Activity Expo 2011 (formerly Hobby Fest) was held Saturday, April 16 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Union Street Center in Eaton Rapids. A slide show of some of last year's presenters and kids can be viewed here.
If you have questions in addition to what is addressed on this page, please email Dianne Clone or Barb Crockett.
 What is Activity Expo and who is it for? Activity Expo is a day on which people are invited to share their hobbies with young people, grades 4-12, in our community. It’s open to the entire Eaton Rapids community.
Why have a Activity Expo? We all are interested in and excel at different things…and they’re not always the subjects we study in school! Activity Expo will benefit students by giving:
- Students the chance to share activities that captivate them;
- Every student an opportunity to learn about numerous topics and pastimes all in one place;
- All of us the benefit of learning more about one another;
- Inspiration and ideas to students for areas for deeper study and investigation.
What kinds of activities are appropriate? Just about every kind of hobby will be appropriate for Activity Expo. The most successful Activity Expo event will include a wide variety…ranging from far out astronomy to deep down spelunking, from arid cactus growing to it-doesn’t-get-wetter-than-this aquaculture, with sewing, sailing, soaring, singing, signing, scuba-diving, skiing, stock investing, and square dancing—to suggest several—in between.
Activity Expo is to be held at Union Street Center (formerly Union Street Elementary School) in Eaton Rapids.
What will it be like? With displays set up on tables, posters on the walls, and various items displayed on the floor, it will look like the combination of a science fair and a trade show.
Who’s organizing Activity Expo? Activity Expo comes together with help from the Assets Board. Activity Expo Day will not only encourage exploration, but it will expose intriguing new ideas to students who may wish someday to delve more deeply.
Could you just summarize this whole thing for me? Sure. Activity Expo is an opportunity to share what you know, to learn something you didn’t, and to get more excited about both. It will be like cross between a science fair and a trade show. Anyone in the Eaton Rapids area may participate. Generally, any appropriate hobby is acceptable. Activity Expo is not a competition; the prize is in participation.
After Activity Expo, Then What? A primary goal of ours is to not only let kids experience a broad range of satisfying personal growth activities, but to also allow them to find a source of ongoing encouragement and guidance in their choices. We wish to encourage you as a Activity Expo Presenter to include a way for interested kids to “Connect” with you or your group to nurture their interest.
The short-term goal is to offer an enjoyable & safe afternoon event for youth (grades 4-12). Participants (children & youth) will be exposed to a potential activity to consider, and have an interesting & positive experience with a responsive adult.
Attending “Activity Expo” can, hopefully, peak youth interest in having an activity to pursue. And, it can open the door to an ABC long-term goal, which is to assist & engage youth to participate in an activity of their interest with a caring adult. This can offer youth adventures in self-expression, fun, mastery, confidence-building, and a supportive friendship with an adult role-model, and, maybe, other youth.
Activity Expo presenters may limit their involvement to the event itself, and, perhaps, offer a suggested group (or person) to interested youth. Or, they may offer an on-going relationship (3, 4, 6 months, or so) to directly assist one or more youth weekly (bi-weekly, monthly) with their emerging activity. To help assure success, parents & ABC can offer limited support to adult volunteers.
A. Understand & support the short-term goal & consider long-term goal.
B. Make safety your #1 priority, having fun as #2, and learning as #3.
C. Though ABC can assist, you are responsible for set-up, supplies & break-down.
D. Where possible, promote Activity Expo (friends, church, etc).
E. Encourage “active” youth participation in the activity. Enjoy yourself!
F. Consider on-going involvement with 1 or more youth, or another option.
D. Know that we all truly appreciate what you are doing, short-term or long.
About thirty hobbiests enthusiastically demonstrated, guided and talked about their interests for the children in attendance. Our thanks to all who presented their hobbies and interests.
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