Yesterday parents, grandparents, siblings, other relatives and friends crowded into the Andy Griffith Theatre to watch area children and teens perform a rather unique version of “Robinson Crusoe.”

The presentation was one given by the traveling Missoula Children’s Theatre company, featuring local youth in the major and minor roles.

Amazingly, the cast and crew started working on the stage show only on Monday. That means in a week’s time the actors learned their lines, stage blocking, and all that goes into a performance.

Today, the two folks from Missoula will be on their way to another community, where they will do the same thing starting Monday. For the children and teens left behind — and their families — are a host of memories and a great experience.

Four of my own children have participated in Missoula productions, and they were great experiences. Two of my kids figured out quickly the stage held no interest for them, so it was a one-year engagement. Another learned she rather liked the stage, but gymnastics and other activities kept her from all but two Missoula shows while she was growing up.

My oldest repeated her involvement in the production every year they came to the community we were living in at the time, and that led her to quite a bit of involvement in some community theater through her teen years. Having spent some time on stage (and working backstage) in college and community theater myself, I have greatly enjoyed having my kids involved in this activity.

But here’s the thing I find most rewarding about activities such as Missoula — the variety of experience such an endeavor gives to children.

We all know the world has changed a great deal over the past three or four decades. When most folks talk of this ever-evolving world we live in, such conversation elicits thoughts of computers and the Internet, 300-channel television, and video games that are more lifelike that some movies from just a generation ago.

But the real change, I think, has come about in the opportunity for today’s youth. Thirty years ago the idea that a group of local children could take part in a professionally produced stage show was simply beyond imagination in most communities.

I’d say the same with sports offerings and a host of other activities. I believe children today have opportunities to take part in more activities and develop a well-rounded base of experience and knowledge than perhaps at any other time in history.

And that is in no small part due to community organizations such as Surry Arts Council, and adult volunteers, such as coaches, who are willing to focus their efforts on today’s youth.

However, I fear that too many young people are missing out on some wonderful opportunities, simply because it’s sometimes not as convenient or as easy as staying home, playing video games, watching television.

I hope area parents will encourage their kids to get involved in activities such as these, and will go the extra mile it sometimes takes to do so. You, and your children, will always be thankful you did.

John Peters is the editor for The Mount Airy News. He can be reached at jpeters@mtairynews.com or at 719-1931.