Take it outside
Youth Expo promotes getting out, learning and having fun with nature
The Youth Expo is returning to Brookfield for its third year later this month, bringing a host of activities that will help kids get outside and find new interests, such as archery and woodworking.
It’s not just kids who will have a reason to get outside and try something new when an annual outdoor activity expo returns to Brookfield later this month.
The third annual Youth Expo offers a variety of activities related to the outdoors, fitness, art, health and wellness to help inspire lifestyle changes in youth.
“We say youth of all ages, because we truly believe anyone at any age can be inspired to change their place in life,” said Kelly Countway, committee chair for the expo.
“We use ourselves as an example for the expo and its purpose. I really didn’t consider hunting until I was 45 and the opportunity was presented. That’s the basis of the expo, how getting involved and being passionate about something can benefit your overall health.”
This year’s expo will be bigger than previous shows and is incorporating new and different activities to appeal to other’s interests outside of hunting, outdoor activities and physically demanding hobbies.
“We recognize that physical activity isn’t for everyone, and might not align with people’s passion, so
we’ve tried to bring in a variety of other things,” said Countway.
“Every year, we try to bring in new ideas, and I think anyone who comes to this year’s show who has also visited the previous years is going to see a different show.”
Of the new events is axe throwing, held by Halifax’s Timber Lounge, a crossbow range, hosted by the Department of Natural Resources, an outside motocross track with coaches to teach kids how to ride dirt bikes, and a concert led by an all-kid band to close out the show.
“A lot of thought goes into how to improve the show every year,” said Countway.
“As well this year we’re going to have two canteens open, two entrances and portable toilets to better the facilities. These are things people have complained about before, so we’re doing our best to accommodate those issues.”
The Youth Expo will be held at Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex in Brookfield and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.
To help manage the traffic and parking congestion in Brookfield during the event, Truro Nissan will be offering a shuttle service throughout the day with stops in different areas around Brookfield to bring attendees to the expo.
Countway hopes the expo will help teach kids the importance of getting outside, doing things for themselves and disconnecting from technology.
“Our kids are being raised in a digital landscape now,” she said.
“They are being exposed to things far beyond what we were exposed to growing up, and from that comes a lot of issues, such as the rise in depression, anxiety, cyber bullying, etc. We see more of it as technology becomes more available to them, and we are seeing younger kids walking around with devices in their hands.
“That’s really the message we are putting out there. We want kids to get outside, see what’s in front of them and know it’s OK to put down their phone or electronic devices.”