If you go   The Glassman Foundation 2005 Youth Expo   ● What: Seven youth organizations will host activities and displays.   ● When: 1-5 p.m. Saturday   ● Where: Tucson Electric Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way   ● Cost: $1 per person. Children younger than 5 will be admitted free.   ● Information: 750-0385 or www.glassmanfoundation.org

Kids and their families can get a taste of the fun stuff that builds character at the 2005 Youth Expo at Tucson Electric Park on Saturday.

Seven area nonprofit organizations that serve youths will show what they're made of with activities and demonstrations.

"It's like a buffet of opportunity for kids," said Rodney Glassman, founder of the Glassman Foundation, which is sponsoring the Expo. The Glassman Foundation raises funds for organizations devoted to helping kids get new experiences in the arts, recreation and education. @232 Subhead Giza 12:Here's a list of Expo participants: The Catalina Council of the Boy Scouts of America is for ages 7-21. Girls age 14 and older also can join. According to Josh Fisher, program director at the Catalina Council of the Boy Scouts, the organization prepares young people to make ethical choices. Scouts pledge an oath to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Members of the Boy Scouts will be offering several activities at the Expo. Among them: Pinewood Derby and Rain- gutter Regatta races, which visitors can watch; birdhouse- and film canister rocket-building; a monkey rope bridge; and an obstacle course. Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts, is all about career exploration. For ages 14-20, Learning for Life is a "great opportunity for kids to experience different career aspects," Fisher said. "(Members) experience the inside workings of law-enforcement agencies." For the Expo, the organization will have emergency vehicles on display, including a mobile command center, and U.S. Border Patrol representatives and Tucson police and firefighters will be on hand. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson works to help youths ages 7-17 develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. Staffers and volunteers provide daily programs and activities in five areas: health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation. The Sahuaro Girl Scout Council offers indoor and outdoor activities, challenges, recognition, fun and friendship for ages 5-17. According to Andrea Cancholla, development director of the Sahuaro Council, their objective is to develop women for the 21st century. This year, the council will be celebrating its 70th birthday, so members will have cake to hand out at the Expo. They also will have robotics demonstrations, a climbing wall, astronomy exhibits, hip-hop dancing and a fashion show featuring Girl Scout uniforms through the ages. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson pairs children with adult mentors. "Big Brothers Big Sisters puts magic into a child's life by providing them with an adult friend," said Dave Greene, recruitment and retention director. Through that friendship, children are more likely to stay in school and less likely to get involved in drugs and alcohol. Their family and peer relationships also improve, according to a study done by the national nonprofit organization Public/Private Ventures, Greene said. To be a "Little," children should be between the ages of 6 and 16. "Bigs" should be 18 or older. Those who are age 15 and older can be a "Big" with the Site-Based Mentoring Program, which takes place in school. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson will offer bowling with two pins and a volleyball at the Expo. Head, heart, hands and health: These are the four corners of 4-H, an organization that serves both rural and city young people ages 5-19 with an interest in animals and home and life skills. The club also emphasizes citizenship. "You learn how you can be a leader in your community," said Julie Adamcin, a Cooperative Extension 4-H agent. At the Expo, 4-H members will demonstrate pigeon racing, geocaching and water conservation activities. Using proven programs, Pima Youth Partnership works to educate the youths of rural Pima County to assist them in making healthy life choices. The organization will have informational displays and hip-hop dance demonstrations at the Expo.