A spark can be defined as “a small amount of a quality or intense feeling,” according to the Oxford dictionary. On April 2, youth aged 12-18 will have a chance to see what “sparks” their curiosity at the Ignite UR Spark Youth Fair at Exhibition Park (North Pavilion).
The fair will be an afternoon of discovery, with over 40 different areas of interest including cooking, volleyball, kayaking, jewelry-making, parkour, skateboarding and more.
Chris Windle, prevention counsellor with Lethbridge Addiction and Mental Health Services, says the goal is to help kids discover what they are excited and passionate about, and to connect youth with an adult or group in the community who can help further that excitement.
“It’s making sure kids know what a spark is so they can pursue that,” says Windle. “The more sparks a person can identify for themselves, the better off they are. They are more likely to make good health decisions, feel better about themselves, have improved mental health, and make better decisions about drinking and drugs.”
In its second year the fair is the result of collaboration from three coalitions: the Community Substance Abuse Resource Team (CSART), Community Developmental Assets Collaboration (CDAC), and the Assisted Learning Environment Response Team (ALERT). Windle is an active member in all three coalitions.
“I think it’s only growing in momentum,” says Windle. “I’m hoping we’ll get a lot of people out this year.”
Windle says the change in venue this year to Exhibition Park has allowed organizers to bring in a greater variety of activities to try.
“This year at the exhibition, we can have dogs and cars and bikes, skateboards, all that stuff we couldn’t have before [at the U of L track],” says Windle.
“The activities are all going to be interactive, so it’s not just walking by a display and picking up a brochure. The youth will be able to hands-on try out the stuff.”
Katie Wieler, a University of Lethbridge student intern in the addictions counselling program, is helping to organize the event. She says everyone who attends will receive a passport to collect stamps as they visit booths and enter a draw at the end for some really great prizes, including a longboard, video games, gift certificates and a gym membership.
Students won’t be left hanging after the fair.
“All the booths will provide information on how they can get involved with [that activity] in the community,” says Wieler.
Windle says without funding from the three coalitions, the fair would not be possible, and that events like these are essential in youth development.
“When you’re engaging in those sparks, there’s a sense of accomplishment and pride and passion for it that makes someone feel good. It helps to build their confidence and their skills in that area,” says Windle.
Parents must sign a waiver consenting to their child’s participation that is to be presented at the entrance of the fair. For more information or to download a waiver, visit sparkfair.ca or check out the Facebook page.