Staff file photo / R. Michael Semple The Butler Institute of American Art is one of 14 destinations with the Economic Action Group’s YoPass program, designed to encourage families to visit attractions in Youngstown.

Mahoning Valley residents don’t need a passport to take advantage of local destinations, but there are some perks available for families that have one.

The Economic Action Group created YoPass, a digital passport program highlighting 14 places in Youngstown. Passport holders can collect digital stamps at each place they visit and earn perks and prizes depending on how many of the stops they visit.

The program starts with a launch party May 2 at the McDonough Museum of Art, 525 Wick Ave., and runs through October.

EAG Marketing Manager Kennedy Kish said, “The main goal with the pass is to encourage families to visit all of these destinations. I think that one of Youngstown’s strengths is these museums and arts destinations. But how many families truly go out and visit them? Especially over the summer, it’s a perfect opportunity to go out, find something new in your city and find something that really complements what you’re learning in school.”

Downtown Youngstown area YoPass destinations are: SMARTS, OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor and Arms Family Museum.

The program also includes four Youngstown State University locations (Ward Beecher Planetarium, Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum, Rose Melnick Medical Museum, McDonough Museum of Art) and three Mill Creek MetroParks spots (Lanterman’s Mill, Ford Nature Center, Fellows Riverside Gardens).

Some attractions outside of the city expressed interest in being involved, Kish said, but EAG decided to keep the focus on Youngstown destinations for the first year.

Most stops have tasks visitors must complete to earn their digital passport, from art activities to scavenger hunts. And many will pass out swag (things like stickers, pencils and wristbands) to passport holders. Most of the locations have free admission, and OH WOW! will have a discount available for passport holders.

Those who visit at least five locations will receive an invitation to the YoPass wrap party. Those who visit at least 10 spots will get a $15 gift card to a local restaurant.

Kish said they’re still working on what the prize will be for those who visit all 14 destinations.

The idea for YoPass grew out of EAG’s internship program, Kish said. One of the program’s mentors was Janet Yaniglos, who serves on the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s board.

“She came to us with an idea for a downtown Youngstown passport program that would include a lot of the museums and arts and cultural destinations, and would reward families in particular for visiting those locations.”

After the presentation the interns created at the end of last summer, EAG decided to implement the program this year.

“Even though their internship was over, EAG hired two of the four interns,” Kish said. “Along with the task that they were assigned for the internship itself, they also got to work hands-on to continue building out this passport program. Now it’s become YoPass, and we expanded to include some of the Mill Creek MetroPark sites, which has been really cool, and it’s going to be digital. So it’s changed a little bit, but the core has definitely remained the same.”

The launch party at the McDonough will include light refreshments and children’s activities hosted by OH WOW!, the library, the Butler and the steel museum. Admission is free, and attendees will be encouraged to visit some of the YoPass participants and start collecting those digital stamps once the party ends.

“Some of the downtown restaurants are going to be partnering with us for the launch party event, so they’re going to be having specials or YoPass exclusive deals,” Kish said. “While they’re out and about exploring these places, we also really encourage them to visit the downtown eateries and restaurants to really get a full understanding of what all Youngstown has to offer now.”