HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-12Dryden Youth Commission
Mims #cs, August 1, 009
Present; Tom Fuchs C +nthia Waterman, t
} V�late ephanie 117corunell, Jo�'�llen Bailey, Iris BcnneCk; ucsts:
Meghan Ceraeny (CCE's Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program); Mick Dunlop and Michelle Ciaschi
(Brooktondale Camp)
Torn welcomed a11, introductions were made_
Departs liom D Y funded programs: Youth Horticulture Apprentige Program Meghan shared photos
from this summer's project at the Ithaca Children's Garden at Cass Park, Ithaca. DYC funds a summer
job for one T. Dryden youth employee. (who attends LA 5 his photo was featured in the July article in
the Ithaca Journal). Other youth employees are funded through other sources. This summer's projects
included: building 2 deer -proof gates into the vegetable garden, shade structures, a pergola and benches;
constructing a lame bird's nest and bird garden ('with a gaunt li7o n the Cornell Ornithology Lab);
mulching (on Ithaca Commons), weeding, planting; making wind C.iiUnes and clay pot people; rebuilding
the swings, Meghn ui tries to balance hard work with fun. She brings in resource people including CC.E's
master composters, experts on nutrition, 1Iami entrepreneurship, landscape design and they did oft =site
visits to expand gardening knowledge though lack of transportation Ili-nits their ability to get off site.
YHAP also worked with the Urban 4H youth participants. Mouth are all hard workers who are enjoying
their work experience. 'Phis summer they piloted a farm druid to sell some of their produce but it was not
well attended. Other produce is used by garden visitors and program participants. Me&ai would Iike to
expand the program in the future so work can also take place in the spring and fall; this could involve
either pmd positions or volunteers_ This summer the Chi I drer's Garden hosted a community celebration
for Gala's (the stone turtle) birthday. The Children's Garden also needs signage_
Brookto�ndale Summ am
er Camp Nick. Dunlop is in Iris 3`� year as camp director; Michelle (an IC D
teacher's aide) is in her first as assistant director. DC funds slots for T. Dryden youth to attend the
camp; this year 4 Dryden youth attended and one more is interested in being a CIT. Total campers, ages
4 -13 (including CIT`s) � 57. Camp costs 30lweek; many parents overpay in order to support camp for
others who cannot afford the full fee. Camp runs from 9 -noon and is loosely structured, youth have
options to participate in planned activities (crabs, sports, painting) but, like an after- school program,
choose what they do. The oarnp also has theme days (carnival, Olympics). Responding to parent
requests, the camp is extending 2 more weeks this year, Many campers come up through the ranks and
the camp tries to accommodate theirs as CIT's which has created a large number of C Ws. The camp
received a $10DO grant this year to support. the, CIT's who will receive a small stipend at the end of the
surnmer. Nick reported that the Ithaca Journal W111 visit later this week to do a feature article. The camp
is exploring expanding to a full -day for next year (Kris reminded Tick that this was tried a couple years
ago without success; lie has no records about this,) _ Stephanie offered some advice based on FreeviIIe's
expansion several years ago. Nick has some frustration wi kin poor communication with the Brooktondale
Community CounClI Board; he has lithe in formation about the bud aet or other organIzational matters.
Nick requested a new czopy of the youth evaluation Comp; Kris gave him one copy and will email it to
Michelle (nnichclleciasclii (a,yalloo,com�
V. FreeviI I CaM Stephanie McConnell serves as administra #ive coordinator for the camp. Lacey
Hulslarrder is serving her second year as camp director. DYC helps fund youth jobs for 4 Jr, counselors, 4
sr, counselors and 1 CIT at the camp, The camp offers fu 11 day or reduced day (9"' 3) options; cost is
$75 /wmk with seine scholarships available, Camp will run i'or 7 weeks this suramer_ Enrollment is down
from last year, causing hours to be cut For some J r, counselors. It's a challenge to know how many staff to
hire to meet Health Dept. ratios without knowirng what enrollment will be! Most counselors returned this
year and 2 of last year's 3 CIT's were hired as junior counselors. The camp policy is to rehire if the
counselor had a good evaluation. The camp offers structured activities and the campers choose what they
want to do. Each week has a theme; parents receive a weekly newsletter. Fridays are for field trips. Staff •
received training and orientation before camp started.
V. Dryden Youth Jobs Kris reported for Deb Marrotte, V. Dryden Clerk who was unable to attend. Kris
had met with Deb last week and visited both work sites: DYC finds 2 youth jobs at the summer camp
and l at the Dept. of Public Works. Erin Hansen, a Dryden teacher, is in her first year as camp director.
Camp operates full clay, serving 55 total campers this summer with 6 stair. To reduce costs this year, the
camp eliminated Friday field trips but has brought in many outside presenters, takes walking trips to the
library and invested in books the youth will enjoy for years to come. Erin sends home a weekly parent
newsletter and has theme weeks. All staff were trained before the start of camp.
The young man working at DPW just graduated from Did
this summer for DPW. These include mowing, weeding,
lay new sidewalks. He takes great pride in his work, is a
well independently. His only other previous summer job
Corps a few years ago.
Men
trasl
hard
was
High School and does a variety of projects
► removal, painting fire hydrants, helping
worker, enjoys working outside and works
with DYC- funded Youth Conservation
Monitoring Updates Kris shared copies of her monitoring reports. She visited V. Freeville Camp, V.
Dryden Camp, youth worker at V. Dryden DPW, and Jr. Fire Academy (one of Dave Hall's summer
programs. Kris' colleague Karen Coleman visited Brooktondale Camp. (The camp receives funding from
Dryden and Caroline Youth Commissions so Kris and Karen monitor in alternate years.) DYC members
had no additional monitoring reports to share.
2010 Budget. Discussion Kris shared a draft budget reflecting anticipated cuts from both the state and S
county. If the Town reduces its contribution, total cuts will exceed $4600. DYC members agreed to ask
that the Town keep its 2010 contribution the same as in 2009; Tom will draft a letter to Mary Ann
Sumner; Stephanie will request a meeting to discuss. The budget request will be due in early Sept.; this
needs to happen right away. A brief discussion about possible fundraising followed; Stephanie said that
the Freeville church hosts chicken barbecues and donates some of the proceeds to organizations that help
with the event. No decision was made to pursue any fundraising options.
Needs Assessment Shari g Thanks to Stephanie for her work in drafting the summary. V. Dryden and
Freeville mayors have received copies of the assessment and it is also posted on the ToI&III's DYC
webpage. Who else should receive a copy? All who contributed/participated, Dryden principals (who
should be encouraged to share it with faculty and staff); .Dryden county legislators. One edit to title was
suggested before it is shared with others.
June Minutes were approved unanimously with no edits.
Other Kris met with new V. Dryden Bandy Sterling recently to share background about DYC and how V.
Dryden intersects with funded programs, youth served and seats on DYC.
Next iyieetin will take place Tues. Sept. 8 when DYC members will review requests for 2010 funding
from programs. Kris mailed paperwork to solicit applications in July.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. •
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