The end of summer means a return to routine, including extracurricular activities to fill the hours after school and on weekends. Those in the Prince Albert area have a unique opportunity to learn about the many recreational opportunities for youth in and around the city at the fifth annual Youth Activity Fair next weekend.
Presented by Ranch Ehrlo Society in partnership with the city’s Optimist Club, this year’s activity fair, slated for Sept. 24th, has 15 confirmed vendors. Organizer Shantelle Petersen has hopes for up to ten more. Nearly half of this year’s vendors are new to the fair.
“Every year I try to incorporate new groups,” she explained. “We’ve expanded from just physical sports, as well. We have some creative arts – acting, singing and musicals, and the technical side of it, like stage hands and lighting, as well as volunteer opportunities like the SPCA and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.”
Big Brothers and Big Sisters has a dual purpose – fair attendees can both sign up to be a mentor, or learn how to be assigned to one.
“Not all kids are into sports, so we need to think outside that box,” Shantelle added.
The Youth Activity Fair was started five years ago as a way for Ranch Ehrlo Society to connect with and give back to the city of Prince Albert.
“Just like our community sports program, we do the Youth Activity Fair because we want to help kids – not just kids that are in our program, but all kids. It helps people realize that Ranch Ehrlo is out there and that we care and are trying to make a better place for our youth.”
Shantelle believes the Youth Activity Fair has led to an increased enrollment in the lesser known activities, such as fencing.
“A few years ago, no one knew there was fencing in Prince Albert. Now everyone knows about it,” she said of the club, which began attending the fair a few years ago.
The event provides more than just opportunities to learn about or sign up for recreational opportunities. There will be demonstrations, door prizes given away throughout the day, snacks, and a bouncy castle for the younger crowd.
The fair, held in the Gateway Mall, begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 5 p.m. Vendors are still being accepted – to reserve your spot contact shantelle.peterson@ranchehrlo.ca or fill out this registration form.
