HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-25.pdfPage 1 of 9
Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Members Present: Vicki W ilkins (Chairwoman), JoEllen Bailey, Sharon Todd,
Stephanie Mulinos, Jeff Humphrey (at 7:05 PM)
Town Recreation Director: Melissa Bianconi
Town Board Liaisons: Linda Levine and Steve Stelick, Jr.
DCDS Liaison: position open
County Youth Services Representative: Kris Bennett
Guests: Char Jeffris, applicant for open member position
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Chairwoman Wilkins.
1. Reading of the Commission Meeting Minutes:
K. Bennett indicated the minutes were incomplete and asked that the resolution be
edited to include more information.
A motion to accept the minutes as edited was offered by S. Todd, and seconded by S.
Mulinos. J. Bailey and V. Wilkins approved and J. Humphrey abstained.
2. Additions/alterations to the agenda:
3. Introduction of Guests/Prospective Members:
Char Jeffris
Ms. Jeffris lives in the village. She has recently retired from Cornell and Southworth
Library and is looking for an opportunity to be involved with the Town.
The members of the Commission shared with Ms. Jeffris the general functions, goals,
and opportunities with which the Town Board has charged the Commission.
The Commission works with four Community Associations helping with fund raising and
infrastructure, makes recommendations to the Town Board, and assists the Town
Recreation Department to provide quality recreation activities.
4. Report from Town Board Liaison: not present
5. Dryden Youth Report: attached
6. Dryden OURS report: attached
7. Community Grant Reports:
Rachel’s Challenge:
The Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission funded $3000. It was a great event, and
the Dryden Recreation department was mentioned several times.
V. Wilkins attended the fund raiser and shared Rachel’s story. She was the first person
killed at the Columbine as she was outside eating lunch. After her death, other students
came and told her parents stories about her kindness and compassion. Rachel modeled
her life after Anne Frank and she kept a journal in which she knew indicated that she
was going to die young.
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Rachel’s funeral was on shown on CNN. A man in Ohio saw the funeral and contacted
Rachel’s father about six weeks later. He told Rachel’s father about a dream about
Rachel that he kept having in which there are tears dropping from her face onto the
ground and something is growing up from them. The father indicated that the dream
didn’t mean anything to him but when her backpack (which had been kept as evidence)
was returned to her father and when he looked at the journals she had in there, he
found the last entry was the picture the Ohio man described.
8. Parks update -
Village Park: Montgomery Park
The Park is not in good shape but the new Village Mayor is very enthusiastic about
improving the conditions. M. Bianconi has been working with “Creating Healthy Places”
though the Tompkins County Human Services Coalition. They have identified Dryden as
an area of need. They cannot do infrastructure type work but they can help a lot with
planning and the cost associated with planning. The Village is working with Rick
Manning to come up with a Comprehensive Plan for the Park.
M. Bianconi showed the group a vision cloud which identified the areas that most folks
wanted for the park. The word cloud program sizes the words based on the
frequency they were used. She is hoping they can be used for advertising.
Town Park
M. Bianconi shared a report from D. Kwasnowski detailing where the DRYC should go
from here in terms of moving forward on the park. So far the Town Board has not
agreed to create that area as a Town Park. M. Bianconi said that at this point we need
to create a task force to deal specifically with the Park. As the land is in the Village, it
will have to be inter-municipal, and include Jack Bush (Highway Superintendant), the
DRYC, the Village Planning Board, homeowners, and TC3 (project creates a connection
from TC3 to the Park to the Village).
M. Bianconi expects the Town Board to make a charge to the DRYC to come up with an
actual development plan that is specific. We need to work with TG Miller – the Town’ s
engineers. The Conservation Board is interested in the wetlands, and will help with
natural interpretation and the boardwalks.
S. Mulinos asked about the budget and if we had an idea of how much the Town Board
is willing to fund. M. Bianconi replied that some of the money would come from the
Town Board, Town budget, but a lot of money will probably come from grants and
private donations.
Budget:
Community grant funding reduced to $15,000 - the Board members who first
implemented the funding feel that the initial intent and mission of that money has run it’s
course. It was intended to provide infrastructure support at some of the Community
events like the Dryden Lake Festival. Certainly the Town Board will be happy to help
should one of the Community Centers experience a disaster.
The Youth Employment Program and OURS program funding was approved. The
overall Recreation Budget decreased from last year.
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Recreation Partnership
M. Bianconi said there are issues concerning the funds that we pay toward the program.
A lot of their budget is going to the Ithaca Youth Bureau to support sal aries rather than
programs. However, one of their senior staff members just resigned and that salary is
not being reassigned so a lot of the programs previously cut are being re -instituted.
Future meetings:
October 23rd – Staff from the Recreation Partnership will be here for questions.
November and December are being combined on December 4th to allow for holidays.
M. Bianconi pointed out that the Commission has not looked at the Youth Needs
Assessment yet and that probably should be a priority at the n ext two meetings.
There being no further business, on a motion made by S. Mulinos and seconded by J.
Bailey, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk
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Dryden Youth Programs
Youth Report
9/25/2013
David Hall
Note that Fall programs are just starting as I write this report so more youth will be joining.
Ongoing Programs
1) Monday Makers
A: Participants: 8
B: Monday Makers is a youth inspired program meaning that all that we do comes from ideas
within the group. This planning encourages thinking about logistics, cost and practicality. The
planning process also encourages a bit of compromise as well as creativity.
Our first meeting was spent traveling to Lime Hollow. This spontaneous field trip was
met with one of the participants stating that “this is the best after school program ever”. In
addition to hiking and learning not to be afraid of deer we also got a close up tour of the Lime
Hollow garden from one the centers great employees. The kids got to go home with pumpkins
as well as eat sweet corn right of the plants.
Future activities will include outdoor cooking, letterboxing and a trip to the Sciencenter.
2) Community Helpers
A: Participants: 9
B: Community Helpers gets our youth involved with service projects that better their school and
community. Once again we are getting involved with the Dryden Sustainability Club and will help
with their garden and the upcoming greenhouse build. In addition to community service this
program gets kids learning by doing. We will be using hand tools to build raised garden beds.
The first part of our day has been spent weeding with the sustainability Club. After 3:00
we head out to the woods to remove invasive species such as multiflora rose and honeysuckle.
This has been a fun lesson in learning to use new tools such as a weed wrench and a come-a-
long. I have heard from several parents that their kids are having a great time.
The green house kit should arrive within the next few weeks.
3) Fun with Frisbees
A: Participants: 5 (with more on the way)
B: Fun with Frisbees encourages participants to learn a new skill, have fun and get involved in a
healthy activity. Learning Frisbee can be frustrating for some youth so we start slow with simple
games such as Frisbee Bocce while we work on the fundamentals of throwing. As skills grow the
games and challenge level increase. Our final meeting, which we will hopefully be ready for, will
be spent at TC3, playing Frisbee golf.
After our first meeting my kids were not only tired but were looking forward to more. In
addition to all of the frisbeeness we had some down time where we got to play some get to
know you games. A good number of my participants are 6th graders so it is nice to be able to
interrogate them about school and find out what they like to do.
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4) Primitive Pursuits – Session 1
A: Participants: 14
B: Primitive Pursuits teaches youth the basics of wilderness survival, nature awareness and
stewardship. Through challenges, games and activities, participants learn critical skills such as
how to stay warm, create a matchless fire, procure safe water and find food. As time and
circumstances permit we introduce crafts such as cordage making, basketry and bow making.
Our first meeting was spent “testing” the group. I broke the group up into 4 teams. Each
team was given a friction kit and asked to make fire. I gave them no instruction, only telling
them that all the correct parts were there and if they were used correctly they would make a
coal. After some frustration and literal burn out I allowed my veteran participants to guide the
rookies. I am proud to say that more than half the teams successfully made fire on their first day
of program.
5) Teen Challenges
A: Participants: 30ish (forms are still coming in)
B: This program allows student s to leave the lunch room and participate in group activities. I
emphasize cooperative games, positive communication, fun, as well as physical activity. I am
trying to keep the size of my in school groups a bit more manageable this year. I have spoken
with the guidance people and am making sure to focus on kids who are really in need of this
type of program. (Of course they are all in middle school and all could use this kind of positive
outlet)
Upcoming Programs
6) Primitive Pursuits – Session 2, Hikers Anonymous, Wildlife Watchers, Iron Chef
The following wed address will get you to our all permission form.
http://ccetompkins.org/4h/rural-youth-services/dryden
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OURS Summer 2013 Report
Nikki Nease
Summary
We set in motion the OURS and YOURS goals for autumn programming with the first
Monday Mentoring Session on September 16th. After tabling at campus information-sessions,
Cornell YOURS has proven its popularity once again by generating enough interest to recruit 85
vivacious volunteers, many of them returning to pair up and pick up where they had left off with
their faithful mentees of last semester. Attached is a copy of the Autumn OURS program flyer
and I look forward to reporting on our evolvement, including several progressive volunteer
trainings and new program developments for OURS maturing youth.
Summer Programs:
Waterfalls, 11 Participants, 2 sessions
Youth explored gorgeous Ithaca and splashed around in 2 of our famously beautiful hot
spots for summer celebration; Taughannock Falls and Treman Park, for extra long program days,
picnicking, swimming, playing games, hiking, and relaxing in the sweet sunshine. As with all
summer and winter programs, less is more when the numbers of participants for each program
shrink into tight-knit fractions. The partnerships during activities and games, group discussions
for safety precautions, and their cooperation during food preparation and cleanup, allow fresh
relationships to blossom and solidify new respect for group interdependence and harmony. We
were all granted healthy doses of fresh air and exercise to start off our summer on the right foot!
Girl's Circle, The Sequel, 8 Participants, 2 sessions with over-night
Our group of eldest girls embarked upon an epic, two-day/overnight series of adventures
together. We were invited to the Heartstone Herbal School in Van-Etten to learn about and
harvest wild edibles that we added to our healthy lunch and we made our own herbal salve and
lip balm before swimming in their pond and exploring the stunningly beautiful gardens.
Participants cooperated to set up tents together, learned to build a safe camp-fire to cook over
after a night hike, and devoured s'mores under shooting stars. Giggles finally turned into snores
and after breakfast the next morning we headed up the scenic edge of Seneca Lake to celebrate
our heritage at the Women’s Rights Museum in historical Seneca Falls.
A truly bonding experience for these young women; OURS Summer Girl’s Circle
introduced participants to the spiritually satisfying culture at Heartstone, where the teachers are
dedicated to spreading the wisdom of “the green world”. Many expressed their pleasant surprise
as they were expecting a more traditional, “boring, in-door” setting when they heard we were
visiting a school. We shared visions of how learning can be much more positive and fun than
some may think. Having a near 48 hours together provided many opportunities to share
momentous experiences; like our side trip to the Spencer Cemetery to adorn the head stone of a
Great-grandmother, whose grand-child may not have otherwise been able to venerate her since
she lives so far away. Ladies united in the cooperative task of setting up and breaking down
camp; a responsibility they expressed was typically the “man’s project”. Their pride in having
successfully accomplished this unusual undertaking was a perfect segue for our enlightening
experience at The Women’s Rights Museum, providing historical proof that women are capable
of anything we set our minds and band together to accomplish!
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OURS Summer 2013 Report- page 2
Nikki Nease
Floating Classroom, 8 Participants, 1 session
A very first for many participants, in a boat, on the lake we call our own. Youth explored
Cayuga watershed with the guidance of Captain Bill Foster and his exciting comrades. We
enjoyed the breeze up the fast track to Myers Park, at which point our shipmates got the whole
crew employed in the big fish scoop, catching lake critters with a gigantic net that took all 30 of
us to handle! Bystanders watched in amazement as we accomplished our mission, rolled up our
net and hopped back on deck with a tank of little fish to identify on our way back to the dock.
Youth participated in a highly unique opportunity to try something new and bring home an
exciting story they will always remember. OURS joined forces with the other Dryden RYS
program; a nice surprise that folks were able to mingle with schoolmates they thought they'd
have to wait another month to see again. Everyone tactfully contributed to a tremendous group
effort and successful experience that continued to engage youth in learning every moment of the
adventure.
Mystery Event, 11 Participants, 1 session
Youth celebrated the Summer, riding waterslides, swimming, and sharing a meal at
Roseland Water Park. They were presently surprised when the "Mystery Event" that they took a
chance signing up for was finally revealed! Roseland is a relatively small park with closed
quarters; participants appreciated the trust granted to them as they were allowed to roam freely in
small groups. They were very respectful of this trust; cared for one another and checked in even
more frequently than they were asked to. Participants were appreciative for this privilege and
enjoyed bonding and having a blast!
Bust A Move, 11 Participants, 2 sessions
A local contra-dance extraordinaire employed the talent of a fiddle player and invited us
to his space in Danby for storytelling, entertainment, and two-hours of
contra-dance lessons in preparation for our attendance to a community contra dance the
following evening at the Bethel Grove Community Center. Youth were introduced to the
subculture of contra-dancing, a locally favorite avocation that raises kinesthetic awareness,
requires careful listening skills, but most of all, it engenders a whimsical letting-go of
inhibitions. Youth became enlivened out on the dance floor, engaging their whole bodies in a
playfully wonderful activity that could very well progress into a groovy and healthy, life-long
hobby.
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OURS Summer 2013 Report- page 3
Nikki Nease
4H Youth Fair/State Fair, 20 Participants, 4 sessions
Youth bonded with their much-missed volunteers from previous programs to review their
culinary and kitchen-safety skills, plant-science and gardening techniques, as well the self-
sufficient art of needle and thread that many had honed during the Sew Fun program.
Participants cooperated in the plant science tent, and in the kitchen, devoting a summer week to
prepare physically and mentally for Youth Fair evaluations. Entering their projects in the 4-H
Youth Fair was an endeavor that required commitment over time and record-keeping, goal
setting, critical thinking, communication, and public speaking skills. Participants were also
introduced to new youth from Tompkins County and 4-H Youth Fair was a great opportunity for
OURS to integrate with other circles to appreciate one another's differences while reinforcing a
larger sense of belonging.
OURS youth were given the opportunity to display, gain public credit, and receive constructive
critique and awards for various projects they created throughout Winter and Spring
programming. Many projects were selected for display and evaluation at the State Fair level.
Participants whose projects were selected embarked on a field trip to Syracuse to meet judges,
visit with our 4H volunteers, see the display of all their hard work, and engage in the joys of this
fabulous event; an immensely exciting and much deserved privilege!
4H Produced In New York, 5 Participants, 7 sessions
Five participants from our 4H KICKs program exhibited noteworthy qualifications that
encouraged 4H volunteers to expand our program and assist them in the Produced In New York
cooking event, in which youth silently perform recipes in front of fair goers and evaluators.
Youth utilize locally produced foods and develop their culinary and public performance skills at
the County Youth and NY State Fairs. Because of their extraordinary culinary abilities and their
exceptionally positive dispositions, PINY participants were specifically selected from a previous
cooking program and invited to participate in this advanced activity. Very aware of these special
circumstances, and after committing to several practice sessions, they proudly stepped up to the
plate and successfully performed their unique talents, receiving support, praise and awards from
4H leaders, both locally and at The Great New York State Fair!
Youth Employment, 2 Participants, All season
Two long-term OURS Participants, (also participating in our Mentor-in-Training
Program), were interviewed, hired, and received employee training through Summer Youth
Employment. One participant experienced her second summer as Assistant Field Instructor with
Primitive Pursuits Summer Camp, and the other proudly introduced herself to her peers as OURS
Summer Program Assistant. To reward them for their efforts and help them build resumes for
future job success was a wonderful opportunity!
They were enthusiastic and grateful for the positions; it officiated much of what they already did
to support program without the money motivator. They reinforced guidelines for program safety
and efficacy with respect and led activities diplomatically. This experience will compliment their
continuation with our Mentor-In-Training program that is meant to sustain participation amongst
elder youth, who may be more apt to choose O.U.R.S. as a meaningful and skill-building after
school activity with the opportunity to advance from “mentee” to “mentor".
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