The opportunities are endless

For those long summer days when there’s nothing to do, Harrison Medical Center is sponsoring the second annual Kitsap Youth Expo on Saturday to showcase the myriad of opportunities offered throughout the county for youth involvement.

The expo is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, at the Fairgrounds. Admission is $4, however kids 17 and younger are free. For a reduced ticket price, all McDonald’s in Kitsap County are offering $2 off coupons.

“It’s a great way for parents and their kids to see all the available opportunities in Kitsap County,” said exhibit coordinator Robert Seibert, who has put on events such as this all across the country. “There’s also volunteer opportunities.”

After growing up in Port Orchard, Seibert said he realizes the activities for kids once school is out are slim to none. He added that the goal of this expo is to get kids involved in the community, along with providing positive opportunities.

“(The expo) last year was phenomenal,” Seibert added.

Various businesses and organizations from across Kitsap County will exhibit a variety of interests for children and teens. Some of the vendors that will be present include Advantage Driving School, Northwest Paintball Park, Olympic Outdoor Center, Clayworks Pottery and Ceramics and Island Lake Camp. Seibert added that there will be various dance studios offering lessons, babysitting clubs, Skyhawks Sports Camp which offers a variety of sports to youth and Bowling Pianos Studio which is offering lessons.

“We have all-day on-stage performances with dance, music, and a mad science show,” Siebert said, adding that there is an all-day raffle for kids as well. “The raffle is cool because you get companies (donating) cool prizes like a bike, kayak lessons or a month of martial arts lessons.”

All raffle ticket sales are donated to United Way of Kitsap County as well as 25 percent of ticket sales. Seibert added that they’re expecting an attendance of 3,500 to 5,000.

“(The expo) provides thousands of Kitsap County families with 100-plus opportunities ... to showcase what they can do,” Seibert said. “It’s just a great event.”

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