Photo by Sean Hiller

Fun Festival offers alternative activities

As Raymond Johnson sits in the warm afternoon sun listening to the bluesy sounding Freddy Brooks Band howl away about love lost, the Cal State Long Beach psychology major dreams about life after finals and fun with his favorite new sport, rock climbing.

Johnson has yet to powder his paws in white chalk and dig into the mountain of his challenge, but he is anticipating the day with great fervor.

Actually, he found what he hopes will be his newest sports passion Wednesday at the Fun Festival, presented by OPTIONS, CSULB's drug and alcohol prevention program.

"I have tried bungee jumping before and I love the rush," Johnson said. "I want a new challenge; it's an addictive thing."

Influencing students to choose extra curricular activities, the drug free kind, is the main aim for the staff at OPTIONS, according to Richilda Camba, program intern for Fun Festival.

"We wanted to make this festival a sports and recreation theme," Camba said. "It is designed as a resource for students who have used drugs and alcohol, shows them other ways to have fun."

Besides such harrowing sports as rock climbing, the festival presented more tame activities like sailing, kite- making, fencing, Akido and kayaking. Also, as a stress reliever, students bounced to their hearts content in a huge inflatable tent contraption like those usually seen at county fairs.

Though the theme of the festival was light-hearted the program's staff and volunteers have different reasons for joining the cause for a substance free university.

Some believe they are doing a part for their community, while others, like Carlos Sanchez, promotions volunteer for OPTIONS, have personal knowledge of the effects of drugs.

"I've had friends that have gone to the hospital because of drugs," Sanchez said, "so that has influenced me to volunteer for this festival."

Currently, 48 percent of CSULB students drink alcohol once a month, 14 percent use marijuana, 29 percent have driven a car while under the influence, and 22 percent smoke cigarettes.