English teacher Shea Perry participates in a unique hobby outside of school, one many are too afraid to attempt. For her, ghost investigating is a fun outside-of-school activity for her and her husband.

“We pack up our equipment and then go to Gettysburg, our favorite place to go,” Perry said. “We meet up with another group of folks, and go to places we know investigators go.”

The two then travel to different places throughout the town, following their tour guide. Usually, the guide will share stories about the various locations.

Perry and her husband enjoy bringing their own equipment to assist them in their tours. 

“We have ENF readers and a large speaker that runs through radio programs and frequencies to see what you can hear,” Perry explained. 

“We also have a ghost net,” Perry continued. “I don’t know if I buy into that, but it’s a lighting thing you throw on the wall; you’re supposed to see shadows.”

Their most unique piece of equipment might be the camera that lets them see actual figures.

“The camera we have is crazy, and I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s a camera that shows a stick figure of people,” Perry said. “Anywhere there is heat, it will show up in the form of a stick figure person or a dog or something on the camera.”

This camera has definitely come in handy. During Perry’s tour of St. Albans Hospital, the camera revealed some disturbing images.

“We clearly saw a woman stick figure on the camera screen bending over and standing up and bending over and standing up,” said Perry.

What made this find even more disturbing was the back-story of the lady who once stayed in that room.

“This was when the guide told us the story about the woman who had been taken there by her husband because she was pregnant. She lost her baby and had tried to take the baby’s body and put it in a bassinet.”

Even with these experiences, Perry says she’s a skeptic. She has her own set of beliefs about the supernatural.

“I definitely think that there’s something bigger than us, but I don’t know for sure exactly what that is. I don’t know if ghosts linger or if it’s just energy,” Perry said.

Despite this uncertainty, Perry feels more definite on one thing. 

“I think that when people have experienced a severe form of trauma that it leaves behind a certain level of energy until it is healed and dissipated.”

There’s a reason why Perry feels more sure about this—she believes to have experienced this energy herself. 

“I’ve felt that energy in too many places not to believe that. I’ve felt a lot of really weird things like someone grabbing my shoulder. That was really clear,” explained Perry.

This wasn’t Perry’s only experience with this lingering energy. 

“One time we walked into a place, and I got really nauseous, and as soon as I walked out I was fine.”

These aren’t the only times she’s felt this energy. On her trip to St. Albans, the energy felt worse than ever.

“That place felt foreboding, and it was cold. There was one room where a girl had hanged herself. Before anybody said anything, I walked in with my husband and he was like ‘bye’, and we walked out. There was definitely trauma there.” 

Perry’s husband Jason Perry is by her side through these tours, and is very interested in the paranormal. He even reads books covering this topic.

“I enjoy ghost investigations because they offer evidence of the existence of a reality beyond what we experience in our everyday lives,” Jason Perry said. 

As far as hobbies go, Shea Perry is more interested in ones with less people, a pro that makes her love ghost investigating.

“I don’t like to do a lot of stuff people my age like to do. I don’t want to go to dinner parties, and I don’t like being around tons of people. Jason and I are really introverted, and we thought this would be something not everybody does,” Perry said.

For those who are interested in ghost investigating and want to try it out themselves, Perry has some advice.

“Be respectful: you are in places where people have passed,” said Perry.

Not only is respect important, but Perry believes in keeping yourself safe.

Before you leave anywhere, say something along the lines of ‘you’re not welcome with me’. I know that sounds weird, but there’s always this fear that something will attach.”

Part of being able to enjoy this pastime without getting too deep into the supernatural world is by separating herself from spirituality. 

“I don’t really get into spirituality, which is weird when I go and do stuff like this. I know those two worlds can be combined, but I just go because I think it’s interesting. I go to see what we find.”

Ghost investigating may not be for everyone, but Perry has many memorable experiences from it. In the end, what matters is enjoyment.

“Have fun. If it’s something that scares you and freaks you out, don’t go.”