Teens line up for autographs at the special-guest booth for all-girl band ARIUM, who will perform at this year’s TeenFest

Teens line up for autographs at the special-guest booth for all-girl band ARIUM, who will perform at this year’s TeenFest

TeenFest offers teens a boost

Festival booths include colleges, job-hunting help

When Surrey Coast Capital Savings TeenFest opens its doors at the end of the month, it will feature far more than simply great entertainment – there are plenty of educational opportunities, too.

The Jan. 31 event – set for Cloverdale’s Agriplex and aimed at those aged 12 to 18 – is full of opportunities to “learn, connect and share” through informative displays and hands-on exhibits, including booths focused on everything from driving skills to job-hunting resources.

When it comes to career-building, WorkBC’s Find Your Fit exhibit should be of interest to high-schoolers. The interactive event invites students from Grades 6-10 to test their skills needed for a variety of different careers currently in demand across the province.

“This terrific hands-on program will help students apply real life experiences to their career planning,” said Ali Berman, who co-founded the event with husband Wayne Berman.

Visitors will find four different areas to explore – Life and Education, Cool Stuff, Fashion and Beauty, and Health and Wellness – along with workshops, entertainment, prize draws and more.

“It’s just a really fun, cool place to come hang out for the day,” Berman said.

Among the organizations on hand for the totally teen-focused show will be Girl Guides of Canada, Scouts Canada, YMCA and the BC Lung Association, Sophie’s Place, McCreary Centre Society, MADD Canada, ICBC, Arts Umbrella, Pathfinder Youth Services, and Keep A Breast Canada, Options for Sexual Health.

Academic institutions offering a peek at their programs include the event’s Health & Wellness area sponsor, West Coast College of Massage Therapy, and also Kwantlen Polytechnic University, CG Masters School of 3D Animation and Visual Effects, Mark Anthony Academy of Cosmetology, Automotive Training Centres, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, New Image College of Fine Arts, Northern Lights College, Vancouver Community College, CDI College, Vancouver Career College, John Casablancas Institute, Trinity Western University and the Industry Training Authority.

TeenFest will be held Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Cloverdale Agriplex (17798 62 Ave.). For more, visit www.teenfest.ca

Peace Arch News