HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-24-attachments DRYDEN O.U.R.S. 2015 Program Manager: Nikki Nease
Dryden O.U.R.S. Youth Programs 2015 Annual Report Program Manager: Nikki Nease Total Unduplicated Count 51 Male 22 Female 29 Distribution by Age of Unduplicated Youth (Age as January 1) 5 under 6 7 8 0 0 4 4 9 10 11 6 10 9 12 13 10 1 14 15 4 1 16 17 1 1 18 over 18 0 0 Total Duplicated Participation 270 Distribution by Program Participation 1 Program: 9 2 Programs: 4 3 Programs: 5 4 Programs: 3 5 Programs: 7 6 Programs: 5 7 Programs: 5 8 Programs: 5 9 Programs: 3 10 Programs: 1 11 Programs: 1 12 Programs: 1 13+ Programs: 2
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Winter‐Stay Fit 3 8 ‐ 14 3 7 10 9 Activities: OURS Youth, aged 7‐9, spent 3 sessions bonding, swimming, playing, trying new games, and staying active at the YMCA. Life Skills/Outcomes: Participants gained knowledge about a local resource for staying fit and defeating cabin fever during the cold, dark months as they were encouraged to continue their community connection with the YMCA with their families even after our program sessions together ended. We gained a level of comfort and respect in a new public space, sharing the pool, toys, and sports equipment with other visitors of the YMCA. 2015‐Winter‐4H KICKs 4 10 ‐ 17 7 11 18 16 Activities: With many thanks to the Dryden Opportuntiy Fund, 4H KICKs IV recieved grant funding from them once again, allowing volunteers to spice up each session with new elements that expand food‐based knowledge and excite past particpants to return. This fourth season of KICKs we took part in the Pizza project (with 6 sessions altogether, counting the first two in December) ‐ allowing us to explore a myraid of healthy and super creative versions of our favorite food; fit for any meal, any time of the day! With impressive attendance to another KICKs traditional event, we organized a feast at 4H Acres. After voting on thier favorite recipes from the preceding sessions, we proudly prepared a meal for families and friends, and ceremoniously honored the support from each volunteer. Our final session took us behind the scenes of Pizza Hut and the manager enlightned us about his long and a prosperous career in a positive setting that other employees also agreed was a great job that they all loved working. We delighted in the privelage of making our own pizzas, the Pizza Hut way, and we celebrated another great seasontogether! Life Skills/Outcomes: This cooking program is an official OURS/4H tradition in its 4th year, and it is revisited every summer as KICKs participants and 4H volunteers reunite during the weeks of the 4H Youth Fair. We continued the youth‐leadership element that allows seasoned participants to review their knowledge by teaching new‐comers basic culinary skills and kitchen‐safety techniques, and to constructively divvy tasks to reach each session's goals. Working together to make a meal incorporates self‐ confidence, team‐building, interdependence, safety and time‐management skills, a sense of trust for oneself and others to make the right decisions that will lead to a successful product, as well as a willingness to experiment and try new things. Youth were focused and self‐directed, cooperative and sharing, self‐aware, resourceful, and motivated to proudly and timely present their pizzas each evening!
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Winter‐Music 4 Wizards 9 ‐ 14 3 9 12 10 Activities: A local Musician/Performer/Community Educator led us in four weeks of programming that revolved around the art, science, and engineering of musical sound. She brought instruments from around the world and particpants became familiar with the cultural history, technical innerworkings, and musical jargon. We joined together in song and experimented with new insturments. Youth engineered their own instruments out of common household recycleables and materials doanted form local businesses. Life Skills/Outcomes: Youth bonded with a new adult from their community who possessed a truly contagious zest for life, rhythm, and sounds of all sorts. We co‐planned program days that successfully encouraged everyone to push boundaries, gain self‐confidence, and "band" together to accomplish group‐goals and our Music‐educator reported that she gained valuable insight that allowed her to grow as a teacher and mentor. The instruments we we learned about and experimented with, and the instruments we created, became increasingly more complex; performances became increasingly more involved and group success relied upon the participation ofeveryone. 2015‐Winter‐Geocaching 3 and Animal Tracking 10 ‐ 12 8 2 10 7 Activities: Youth bundled up and met weekly to investigate the Winter woods. We followed tracks and played games that incorporated field guides, cameras, GPS units, and printed material to help us understand the behaviours of animals within the wilderness that surrounds our main program‐site. Because we lack the insulation that our furry friends are blessed with, we spent a significant portion of each session learning how to build fires. Tree identification and environmental awareness became critical as youth experimented with natural materials druing solo and group oriented fire‐challenges. Our final session brought us to the Cayuga Nature Center where displays of information, live animals, and scads of taxidermied species really culminated all that we had studied up to that point. Life Skills/Outcomes: Youth practiced new naturalist skills and got outdoors for essential winter‐time activity that helps beat the winter blues and combat cabin fever. Everyone came a long way in terms of shifting negative perspectives around failed attempts to accomplish group goals‐toward more positive acknowledgment that we are able to learn through experimentation and practice. Frustrating challenges resolved into moments for growth.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Spring‐Tuesday 11 Leadership Council 12 ‐ 17 2 5 7 6 Activities: O.U.R.S. Teens and Y.O.U.R.S. Mentors took turns leading Power Point/Prezi presentations of their personal choice. The Leadership Council received a presentation and guided tour of TC3, and discussed their college‐aspirations with their Mentors at the TC3 Dining Hall. A yearly, traditional fieldtrip, funded by the Cornell Partnership board, brought us on an overnight adventure to New York City! Life Skills/Outcomes: The Structure of this program was shaped in direct response to challenges we experienced during the Fall Semester. The relationships between OURS and YOURS were challenged by our observation that teens sought attention from their Mentors by attempting to shock them with reports of risky behaviors that were beyond the norm of what we expected from the OURS Teens. We intentionally created an atmosphere in which teens and Mentors could formally present their successes and aspirations to one another in way that commended constructive, positive ways of being, and affirmed high expectations & goals for the future. Our acknowledgement of one another's unique interests and strengths directed a deeper exploration of college and career pathways that we will continue to investigate. The presentations also inspired an awareness of cultural diversity that opened doors of communication around stereo‐types, acceptance, and the celebration of unique differences! Our culminating field trip to NYC fully engaged OURS Teens in an eye‐opening experience with a highly‐diverse community outside of Dryden. Participants felt trusted and privileged; two very important emotions that help us retain elder‐youth, longer term, with more positive out‐comes around high‐expectations. 2015‐All Year‐Girl's 9 Ventures 12 ‐ 14 0 4 4 3 Activities: Funded by a grant form the City Federation of Women's Organizations, a selection of Dryden OURS, teen‐aged girls were invited to join forces with girls from other RYS municipalites for monthly adventures including: An overnight event at 4H Acres, the annual Sister‐Firends event at Ithaca College, the Women's Rights Museum in Seneca Falls, body‐image activites and clothing swap with Plato's Closet and Trader K's, Canoeing/Kayaking and Team‐building at Stewart Park, High‐Ropes course at Destiny USA, Carpentry with Hammerstone School for Women, Career exploration with a panel of women in "non‐ traditional" careers, and our end of the year celebration event with activities designed by the girls. Life Skills/Outcomes: Young women built new relationships with teens and RYS Program Managers from all around Tompkins County. We tried new things together that we never knew we could; building confidence and self‐esteem, expanding our horizons, and developing a more positive outlook for the future.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Spring‐Monday 9 Mentoring 8 ‐ 17 16 19 35 26 Activities: The Quintessential O.U.R.S. & Y.O.U.R.S. Program: Each participant is paired 1:1 with a Cornell‐Student Mentor. Pairs bond every Monday of the Semesters for at least one, and up to four years together. Eldest participants have the opportunity to apply for Mentor‐In‐Training Positions. Engineering Fraternity; Theta Tau, funded and facilitated experiential STEM activities during the second half of Monday‐Mentoring Programs. Life Skills/Outcomes: Consistent meetings and Mentor‐Trainings (outside of actual program sessions) fostered meaningful relationships, progressive, positive experiences and life‐skill‐building for Mentor‐Mentee pairs. Mentors‐In‐Training got to reshape program through hands‐on trainings; "shadowing" pairs, planning and leading activities and special events for their younger peers, and sharing expressive voice that is factored into programmatic developments 2015‐Spring‐Thursday 9 Word Buffs + MITs Lead The Way! 8 ‐ 17 5 13 18 15 Activities: This program united the youngest and eldest of OURS. Reading of the interactive "Story of the Day", was followed by four thematic stations for Mentor‐Mentee pairs to engage in hands‐on activities that necessitated reading and celebrated literacy. Mentors‐In‐Training facilitated activities and they led one of four stations in small groups every Thursday. Life Skills/Outcomes: In the spirit of making program a more successful experience for everyone, we resolved to completely restructure Thursday Programs this semester. We provided an array of opportunities within a structure that aligns specifically to this age range; 7‐ 9 years; and that allow everyone to listen to stories, read aloud in order to conduct experiments, play games, investigate environments, create crafts and gifts, and to interact as a team to build life‐skills that are centered around a celebration of reading and writing.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Spring‐Double‐Digit 8 Fridays 10 ‐ 12 9 3 12 8 Activities: We partnered with the CCETC Nutrition Department once again with the supportive advantages of extra funding and a Volunteer Nutritionist. With strong emphasis on healthy‐living techniques, and along with their Friday, YOURS Mentors, 10 and 11‐year‐aged OURS youth connected new ideas about healthy foods to their taste buds. Each lesson brought knowledge and experience to the table with an innovative meal and weekly challenges to take home to their families. Pairs planned the menu for the OURS and YOURS End‐of‐the‐Semester Celebration on the Final Friday Program. Life Skills/Outcomes: Mentors and Mentees reported the confidence they gained to prepare healthy meals in highly creative ways. Everyone has gained knowledge through games, interactive discussions, and age‐appropriate, engaging activities that that really work in teaching the often challenging topic of Nutrition (that can otherwise be misconceived as unexciting compared to snazzy candy wrappers and cereal box characters). Special thanks is given to the Friendship Donations Network for weekly contributions of fresh, organic, and locally grown food that we turn from scratch into gourmet! We discussed each amazing dish that we prepared together, and pairs were honored to include their favorites in the menu for our End‐of‐the Semester Celebration at Stewart Park! 2015‐Summer‐4H is Sew 5 Fun 11 ‐ 15 1 6 7 5 Activities: Seasoned 4H is Sew‐Fun Participants brought their skills to new levels in this advanced sewing program. Youth successfully completed the evaluation processes for the Tompkins County 4H Youth, and New York State Fairs, receiving awards for their efforts and long‐term commitment to this traditional program. Life Skills/Outcomes: Reuniting with their favorite 4H Volunteers to transform the fabric of their choice into wearable garments, participants focused patiently, 1:1 with instructors, to persevere and greatly expand their sewing skills during this program that culminated with two big events: The Tompkins County Youth Fair & the New York State Fair. The highest levels of Positive Youth Development are exemplified within the context of celebrating effort and sharing critical feedback with Fair‐ Evaluators. Youth were encouraged to reflect upon the journey of learning/skill‐building with new people, and their success was publicly acknowledged with show‐cased awards and community‐connections.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Summer‐How Does 5 Your Garden Grow? 8 ‐ 12 4 6 10 8 Activities: Participants practiced Geo‐spatial thinking via planning/mapping/creating the garden space, engaged in the Engineering Process by planning/building tomato trellises and the garden gate, learned about soil and other fun facts from the plant and insect world from our AmeriCorps intern of the CCETC's Ag Department, developed new search‐images to identify plants, experienced Community‐Service‐Learning as youth shared skills with their neighbors during a container‐gardening workshop within their Mobile‐Home‐Park, shared a small garden with careful awareness of immediate surroundings, nurtured new‐life, practiced safety with gardening‐tools, and they tried new, home‐grown foods such as Okra, Musk‐melons, and Tomatillos. As a culminating event, this group explored Ithaca Children's Garden. The teen, summer‐crew at ICG treated us with guided tours and fresh food from their gardens, and OURS was excited to learn that our AmeriCorps volunteer was spending time gardening there, as well! Life Skills/Outcomes: OURS delighted in dirt, sprouting thier home‐base at 4H Acres. They shared skills and plants with friends, family, and neighbors in the Mobile Home Parks; Played games and got to know each other while growing edible and ornamental plants, and building relationships with new, vivacious adults who spread their contagious love for gardening. 2015‐Summer‐iGEM + 7 OURS 10 ‐ 12 4 3 7 6 Activities: Each week, we reviewed skills from the previous session, and proceeded to conduct experiments that would elucidate a specific Synthetic Biology concept, while imparting the training and confidence to use real, scientific instruments. iGEM shared their summer project focused on a cold‐water bacterial disease that impacts fishing‐communities globally and OURS had the opportunity to visit the Fish‐hatchery in Cortland that supports their research. Our final session celebrated our accomplishments and individualized, certificates of completion were awarded to each youth. We also appreciated the open‐ ended invitation to join the iGEM team for future, Summer Programming! Life Skills/Outcomes: This was a 1:1 Mentoring Program with a team of Synthetic Biologists titled iGEM (International, Genetically‐Engineered Machines). An initial survey informed iGEM of our participants' existing knowledge‐base, from which OURS participants built new skills through hands‐on experiments, trusted to respectfully practice safety and follow instructions in a state‐of‐the‐art Biology Lab in Weil Hall at Cornell.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Summer‐Cornell 3 Career Explorations 15 ‐ 17 0 2 2 2 Activities: Two, long‐term, OURS Participants were awarded scholarships via our 4H Tech‐Wizards grant, to experience a snapshot of the College Experience. Participants practice team‐building with hundreds of other youth from New York State to gain knowledge with College professors, graduate students, and guest speakers who are actively working in related career paths. The OURS scholars experienced a wonderful boost of confidence around the attainability of higher education, plus a wealth of memorable, summer fun to journal about, with the opportunity to advance into a leadership role next Summer! Life Skills/Outcomes: Cornell Career Explorations is an annual event that offers a sneak‐peak of College life. This 3‐day event (staying over 2 nights in dorms) offered the opportunity for teens to discuss their views, questions, and excitement about continuing their education after high‐school, within the context of a safe, mentored, and constructive environment that is jam‐packed with events and activities to provide the privilege of hands‐on learning in state‐of‐the‐art facilities. This program encouraged self‐ reflection, a strong consideration of future goals, and insight into the College‐application process. 2015‐Summer‐PiNY 5 10 ‐ 17 2 3 5 4 Activities: Produced in New York is a 4H Food Presentation, for which youth work with 4H Mentors to understand local food‐ production and incorporate their knowledge into healthy, creative recipes that they perfect through several practice sessions to prepare them to present the entire cooking‐process to the public, during two events. Youth reflect upon their first presentation at the 4H Youth Fair with evaluators and mentors, and they graduate to the New York State Fair PiNY Presentation with the privilege to stay over‐night in Syracuse and enjoy all that the NY State offers! Life Skills/Outcomes: 4H KICKs Volunteers identified learners from our Winter Program with excellent attendance who exemplified a deeper interest in culinary arts. These participants were specially invited to work closely with volunteers to develop a recipe and work through the emotional and physical steps to present their skills publically at the 4H Youth, and New York State Fairs.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Summer‐Luncheon‐ 5 Learn‐In 8 ‐ 17 2 5 7 4 Activities: Each week, the Luncheon‐Learn‐In Team prepared fresh produce donated from the Friendship Donation Network. Along with all the resources that we prepared together in order to see through the program plans of our Teen‐Summer‐Assistant, we brought a picnic lunch, several hands‐on activities, and some healthy competition to the fields of the OURS Mobile Home Parks. From home‐made ice‐cream in a bag, trivia, nature‐identification using field guides, and Paper‐making; to variations on Capture‐the‐flag, rocket launching, and tie‐dye; we spread awareness about OURS amongst several new families who visited the Luncheon‐Learn‐In Program this Summer! Life Skills/Outcomes: A mix of ages fostered leadership opportunities for eldest participants to guide their younger peers during this Community‐ Service‐Learning Program. Youth in this program worked as a team to prepare food and experiential‐learning activities for their neighbors within each OURS Mobile Home Park. Participants were proud to deliver two hours of delicious, and action‐ packed adventure to their neighborhoods, and we anticipate a group of new‐comers this Fall that we met during this program! 2015‐Summer‐Plant 3 Medicine 11 ‐ 14 5 2 7 6 Activities: Two sessions of skill building around plant‐identification, nature exploration with "Leave No Trace" methods, and conscientious wild‐crafting led to an all‐day workshop at the professional CCETC Kitchen on our final day when we processed all that we gathered; enjoying home‐made, medicinal, Marshmallow treats, Birch and other Herbal teas, Plantain healing salve and St. John's Wort lip‐balm, Mugwort Dream‐Pillows, Root Creatures, and Pollinator‐Loving "Seed‐Bombs". Life Skills/Outcomes: Participants explored beautiful environments and bonded with their community as we joined forces with another RYS group. We were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones with new people, and contemplate traditional skills, native culture, and ancient knowledge that becomes imparted through the generations. Youth were experientially introduced to the world of "People's Medicine", and we created useful plant‐medicines to share with families and neighbors.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Summer‐Mystery 3 Events 8 ‐ 17 11 11 22 19 Activities: 7‐9 Year Aged OURS board the Floating Classroom for a guided tour replete with interactive, STEM, and artistic ways of delving into the lake, exploring our watersheds, contemplating environments and micro‐climates, and working together with new community members from the 4H Urban Program and Teen Assistants aboard the Floating Classroom. 10 and 11 year‐aged OURS used symbols to express their relationships with nature; creating artistic tiles after a guided tour of the Rockwell Museum of American Art. We conscientiously made our way along the bridge over Chemung to the Corning Museum of Glass; The Hot Glass Show, personalized fusing projects in the museum workshop, and the race from each incredible exhibit to the next, made for an extended day of soaking in new sights and the historic stories of our culture! The OURS teens trekked to the Syracuse Museum of Science and Technology. This fieldtrip was ideal inspiration that will segue into our Fall Leadership Council's STEM exploration this coming semester! Life Skills/Outcomes: Invitations to the Mystery Events served as awards for excellent OURS Summer attendance and commitment this season. Many programs this summer brought together mixed aged groups, and the Mystery Events were an opportunity to bring specific age‐groups back together for finale, bonding experiences to reacquaint with the peers whom they will be spending more time with during the up and coming Fall, OURS Programs. 2015‐Winter‐Calling All 1 MITs! 12 ‐ 17 1 5 6 6 Activities: Dryden O.U.R.S. Mentors‐In‐Training got together to discuss their Fall Semester experiences, to organize 4H Acres cabinets to better suit their needs for their upcoming leadership roles during Spring Semester, and enjoy a celebratory meal at Loaves & Fishes. Life Skills/Outcomes: Participants shared their high‐lights and low‐points of the preceding semester as Mentors‐In‐Training. We discussed goals for the future and shared the responsibility of rearranging our main program‐site to make resources more accessible during programs in which they plan to help lead activities for their younger peers. We enjoyed a meal together, toasting over our favorite times together, and as chance would have it, a volunteer‐chef of Loaves & Fishes asked us who we were (since it isn't everyday that a group of youth attend their community dinners). This served as a lovely opportunity for MIT's to proudly describe O.U.R.S. in eloquent detail.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Fall‐Monday 6 Mentoring 7 ‐ 12 9 13 22 19 Activities: Pairs engage in individualized projects such as 4H Junk Drawer Robotics Kits, nutrition/cooking, experimenting with basic building/construction/engineering techniques, art projects, short‐story writing, etc. We formulated a plan to invite Dryden School Staff and family to effectively share program successes and challenges with OURS & YOURS next semester. Engineering Fraternity, Theta Tau, led interactive STEM Presentations weekly and will continue to next Semester. Life Skills/Outcomes: The quintessential OURS & YOURS Program: OURS youth, aged 7‐11, were paired 1:1 with Cornell YOURS Mentors. Pairs bonded every Monday of the semester. Consistent board meetings and Mentor evaluations and trainings (outside of regular program sessions), fostered meaningful relationships. Progressive, positive experiences and life‐skills were practiced through experiential learning activities designed to meet the needs of each pair. Some Mentor‐Mentee pairs reunited from last year, while others were paired with new Mentors. Pairs are well‐established for the year (set to continue together for the coming Spring Semester). 2015‐Fall‐Tuesday 8 Leadership Council 12 ‐ 17 6 5 11 10 Activities: As per the Grant Project outlined in our Robinson Appel Humanitarian Award; weekly, interactive STEM Presentations have included: A Local Mechanic with hand‐made Apple Cider Press, we pressed apples donated by Littletree Orchards; Cornell Architecture‐student on Urban Planning w/ inclusive mapping activity; Guiding Eyes presented with the seeing eye dog she was currently training; Cornell Campus guided tour + guided tour of the Architecture School's Wood Shop; The Physics and Material's Science of FRICTION FIRE with lessons and experimentation with skills; Interactive 4H Animal Science w/ multiple presentations including live sheep, zoological pathogens, Dairy Farming and Ag. Business, and Sheep‐shearing/wool‐ dyeing /darning. Life Skills/Outcomes: OURS Participants aged 12+ were matched 1:1 with YOURS Mentors. Mentor‐Mentee pairs are well‐established for the year (set to continue building relationships together during the Spring Semester of 2016). Weekly, interactive presentations were scheduled for Mentor‐mentor Pairs to learn together by trying new activities in a variety STEM fields that will serve as inspiration for our Science Fair next Semester. Pairs conducted critiques each week using a rubric in order to evaluate the quality of presentations. They will refer back to these evaluations when they plan their own presentations next semester. Pairs created goals for their futures around investigating exciting fields of STEM and moving beyond thier previous expectations for themselves regarding the oft‐daunting Content area: SCIENCE. Presentations were designed in order to debunk the idea that science is scary and difficult, or that science is for nerds. Activities were incorporated to illuminate the everyday and extraordinary fun of scientific experimentation and learning. Teens gained knowledge about the various college and career pathways of eachpresenter.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Fall‐Thursday Word 9 Buffs 7 ‐ 10 2 9 11 10 Activities: Mentor‐Mentee Pairs spent 15 minutes reading aloud together books from the OURS Lending library which is stacking up with many new books funded by the Friends of the TCLP, Cornell's SAFC, and the Scholastic Book Club's FACE program; followed by three interactive stations built around weekly themes such as "Under the Sea", "Autumn", "Pirates", "Veteran's Day", and "Thanksgiving". Each activity necessitated reading and celebrated literacy. Life Skills/Outcomes: OURS Participants aged 7‐9 years were paired, 1:1, with Cornell YOURS Mentors. Mentor‐Mentee matches are well‐ established for the year (set to continue building relationships together during the Spring 2016 Semester). This on‐going program was created to address the obvious need for OURS Participants to build essential literacy skills. The structure of Word Buffs is rooted in the spirit of making program a successful and super fun experience for everyone. We listened to stories and read aloud in order to conduct science experiments, play games, investigate environments, create crafts and gifts, and to interact as a team to build life‐skills that are centered around reading and writing. 2015‐Fall‐Double‐Digit 8 Fridays 10 ‐ 12 7 4 11 9 Activities: OURS & YOURS explored their community through exciting weekly adventures including LittleTree Orchards, Newark Valley Corn Maze, Bike‐Riding at Stewart Park, Mask‐ Making with the Drug & Alcohol Prevention Council of Tompkins County, Scavenger Hunt of the Cornell Campus Arts Quad/Climbing the Clock Tower to view the Chimes Concert, Swimming at TC3, "The Price Is Right" & "Fatal‐Vision Goggles" with The Drug & Alcohol Prevention Council of Tompkins County, and End of the Semester Celebration at 4HAcres. Life Skills/Outcomes: OURS Participants aged 10 and 11 were paired, 1:1, with Cornell YOURS Mentors. Pairs are well‐established for the year (set to continue building relationships next Spring 2016 Semester). Youth practice team‐building and value‐adding skills together, trying new things with their Mentors while exploring their community, learning about new opportunities that they can utilize with their families above and beyond OURS programming.
Section 1: Youth Development Programs Program Title # of Sessions Age Range Male Female Total Youth Attending Average Daily Attendanc 2015‐Fall‐Mentors‐In‐ 8 Training 12 ‐ 17 5 5 10 8 Activities: Cornell's Building Communities Organization of Architecture Undergrads spent 7 weeks with the OURS MITS designing and constructing two fabulous benches made of refurbished materials from Ithaca Reuse. Benches were completed 11/19 and students reported a strong sense of empowerment with the new‐skills under their belts! Benches will live in our Garden at 4H Acres that MITs have also added perennial edibles to this season. Life Skills/Outcomes: OURS Participants, aged 12+, worked closely with YOURS MIT Program Coordinators and Cornell's Building Communities Organization to learn and practice basic carpentry skills and engineering principals. Eldest OURS participants developed team‐ building skills and experienced the success of creating and meeting goals together. During this Service‐learning Program, OURS acknowledged the college and career pathways of new volunteer‐educators, evaluated and discussed their over‐all experience, and identified aspirations for next semester. Section 3: Special Events Program Title 2015‐Spring‐Cornell # of Sessions 1 Age Range 12 ‐ 17 Male 2 Female 4 Total Youth Attending 6 Average Daily Attendance 7 Graduation Ceremony Activities: The Dryden OURS Leadership Council, which comprises the eldest participants, attended the 2015 Cornell Graduation Ceremony at Schoellkopf Stadium to celebrate the accomplishments of their long‐term Mentors. They payed respect and congratulations, and bid them good luck for their future endeavors. Life Skills/Outcomes: OURS Teens took part in this massive celebratory event to acknowledge the accomplishments of their long‐term YOURS Mentors. The air was filled with excitement and honor and youth were so proud to see their Mentors earn their degrees. After the ceremony we staged ourselves at a meeting point near Schoellkopf, and several graduates were able to introduce their families to the very people they'd been writing home about for four years; How wonderful!
2015Success Story- Dryden O.U.R.S. We can’t ultimately decide what youth need, and we shouldn’t assume what is best for any one person; but we can be excellent listeners, agents for positive-growth, and reflectors of possibility. This is the story of strong creative force, supportive town and county, and a smallprogram opening doors with a resounding welcome. During the narrow window of “face-time” with the Executive Board of Y.O.U.R.S. Mentors, who meet weekly to deliberate the management of a current Volunteer-Mentor base of 57 Cornell Undergrads, providing 1:1 Mentorship for 35 Youth over 5 weekly programs, I’m always left with the want for more time to share success stories. As the overall supervisor in a solid “weave of command”, I believe in the importance of affirmingour mentorship roles and celebrating the attainment of our goals as often as possible. But it’s the Cornell University Students of Y.O.U.R.S. who show me that, with untiring schedules, it can be most prudent to discuss challenges first and fore-most. Even though it goes against my grain to dim my optimistic lens, I have learned that getting down to the nitty-gritty is a revealing process that bares the stepping stones to more impactfulsuccesses. With a wide age-range of 7-18, it can be really challenging to provide enough age-appropriate programming for everyone. It didn’t take long in the management of the Dryden O.U.R.S. Program before a pertinent set of choices became clear: We could either accept the easy motion of our eldest “aging-out”, and the youngest moving-in from a waiting-list; or we could re-affirm that our participant-age-range reaches 18 years, and we would have to determine; “What is our greatest chance of retaining our longest-term participants?” Resisting the economical temptation to simply switch out reluctant-learners with excited, young new-comers; we opted to take advantage of the creative freedom that Rural Youth Services encourages. We rallied the forces and were granted the liberty to expand our program, and we began asking the teenagers, “What do you want?” That the O.U.R.S. teens were already expressing what they wanted, was proof of the positive rapport necessary to collaboratively reinventthe structure of our program to meet their needs. They wanted more freedom, less rote-consequences that they viewed as demeaning, more creative input around the activities offered; they wanted to feel trusted, more challenged, and they wanted more adventure! They basically told us that they were mature enough to help us design programs and to expand their perceived boundaries. In 2012, we piloted a ‘Mentor-In-Training’ Program for O.U.R.S. teens to examine the meaning of “Mentoring”, to shadow mentor-mentee pairs, and eventually design activities they would co-lead with a Y.O.U.R.S. Mentor. This provided a sense of seniority and responsibility in which teens could gain respect and apply their creative influence. Teens who were personally not ready to move into mentorship roles, were still encouraged to help reshape program by identifying and solving program challenges by presenting their ideas to the Y.O.U.R.S. Executive Board. After a deliberation, (really a momentary session for us to gloat about how well they presented!), we provided the resources and guidance for teens to enact their ideas. This wasn’t enough and it wasn’t quite fitting; the teens began to miss all the fun and freedom from before, and the 1:1 mentorship they were so used to getting became truly appreciated once it was replaced. Meanwhile, they weren’t getting any younger, and new challenges of young- adulthood were arising! We successfully reached out to other agencies: The Advocacy Center, Planned Parent-hood, and Sexual-health-awareness and Peer-mentoring groups from Cornell University. They helped us address the topics that O.U.R.S. parents also distinguished through a survey; “healthy-body”, “peer- pressure”, “relationships”, and “internet-safety”. We were opening doors to discussions that were difficult and uncomfortable at times, but increasingly critical and poignant. Professionals helped us provide structure that was both fun and meaningful, with respect for boundaries. But, still,
many teens felt compelled to rejoin their younger peers for more light-hearted amusement. Determined to seek the perfect balance, we createda Master Plan! We needed more time with the OURS Teens… We rang in the New Year of 2014 with rejoicing gratitude to the Rural Youth Services Coordinator and Dryden Youth Commission for granting us the addition of a fourth, new program day for teens! Coordinating a new program with the current Y.O.U.R.S. President meant recruiting a whole new set of volunteer mentors, planning, net-working, training, and more planning, and we did it! For eleven weeks, mentors in training actualized whole program sessions in a myriad of content areas for their youngest peers. However, as proud as we were of the projects and achievements of the OURS Mentors-In-Training that first Spring-Semester, we were still “pulling-teeth” to materialize our vision. Some Teens are ‘natural-leaders’, while some are more introverted; all teens seem to seek freedom with some sense of adventure and exposure that our current programming was only on the brink of tapping-in to. The level of confidence and willingness to lead felt too variable. A strong incentive to motivate was still missing. We had to honor their original requests “to feel trusted, more challenged, and to experience more adventure”. Compliments and certificates of achievement have practical value, but we ultimately found that bona-fide-action and more ‘experiential’ rewards are even better affirmations. We needed culminating events for them to celebrate being teen-aged together, to push their boundaries, to experience healthy risk-taking; an adventure away from the ordinary to help them realize they are extraordinary. The Cornell University Community Partnership Funding Board has been our ticket to giving credit to the O.U.R.S. teens. With support from the Cornell University Partnership Funding Board, we have brought O.U.R.S. teens to new heights in the Adirondack Mountains of Camp Oswegatchie in 2014 and to the great New York City in 2015. Through the Cornell University Partnership Funding Board supported Project Leadership and Empowerment to Address Disadvantages ( L.E.A.D.), we will provide a leadership program that will introduce and engage our teens in the U.S. political system and its history with authentic civic engagement opportunities, and we are headed for adventures this Spring 2016 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We continue to ask a lot of the O.U.R.S. teens; and they do persist with some resistance when activities involve intimidating public presentations, complex scientific explorations, assertiveness, and testing leadership abilities. But leading up to these adventures, they are committing to O.U.R.S. through excellent attendance, active participation, and creative contributions that consistently reshape the success our program. They express expectations of one another that mandate the level of respect and maturity prerequisite for our culminating adventures. They recall O.U.R.S. experiences as the most “eye-opening” and “amazing” events of their lives so far! Our Mentor in Training Program now focuses on hands-on learning to explicitly build the self-confidence necessary to really feel capable of role modeling and mentoring. We have thought outside of the box, we received more when we asked for more, and we have created new programs and new traditions that honor what our teens express to us. We still ride the wave of uncertainty in uncertain-times, as challenges and re-alignments are inevitable; but Rural Youth Services grants us the freedom to change as change is needed. It’s all ways wonderful to welcome young newcomers, but my greatest joy is perceiving the growth of our long term members who belong with the O.U.R.S. Program through years of commitment, tons of fun memories, and the excitement of enticing new adventures we can look forward to. A world of appreciation goes out to Rural Youth Services, the Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission, Tompkins County Youth Services, Cornell Y.O.U.R.S., and all of our grant funders that support the O.U.R.S. vision for Opportunity, Understanding, Respect, and Success – Thank you, with love and optimism for the years ahead!
2015 Professional Development Record – Nikki Nease Title of Training Training Sponsor Date and Time (# of hours) Boundaries in Mentoring Relationships Advocacy Center of Tompkins County: Lyn Staack, OJJDP/4H Tech Wizards January 29th, 2015 6:30PM– 8:30PM ( 2 hours) Mentoring Symposium TCYS; Jean Lahage Cohen from MENTOR the National Mentoring Partnership February 26 8:30AM-2:30PM (5.5 hours) Positive Youth Development RYS September 8, 2015 8:30AM-4PM (6 hours) Sexual Harassment in the Workplace CCETC December 10 10:30AM-12PM (1.5 hours)
Title of Training Training Sponsor Date and Time (# of hours) Computer Coding Program (DH, PB, KB, NN, AC, MP, BB, LS, AO) Katie Turner January 14, 10:00-10:30 AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Annual Report (DH, PB, KB, NN, AC, MP, BB, LS, AO) Shelley Lester January 14, 10:30-11:15AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Lunch Program Recruitment and Enrollment Dave Hall February 11, 9:15-9:45 AM ( Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Monthly Reporting Monthly Budgeting Average Daily Attendance Shelley Lester February 11, 9:15-9:45 AM ( Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Expense Sheet Training ( KB, DH, PB, NN, AC, MP, KT ) Shelley Lester March 11, 2015 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM (Part of the RYS Staff Meeting) Ithaca Youth Bureau Programs (DH, NN, KT, PB, MP, AO, KB, BB, LS, MD) IYB and TCYS April 6, 9:30-11:30 AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Open Doors Program (KB, KT, AO, MP, DH, BB, NN, LS, AC,) Jessica Brown & Danielle Keenan May 13, 9:30- 10:30AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting ) Alcohol and Drug Council (AO, AC, KT, DH, BB, PB, MD, NN, LS) Jeff Dunlap June 10, 9:30-10:00 AM ( Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Summer Risk Management (AO, AC, KT, DH, BB, PB, MD, NN, LS) Summer Risk Management June 10, 10:00- 10:45 AM ( Part of RYS Staff Meeting) PQA Results (DH, JB, TJ, NN, KT, AC, BB) Shelley Lester August 5, 2015 ( 4:30 -5:00 PM) ( Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Positive Youth Development (EC, TJ, DH, NN, BB, KT, DH, JB MD) Jutta Dotterweich September 8, 9:00AM -4:00 PM PQA Results (EC, TJ, DH, NN, BB, KT, DH, JB MD) Shelley Lester September 9, 2015 10:15- 11:45 AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Data Base Orientation (DH, EC, JB, KT, BB, TJ, NN) Linda Schoffel September 9, 2015 10:45- 11:30 AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) 2015 Professional Development Record
Circle of Courage (NN, BB, JB, KT, EC, TJ, DH) Dave Hall October 7, 10:00 - 10:20 (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Tompkins Learning Partners (NN, BB, JB, KT, EC, TJ, DH) Shannon Alvord October 7, 10:00 - 10:20 (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Youth Employees in Your Program (NN, BB, JB, KT, EC, TJ, DH) Beth Bannister October 7, 10:20 – 10:45 (Part of RYS Staff Meetings) Annual Report Preparation Reminders ( EC, JB , KT, DH, BB, TJ, NN, MD) Shelley Lester November 18, 9:00 – 9:30 AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting) Achieving Youth Results ( EC, JB , KT, DH, BB, TJ, NN, MD) Janice Johnson November 18, 9:00 – 9:30 AM (Part of RYS Staff Meeting)
Spring 2016
Training
Welcome Back!
•Programs will start after February Break
•First Program Days:
–Thursday, February 18th
–Friday, February 19th
–Monday, February 22nd
–Tuesday, February 23rd
•This semester you will be…
Mondays
Volunteers work one-on-one with 7-11 year-old students to develop social skills, academic success, and life goals. Each week, volunteer-student pairs choose and complete both an academic and a “fun” activity. Activities include science experiments, crafts, cooking/baking, writing, games, and more!
Tuesdays
This semester the kids will be applying what they learned last
semester from the presentations about different STEM fields. Each
mentee with their mentor will take on a scientific project and work
on it for the whole semester. Ultimately, we hope to hold a science
fair where the kids can showcase their project to their teachers,
parents and friends.
Thursdays
Thursday Program is a literacy program for the youngest age group (ages 7-9). Through various fun stations that are planned by the Coordinators each week, mentees are able to work on their reading skills with their mentor, while still having fun and maintaining their confidence in their abilities.
Mentors In Training
The MIT program was developed with the goal of making some of the older youth leaders and mentors themselves! This semester the MITs will form an authentic Teen Leadership Council that performs distinct, service-oriented functions and serves as a liaison between the OURS youth and the YOURS volunteers. They will also learn about U.S. and global politics that will help them investigate and articulate their own educated opinions and identities regarding
society. This program will end with a trip to Philly in May
Fridays
There is no need to eat dinner on Fridays… because that is what you and and your mentee will be doing at program each week! With the help of a nutritionist, we will be creating healthy alternative meals and going over some fundamental food groups. By participating in activities each week detailing the contents of what we’re eating, kids will begin to understand that what goes into our bodies is important, and that we have the power to make it both healthy and yummy!
YOURS Annual Benefit Concert
Near the end of March, YOURS will be hosting its Annual Benefit Concert to showcase some of the best student bands and performers on campus and to raise awareness and support for YOURS program days. Taking place at the Nines in Collegetown, the Benefit Concert relies on YOURS volunteers to spread the word of the event. The concert date is TBA. This year, each volunteer will be responsible for selling two wristbands for the event. Each wristband will be $5 and will be distributed during program days two weeks before the concert.
Duck Race
YOURS’ largest fundraiser, will take place April 11th – 15th, with the week before as a marketing week.
After last year’s tremendous success, we are really planning on ramping up efforts with marketing and outreach for the Duck Race. Each volunteer will be responsible for selling 5 duck-tickets, or table for two hours during the week of selling.
Each ticket is a rubber duck that goes into the race. The first 50 ducks that cross the finish line win prizes!
The actual community event is on Sunday, April 24th at the CCETC.
*MONEY EARNED FROM
THIS EVENT SECURES THE
FREE USAGE OF
OUR MAIN PROGRAM SITE: 4H ACRES!
Run for an Eboard Position!
•President: Leslie Yuen
•Vice President: Leopoldo Pena
•Treasurer/Fundraising Chair: Megan Sutton
•Publicity Chair: Evan Zhang
•Monday Coordinators: Forrest Cox, Rachel Wolitzer
•Tuesday Coordinators: Austin Wong, Camilla Wang
•Thursday Coordinators: Marissa Contento, Madeline Ling
•Friday Coordinators: Matt Fleischauer, Sofia Ribolla
•MIT Coordinators: Melis Schildkraut & Sierra Murray
Last semester we…
•Volunteered 2,310 hours towards YOURS
–Which is the equivalent of $53,291.70 (based on NY
State’s Value of a volunteer hour: $23.07/hour)
•Raised $3,375.20
–Mann Bake Sale: $165
–YouCaring: $2,495
–Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair: $715.20
•Added ~250 books to our library at 4H-acres
•Built 55 positive and valuable relationships
with the youth!
WHAT WILL YOU WALK AWAY WITH TONIGHT?
ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS:
If someone asks me
about YOURS, can I
provide an overview of
the “big-picture?”
What do YOURS
Coordinators value about
our program?
What if I want more
responsibility as a
member of YOURS?
How do I find out more
about Leadership
Positions within YOURS?
Other than my consistent
presence and undivided
attention during program
sessions, what does
YOURS expect of me?
What things are always
expected of me during
YOURS Programs?
What do I do when I
have questions?
What’s the YOURS
Protocol & philosophy
for
“behavior-management”?
As Mentors, what
qualities do we value the
most?
Do I have specific goals
for being a Mentor?
Why Mentoring?
Revisit my motivations…
The
BROWN
AREA
a.k.a. the gray
area
Stop! Is
this
okay?!
Go! This
is Super!
*Strive for %100 Attendance
*Ask questions whenever I have them
*Learn my Mentee’s Strengths
*Give consistent “I messages”
around behavior challenges.
*Always be in the
presence of three.
(I am never alone.)
*Is someone in
physical danger?
~FIND NIKKI!~
*Does this
feel okay?
STOP!
Trust your instincts.
EVERYTHING ELSE
You define your experience.
YOURS is a unique program with
individualized experiences.
Mentor-mentee relationships are
fostered.
Activities (especially in groups)
should include guidelines/rules.
The YOURS Behavior
Management policy is…
The YOURS Behavior Management Policy is…
Individualized: This chart may help us conclude that we need a plan of action.
We may choose to create a Behavior-Contract together. It will be enlightening!
REMEMBER: You Are a trusted guide and friend – It is not your job to “make sure they behave”!
*Give consistent “I messages” around behavior challenges.
Constant
presence,
assessment,
& intention:
“How are we
doing right
now?”
We are joyful >
(“What is our baseline?”)
I am beside myself with
gratitude AND I express
it outrageously all the
time I am with my
Mentee!
Not great >
We could be better >
Why?
Does this feel persistent?
Is there a repeated incidence of
unwanted behavior (has a
particular thing happened more
than two times)?
I should talk in person,
email, or call my
Coordinator and/or Nikki
directly after program.
Not good, man >
Exhausting >
THIS IS UNSAFE! >
I need to tell my
Coordinator or Nikki
immediately!
Could you define your relationship yet?
What is the focus of your mentoring
relationship?
Examples:
Technical skill building
Academic success
Preventative mentoring
Societal goals/beliefs about the mentee’s needs
Intervention oriented/Remedial
Spontaneous and inquisitive/Adventurous
Relational focused w/ specific life-skills
(patience, cooperation, assertiveness, confidence, etc.)
Do you have a mentoring goal?
PLEASE CALL, TEXT, OR EMAIL ME ANY TIME!
NIKKI: 585-808-3402 njn35@cornell.edu
Iron Chef continues to be one of my most popular
programs. It combines so many of the elements that we strive
to foster in youth in a fun and exciting way. Through team-
work, creativity as well as trial and error, team s strive to cook
a tasty and well plated meal.
During our most recent round of Iron Chef students created
broccoli soup, pizzas, breakfast and an Asian themed meal .
Iron Chef - Sessions 1 & 2
Session 1—5 Female, 8 Male Average Daily Attendance 13
Winter Hiking
5 Female, 4 Male, Average Daily Attendance 7
Winter Hiking is always an adventure. It is a program that offers
many possibilities. This winter has been an interesting weather
year. The temperatures have been all over the place and some-
times being dressed properly has meant that sneakers are ok.
We have practiced lost proofing, birding, outdoor cooking and
of course hiking.
Beyond walking from school to the Shug Trail we have also
explored Hammond Hill and Lime Hollow.
David Hall, Program Manager
Dryden Youth Programs
Youth Report—February 2016
Primitive Pursuits continues to inspire and challenge youth. Through a
basic understanding of survival needs , participants are challenged to
master fire building, create shelter, construct an array of crafts and gen-
uinely learn to take care of themselves. Primitives strives to build con-
nections to the outdoors where students build relationships with their
environment.
This winter we have had two very exciting visitors to our woods. The
first was a bobcat and the second was a fisher.
I have 6 Teen Challenge groups that meet during the lunch pe-
riods. (2 groups for each lunch period) These groups are
somewhat elastic with numbers and ratios changing regularly.
Students earn the privilege to be part of my in-school programs
by being caught up with their homework and assignments as well
as not having any behavioral issues.
Primitive Pursuits
4 Female, 7 Male, 8 Average Daily
Teen Challenges
Monday Makers
1 Female, 9 Male, 8 Average Daily
Monday Makers is a new adventure each week. We cook, let-
ter box, play al kinds of active games and genuinely enjoy each
others company. One aspect that has improved significantly
over the weeks that we have been together is become civil.
Youth participants have learned to listen to each other, share
ideas and compromise in healthy ways!
Page 2
Science Explorers gets Dryden students out and into the world to
visit and interact at some of our regions premier scientific facilities.
Our first field trip took us to the Ithaca Science Center.
For our second expedition we traveled to the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology where we learned bird sounds, watched amazing videos
and tested our identification skills on the trails around the wetland.
Science Explorers
6 Female, 5 Male, 8 Average Daily Attendance
Full Days x 2
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Trip—2/12
4H Acres Day—2/16
5 Female, 3 Male, 8 Average Daily Attendance
We took advantage of the February break . On Friday the 12th we travelled to Montezuma to do
some mid winter birding. We had an excellent day of swan and eagle watching. Our 4H Acres experi-
ence was an exercise in staying dry and warm in one of the nasty weather days we have had al season.
We found cover, made a fire, cooked and worked on crafts.
Page 3
http://ccetompkins.org/4-h-youth/rural-youth
-services/rys-program-sites/dryden-freeville
February 2016
Recreation Director Report
Community Grants:
o The Town Board has approved the community grant application. I
will be publicizing the grants next week with local ads and emails
to past applicants. Application deadline is April 1st.
o The plan is to publicize the grants in Feb-March, DRYC Review &
Town Board approval in April, then send out contracts in May.
Winter Programs:
o Winter programs are coming to a close within the next few weeks.
Youth basketball and Wrestling will be done at the end of Feb and
there will be one more winter field trip in March.
o The 7th Annual Father Daughter Dance was held last week with
about 120 participants which was a bit higher than last year.
New this year, we had Darl Zehr taking professional photos. This
event is held at the Varna Community Center free of charge for
the facility.
o The new Adult Fitness Class has been a success with 12
participants and additional revenue.
o Recreation Coordinator Andrew Pierce also has been working on a
new website for Dryden Youth sports which will be host to forms,
schedules, contact info, and news for families to reference. This
site will also be a year round apparel store.
Spring Programming:
o The Dryden Recreation Spring 2016 Community Program Guide
is currently being created. This guide promotes programs from
March through June including youth programs, adult programs,
community events, and even more from local organizations. See
sample at meeting!
o This year’s Egg Hunt will have a “rain/snow” location inside because of the issues
with snow last year.
o We also have two new field trips planned to the Corning Museum of Art and Sky
Zone in Syracuse.
Grant Opportunities:
o The department has been awarded a small grant from Dick Sporting Goods towards
youth Lacrosse this year.
o The department was also awarded $1,000.00 towards the summer concerts.
o We have also submitted grant applications for youth football from Good Sports and a
Finish Line youth sports grant for up to $5,000.
New York State Conservationist, December 2015
WINTER SURVIVAL SHELTERS
By Dave Hall with Jon Ulrich
Photos provided by author
6
New York State Conservationist, December 2015
Born out of my desire to build expertise in the pursuit of
winter preparedness, years ago my friends, colleagues and I
began putting our skills to the test. In doing so, it became clear
that there was a dearth of reliable knowledge on cold-weather
camping.
Most of the information I found in print was either lacking in
depth or was a rehashing of untested lore. Soon, a passion was
brought to bear: the yearning to discover and master the tenets of
winter survival. And because the nature of my studies was expe-
riential, there was only one way to learn—by doing.
My journey began in the mid-’90s with the simple act of
building a snow shelter. This prototype, it turns out, was too
small—it dripped, was structurally inadequate, and otherwise
begged for all manner of improvements—but the experience
served to fuel my ambitions. I wanted to improve my skills to
the point that someday, with aplomb, I would be able to spend a
night outdoors with minimal gear in any cold-weather situation.
I continued to assess the information available and improve
on my areas of weakness, in turn creating new solutions when
I wasn’t satisfied with the results. Snow shelters are an iconic
symbol of winter survival, and for good reason—anyone who is
ill-prepared for an unexpected winter’s night out is setting the
stage for a dangerous and potentially disastrous outcome.
Hypothermia is a real danger for people enjoying outdoor
adventures in winter, and because of its insidious nature, shelter
is of paramount importance. Mother Nature is an indifferent
force; she doesn’t care that you’ve forgotten to bring along
proper attire or matches to ensure warmth. But she is noble in her
generosity, providing the patient and learned outdoorsman all the
resources necessary to ensure survival.
A properly built snow shelter is an excellent investment of
time and energy; it offers the itinerant survivalist an option for
which there is no substitute. A shelter of sound design will not
only insulate, but offer accommodations superior to the finest
winter tent. With outdoor temperatures well below the freezing
mark, a well-constructed shelter will maintain a comfortable
interior climate that can reach as high as forty degrees Fahr-
enheit. This, coupled with a quiet, windless space, makes for the
most agreeable of lodgings.
My shelter of choice when working with powdery snow is what
I call the snow tepee. This is an improvement on the traditional
quinzee (a classic North Country shelter) in that it utilizes downed
beams to provide a strong, internal framework. (The quinzee, by
contrast, comprises nothing more than an excavated pile of snow.)
Begin by erecting a tripod of poles, roughly three to four
inches in diameter. These will serve as the groundwork against
which you will buttress more poles to create a tepee-style
frame. Keep in mind that the interior of your shelter will ulti-
mately be smaller than the frame. Size your shelter so that
it is large enough to provide for your needs, but no bigger.
Remember, small is beautiful.
Winter is my favorite time of the year. As an outdoorsman, I find that the quiet of the woods, the absence of
insects, and the challenge that colder temperatures bring make this my season of choice. I’ve been practicing primitive
survival skills for the last quarter century, and much of that time has been spent in the Northeastern United States during
the most unforgiving months of the year.
7
Next, shovel snow into the interior of this space, filling it
to capacity and covering the beams to a depth of one foot. As
you do so, be sure to coat the apex of the beams (where they
interlock) with snow as well.
Once this is complete, the snow tepee needs to sit for a period
of one hour. This will enable the once-powdery snow to sinter
into a solid mass which can then be excavated. In the interim,
take the time to collect materials—downed beams, leaf litter,
grasses, and branches—that can be used for bedding. If time
is limited, simply keeping yourself off of the shelter’s snow
covered-floor will be enough to meet your immediate needs.
Time and resources will dictate your course of action. For
example, fields with available grasses offer excellent bedding,
while hardwood forests offer beams and branches but have com-
paratively little when it comes to insulating vegetation.
Once you deem your shelter suitable for excavation, begin by
choosing a wide space between two beams for your entrance.
(I do this ahead of time by marking my desired location with a
stick.) Remember that your excavation spot will need to be large
enough to accommodate shoveling. Once the interior is complete,
this entryway can be made smaller if necessary.
While excavating, aim for a dome-shaped interior. This smooth,
rounded nucleus offers a multitude of benefits—in addition to min-
imizing environmental impact by using only snow and downed
beams, it will ensure that any melting that occurs will run down the
walls and onto the floor (as opposed to dripping on your person).
As you hollow out the core of your shelter, you’ll run into the
edges of your structural beams. You needn’t worry—this won’t
impact the shelter’s structural integrity.
To close your door, simply use blocks of snow cut during the
excavation process. When it’s time to turn in, place these inside
the mouth of your entrance and wall off your opening, remem-
bering to leave a small space for ventilation.
Grasses make excellent bedding material in a pinch.
Excavating the inside of a winter shelter.
8
New York State Conservationist, December 2015
Winter Wilderness
Safety Tips
If you are thinking of trying something new this
winter, I suggest following these guidelines to make
sure your adventure is fun and safe:
Get to know an accomplished winter outdoor
enthusiast. Learning first-hand from a seasoned profes-
sional is an invaluable experience.
Dress in wool and synthetic layers. Doing so enables
you to avoid sweating by shedding these layers when
necessary. The last thing you want to be in a cold-
weather situation is wet. Breathable and waterproof
outer layers will help shed snow, wick moisture, and
otherwise ensure protection from the elements. Be
sure to have a warm hat and a means of protecting
your face (balaclava or neck warmer) as well.
Wear boots that are designed to perform well for the
chosen activity. These boots should have removable
liners which can be dried and warmed by a fire if
necessary.
Choose mittens that will withstand the task of branch
collecting. I prefer a glove sheathed by a waxed,
insulated leather mitten.
Carry at least three manmade methods of making fire
and become proficient in their use. Under certain con-
ditions, fire may be your only refuge from the threats of
hypothermia or frostbite.
Stay close to home at first, gradually distancing
yourself from civilization once your confidence and
skills improve. I recommend building a snow tepee in
your backyard so that in the event things don’t go as
planned, you can retreat to the comfort and safety of
your home and try again another day.
Keep an eye on the weather and bring along gear
that will complement your needs. For example, when
I’m in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks during the
winter season, I often pack a sleeping bag, sleeping
pad, and bivy sack to provide warmth for other hikers.
I also bring a small stove and extra food. This may
seem excessive, but it can make all the difference in
the world if a person in my party needs help or we
come across someone in need.
I also recommend carrying a “heat sheet” (survival
blanket).
The snow tepee is but one of many attractive shelter options.
Because weather conditions, precipitation, time, and resources
will determine what you do, flexibility and creativity are indis-
pensable qualities when working with snow. One vital question to
ask when thinking about winter survival is, “What kind of shelter
can I make given the type of snow and available resources?”
Keeping this in mind will help ensure the most desirable outcome.
While learning primitive survival skills for winter can enhance
your self-confidence and foster a more meaningful connection
with your environment, it can also be a life saver when things
don’t go as planned. Knowing how to build a snow shelter is
just one key skill. Outdoor adventurers would also benefit from
learning other skills, including fire making, water purification,
wild crafting, and edible botany.
In the end, the greater your depth of knowledge and experience,
the better prepared you’ll be for safely enjoying New York’s wil-
derness during winter.
Dave Hall and Jon Ulrich are the authors of Winter in the Wilderness: A
Field Guide to Primitive Survival Skills, available from Comstock Publishing
Associates, an imprint of Cornell University Press. To obtain the book, visit
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu. To learn more about the authors, check
out their websites davehallprimitive.com and fingerlakesnaturalist.
wordpress.com.
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