To reinforce the importance of teen pregnancy prevention and to celebrate Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, community organizations in the Modesto area are teaming up for a night of fun and entertainment on Thursday, May 23 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Boomers (formerly Camelot Park) at 4215 Bangs Road in Modesto. The theme of the event is “It’s up to me.” All games are free to the first 400 young people between the ages of 12 – 18. The event will feature prizes, music, educational activities and the various games at the park including go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf, video games and boats. The cost is $10 for those arriving after the first 400 people.

Interviews and photo opportunities will be available on-site.

Artwork will be on display from the winners of Stanislaus County/San Joaquin County teen pregnancy prevention poster contest. The contest includes winners from a Junior High and Senior High Division.

“Young people want honest and accurate health information,” stated Belinda Rolichek of the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA). “This event is designed to be a blast, but it’s also designed to answer their questions and to have a message for them.”

Interspersed with go-carts, miniature golf and batting cages, will be interactive booths and staff to answer questions that youth might have. Youth in attendance will receive a passport that will be stamped at the location of each attraction in the park.

Emma Pineda, Director of Teen Life Challenge, believes that the event is important for her group because “West Modesto has the highest teen pregnancy rate in Stanislaus County. The community itself feels teen pregnancy is an issue.”

Laura Tarlo of the HSA also noted, “When the U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate of all developed countries and a million teens are becoming pregnant each year, you know there’s a problem. 95% of teen pregnancies are unintended. Education is a vital component for our youth.”

The event is sponsored by the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Teen Life Challenge, Haven Women’s Center and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 10 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 500,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.hsahealth.org