Kids enjoyed bounce houses at the Menifee Youth Fair on Saturday. (Photos by Emily Baierl)
Families gathered Saturday at Lazy Creek Park for the Youth Fair, hosted by Youth Leaders of Menifee, where booths and activities filled the park.
“The goal is basically to let our community know about different resources available to youth in the community,” said Kymberly Victorio, community services coordinator with the City of Menifee, who oversees youth programs. “A lot of our residents don’t know what’s out there and so being able to connect different businesses, different programs to families and the youth makes a big difference.”
The fair brought together a wide range of offerings.
“We have our summer camp programs offered by different agencies, our Boys & Girls Club, the City of Menifee’s sports programs and Healthy Menifee,” she said. “We have chiropractic care for youth, martial arts, and different contract classes that the city offers.”
Many booths included hands-on displays, giveaways and opportunities for families to sign up on the spot.
Maria Mack, left, and youth golf program representatives promote the program and its interactive golf display for kids.
At one booth, Maria Mack, a local educator, promoted a youth golf camp that blends math with the sport.
“As a teacher, I know that sometimes math can be intimidating,” Mack said. “It’s hard to connect it to things they do every day and the sports they enjoy, but this is a fun way for them to learn both.”
This program, run through the Hope Vision Center in partnership with First Tee, will take place in the spring and again in the summer. It combines time on the course with coaches and math sessions led by credentialed teachers.
“Part of it is they’re out playing golf,” Mack said. “And then the other part, we are having a math session. We might be outside and they’re at clipboards writing down things.”
Representatives from the Lake Elsinore Storm were also at the event, sharing ticket options and upcoming promotions for families.
“We’re basically just here promoting all the different options that we have,” said team representative Brianna, pointing to the organization’s “flexbooks,” which she described as “a group of undated vouchers that we sell that people can turn in for any games this year.”
She said the team is also planning youth-focused events early in the season.
“The first three weekends of our season we’re having youth sports days, so we’re having a lot of local little leagues and softball leagues out,” Brianna said. “We have a package that includes a parade on the field, so that’s always a big hit.”
Brett Dooley, left, and Margaret Ozolins of the Western Science Center display Ice Age animal replicas at their booth.
Staff from the Western Science Center drew attention at their booth, where they displayed replicas of Ice Age animals.
“Some of the animals were found in Hemet,” said Brett Dooley, a Western Science Center representative. “These same animals would have been living here in Menifee.”
“We host a lot of programs, including our Science Saturday program,” Dooley said. “We have usually between 10 and a dozen free activities for kids. Each month is a different science theme, so you can come month after month and it’s always new.”
Andrew Wells, right, and staff from 33 Elite Fitness and Performance promote the Kids Club.
Other booths focused on health and wellness. At 33 Elite Fitness and Performance, staff highlighted a Kids Club designed to keep children active.
“We want them to come in and not be stuck on their phones or tablets,” said Andrew Wells, a rep from 33 Elite. “We want to engage with them. We want to have them walk out in a better mood than they came in.”
Wells said the impact is clear in how children respond.
“At first they’ll be crying… they don’t want to go into the kids club,” he said. “But then they’re crying on the way out because they don’t want to leave.”
Another booth, run by the City of Menifee, highlighted a mix of classes such as fitness, cooking and swim lessons for kids and families.
“I think just being well-versed in many skills is a very good thing to grow up with,” said Nick, a representative at the booth. “Learn how to cook, learn how to swim.”
Signage at the Boys & Girls Club booth highlights the variety of classes and programs available for youth.
The Boys & Girls Club also drew interest from families, highlighting a variety of programs included with membership.
“We offer soccer, we offer piano lessons for free, we do a manga class and we have a dance class,” said staff member Tiffany Hernandez.
She said events like the fair help reach families who may not be aware of available resources. For Victorio, that kind of awareness is exactly what the event is meant to build.
“It’s just a way to get everybody out, get everybody connected, and really just kind of have fun and know what the city has to offer,” Victorio said.
