February 23, 2005
GT Academy expo beats winter blahs
Child Expo features fun and games, art activities and fire safety obstacle course
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
From tummy time to first aid, trains to scooters to parachutes, the Child Expo had something for everyone.
Held Saturday at the Grand Traverse Academy, the event drew hundreds of parents and children from around the region. Young children's brains and senses were nourished with baby sign language and tactile books, infant massage and puppets. For older children, the event featured activities ranging from making sand snowmen and peanut butter-pine cone bird feeders to face painting, obstacle courses and parachute play.
For some attendees, like Anne Shoup of Empire, the range of activities in one location were a welcome winter break from routine. Attending with her two young children plus her friend from high school and her three children, Shoup appreciated the respite.
"Whenever something like this comes up, it's like, 'Phew!'" said Shoup. "My girlfriend and I just wanted to get together and another big draw for both of us was the fingerprinting. And, of course, the book fair, though we both left our wallets in the car."
In keeping with the Child Expo's theme of Fun, Safety and Learning, members of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department fingerprinted or handed out at-home kits to more than 75 attendees. These records stay with the parents and are quickly available if needed by police in the event of a kidnapping, runaway or other situation.
"This is for any age, from infants to teens," said Deputy Rick Davidson, a member of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department. "The card also includes room for a DNA sample, which can be hair or a scraping of the child's cheek."
Firefighters with the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department led children through an obstacle course to train them to safely exit a burning house. Participants started out lying on a cot and, when a fire alarm sounded, had to crawl through a tube to a window. They unlocked and exited the window, then ran to a mailbox that contained a big red button. Opening the box and pushing the button turned on a bar flashing lights, something that delighted most participants.
All activities were held in classrooms throughout the school, with the gym available for music, snacks and general romping. Tom Kaufman, an area musician and educator, played popular kids songs and also brought along instruments for children to try out. These included a trombone, a baritone, drums, boomwhackers and other percussion instruments.
The balloon room was a popular one as strategically placed fans blew dozens of brightly colored balloons around in a circular pattern. Children ran pell-mell, laughing and chasing them with glee, squealing when one popped.
"This is fun for the kids, they get to do little projects and we find out stuff about car seats and safety," said Tamera Olin, who attended the event with her husband, as her three young children chased balloons.
This is the second year that the Grand Traverse Academy has hosted the event, which was sponsored by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department, the Grand Traverse County Metro Fire Department, McLain Cycle, Northern Michigan Model Railroad Group and AC Paws.
"The purpose is to have an event that is fun and a learning opportunity for our parents and students as well as the community," said Allyson Apsey, assistant principal of the Grand Traverse Academy. "We have held it at this time of year to offer a fun learning experience when an experience like this is not usually available."
"This event has been successful and we anticipate continuing it as an annual event," she added.