Apr
15
Written by:
host
4/15/2009 7:00 AM
A fun summertime intergenerational activity you can organize easily is a Hobby Expo. Many individuals in your congregation have unusual hobbies that they rarely get to share with others. At a Hobby Expo, persons who are willing to share their pastime with others have an opportunity to do so. It's a great opportunity for community building, bringing people of many generations together.
First, choose a date for your event. A Sunday when there is no Sunday school but before everyone takes off for vacation would work well. Then, put the word out to the congregation that you are seeking individuals with a hobby that can be demonstrated in a small space (e.g. a 6' table) to others. (You may need to "prime the pump" a bit by inviting a few individuals in the congregation you know have an unusual hobby to take part.) Everyone should be invited to take part, including children and youth! Optionally, you can invite some well-known individual from your area to come and share his or her passion, such as an artist, magician, or chef, as a way of boosting interest in the event.
Encourage those who sign up to demonstrate their hobby in an interactive way, if possible, and to bring anything that can be easily viewed and handled. For example, a knitter could have a scarf started and show how to do a basic stitch; a juggler could bring extra bean bags for individuals to practice with; a photographer could bring their favorite photos. Print up a program that lists the individuals, brief details about the hobby, and their contact information (for those who may wish to continue to learn more about a particular hobby later.)
Allot space for each person in a large room, series of rooms, or even in wide hallways, once you know how much space and equipment they need. Ask your participants to set up the day before the event, ideally.
On the day of the Expo, have snacks available and very light background music playing to draw people in and lighten the mood. Allow individuals to circulate freely and spend as much time as they wish browsing displays and talking with the hobbyists.
An event like this may easily turn into congregational tradition! You can easily pair it with a fundraising lunch or add displays about congregational service projects. Seeing people's passions helps the congregation members to relate to one another on a deeper and more intimate level. It also can be a great confidence booster for children and teens. And best of all, it can really be a lot of fun!
~ Tim Gossett