Hobby Fest 2010 was held Saturday, April 17. A slide show of some of the hobbyists and kids can be viewed here.
 What is Hobby Fest and who is it for? Hobby Fest 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 Hobby Fest? We all are interested in and excel at different things…and they’re not always the subjects we study in school! Hobby Fest will benefit students by giving:
- Students with hobbies the chance to share something that captivates 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 hobbies are appropriate? Just about every kind of hobby will be appropriate for Hobby Fest. The most successful Hobby Fest 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.
Hobby Fest 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 Hobby Fest? Hobby Fest comes together with help from the Assets Board. Hobby Fest 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. Hobby Fest 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. Hobby Fest is not a competition; the prize is in participation.
After Hobby Fest, 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 Hobby Fest 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 hobby to consider, and have an interesting & positive experience with a responsive adult.
Attending “Hobby Fest” can, hopefully, peak youth interest in having a hobby. And, it can open the door to an ABC long-term goal, which is to assist & engage youth to participate in a hobby 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.
Hobby Fest 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 hobby. To help assure success, parents & ABC can offer limited support to adult volunteers.
Scenes From Hobby Fest 2010
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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