News » Local News

Subscribe

Get outside and interact with family

Outdoor expo allows families to become closer together in safe environment

Claudia Ospina, 4, learned how to make a new friend by feeling a goat at the expo.
  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •
  • Tara Bozick •
  • Originally published January 31, 2009 at 11:10 p.m., updated January 31, 2009 at 11:10 p.m.

Five-year-old Sing Gutierrez steadied herself to hold a bow for the first time.

She shot two arrows into Styrofoam balls, hitting the target.

The Our Lady of Victory pre-kindergartner skipped back to her mom, shouting "Did you see me?"

"I saw you!" Selena Ortiz shouted back, giving Sing a high-five. "That was good for your first time."

Sing hugged her mom and agreed. She enjoys spending time with family.

"Because I love her. We're friends, right?" Sing said, looking up at Ortiz.

Selena brought her daughter to the Family Outdoor Expo at the Victoria Community Center on Saturday to meet up with relatives while riding ponies, paddling kayaks and climbing rock walls.

The event, coordinated by the Experience Excellence Christian ministry, sought to bring families together in a safe environment while introducing kids to new pastimes, ministry founder Glen Dry, from Victoria, said. Coordinators planned the activities out in stations to correlate with the seven days of creation.

"My prayer is that families get to spend time together, to have a safe day, to be encouraged and also be introduced to the creator," Dry said.

He estimated 8,000 people attended the $50,000 event that relied on sponsors and about 800 volunteers. Dry just enjoys seeing the smiles on kids' faces.

"It's worth everything, all the money we spend," he said.

Selena likes creating new memories with her loved ones. She hung out with sister, Jennifer Garza, brother-in-law, Eli Garza, and 6-year-old nephew, Emiliano Garza. They usually catch up only on weekends.

Cousins Emiliano and Sing shot pellet guns to knock down targets together in a gun safety course while the parents cheered them on.

Eli, Victoria County assistant district attorney, remembers growing up with a strong family who played outside together, rather than just watching TV or playing video games.

"Doing things outside, you actually interact with people in love," he said.

Jennifer agreed that being a family meant more than living in a home. She appreciates the chances she gets to teach the kids new skills.

"By doing things together, you see the important role of being a role model for your child," the Victoria College psychology instructor said. "It builds those memories that are going to last."

Emiliano, an Our Lady of Victory first-grader, was hesitant to try the archery at first. After successfully shooting a sculpted bear three times in the stomach, he couldn't wait to brag to his parents.

When they congratulated him with double high-fives, he hugged his mom tight.

"I love 'em," he said about his family.

  • NEXT YEAR'S FAMILY EXPO

    Next expo is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2010.

    Find out how to become a partner or volunteer at www.familyoutdoorexpo.org or call 361-572-9604.


Sign Up
CLOSE

  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •