.

For club members Chelsey Lies and Hope and Gwen Scheresky, the best time for the maze is the one night it's "haunted," which will be either Oct. 18 or Oct. 25, depending on how well the corn holds up as it gets colder.

"There was a lot of screaming last year," said Gwen Scheresky, a sixth-grader.

Who wouldn't scream, picking their way through the maze in the dark, surrounded by rustling corn stalks and someone - maybe the chainsaw man - jumps out at them? It's scary just to write about.

That's a one-night only special, though. The rest of the time, the maze is tamely bucolic and maze-trekkers are invited to look for six "ag" facts that made the corny experience educational besides.

The 4-H kids manage the business of ticket and pumpkin sales and directing folks in and out.

Hope Scheresky, a third grader, said what she likes about the maze is how easily people can be tricked.

Gwen Scheresky said for her, it's all about being with 4-H friends and other friends.

Chelsey Lies, a sophomore, said her favorite aspect is the people who come to see the maze.

"I like their reaction when people come out and they're shocked that they can do it," she said.

Anyone who wants information about the maze, or hours, can call Daryl Lies at 529-4463.

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at 888-303-5511, or lauren@;westriv.com.)