GREENFIELD — Registration is filling up fast for Greenfield Community College’s inaugural Youth Fest, the first event of its kind aimed at welcoming young people to the campus.

“We’re trying to make GCC more of a welcoming place in the community,” said Director of Communications and Marketing Dan Desrochers. “We don’t want to seem like we’re just an educational resource; we’re more than that.”

Youth Fest, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will offer free food, music, a bounce house and a resource fair for young pre-teens, teens and their families.

“We’ve invited Piti Theatre, Recovery Theatre … and we have one of our alums who has her own business teaching dance,” said Associate Dean of Community Engagement Judy Raper.

The core of Youth Fest will take place at Cohn Family Dining Commons, with some events happening elsewhere, including the front lawn, depending on the weather.

Raper explained the inspiration from Youth Fest arose as she has been working with admissions staff to try to get “more young people on campus to interact with the campus in a meaningful way.”

“Research tells us that when young people spend time on college campuses in their formative years, they’re more likely to consider that as an option later,” Raper said.

And with school vacation next week, it seemed “the perfect time” to invite students and their families to spend some time on campus.

Beyond that, Raper said GCC hopes to continue opening its doors for more in-person engagement with the community.

Registration is filling up fast, according to Raper. Anyone interested in attending should register in advance via gcc.mass.edu/events/youth-fest.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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