HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-18Dryden Youth Commission
March 18, 2003
Minutes
Present: Jean Simmons, Karl Heck, Eric McConnell, Walt Matyjas, Nita Baldwin, Kris Bennett
Guest: Edie Spaulding, Brooktondale Summer Camp
Excused: Kristen Blackman, Penny Green -Brown Absent: Russ Kowalski
Jean called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm; introductions were made. Eric has been appointed by T. Dryden
and was welcomed.
Brooktondale Camp: Edie Spaulding gave an overview of last summer's program, held at the Brooktondale
Community Center. The camp has been in existence for many years and she has been coordinating it for
approx. 8 -10 years. Deb Peterson -Moore returned as camp director and Brian Rinchack as asst. director. Her
annual report has been turned in to the County Youth Bureau but because of a snafu on the YB end, she didn't
break out the participation numbers for Dryden youth. She will do this and send it to Kris who will then include
it in the DYC annual report. (Edie said it would be easier to do these reports when camp ends rather than
months later. Kris will send her reporting forms in August.) She believes 2 Dryden youth were hired to work at
the camp. They try to hire the best counselors, no matter where they're from. Some of their counselors
started out as campers. Overall there were 10 staff and 75 campers (though not all campers were there at the
same time). Enrollment has declined over the years from a high of 113. (Kris reminded DYC of the decline in
the youth population; Edie spoke also about another program which meant competition for participants.) Last
year's program was 6 weeks, full day; this summer they will return to a 5 week program and only in the
®morning (8:30 — 12:30). Prices will rise to $20lweek (from $15) though scholarships are readily available for
any youth who need them. Their rent has not increased ($800). Activitiestevents included arts and crafts,
singing, outdoor games and sports, Tin Can Fantasy Factory, movie days. Snacks are provided by parents.
Kris reported on her visit to the camp last summer; she saw good interactions between counselors and
campers, especially one young boy who didn't join in right away but who was welcomed and invited to join in
activities by several different counselors. The DYC members thanked Edie for coming and for providing the
overview to the camp,
Freeville Camp: Kris reported that Kristen had tried to line up someone from this program to attend the
meeting but was unable to do so. In addition, the camp is facing some uncertainties: last year's director is not
returning and they have been unable to find a replacement. If they can't find a replacement they may not
have a program, Kris will talk with Freeville to offer what help she can.
Police and Community: Kris reported that Russ was unable to line up Margaret Ryan to attend this meeting.
He will try to arrange for her to come in April.
Officers: Karl moved Jean to be elected as chair, Eric seconded. Jean was elected unanimously. Eric
moved Walt as vice - chair; Karl seconded. Elected unanimously.
Minutes: Minutes from Dec., Jan. and Feb. were approved unanimously.
Youth Conservation Corps: Kris passed out Allen Green's email showing how they would reduce YCC by
is $1200. Since Carissa will again be coordinating with IYB on this, (she needs to start advertising the program
and recruiting kids) the DYC needs to make a decision tonight. Allen shows a reduction of 15.3 hours for both
youth employees and IYB staff. Walt asked for clarification on YCC's proposal; Kris said it showed a 5 hour
workday for 5 days /week for 5 weeks, July 7 — Aug. 8. Walt noted that the reduction is just over 3 workdays.
® After discussing the best way to handle the reduced hours, the DYC stated that it prefers the reduction to
happen at the end of the summer, rather than reduce the hours per day, so that if additional funding is secured
that the program could be extended to the full 5 weeks. Kris reported that she had told Allen about a grant
possibility, Captain Planet; Karl offered to work with IYB on this. Kris will let Allen know and give the
necessary info. to Kart. Karl contacted Dwight Mengele at TCAT; they have potential projects (bus shelter
maintenance) but he didn't reply to the question concerning funding for the work. Additional projects Kris has
passed on to IYB are work at the cemetery and the Malloryville bog, Walt will contact Allen Green to ask himto
come to next month's meeting to present about last year's YCC, The DYC would like to look carefully at this
program for next year. It is very expensive for only 8 summer youth jobs. Are there other options that would
provide the jobs, the transportation and the necessary supervision /job skills training for the youth that would be
less expensive? Would Dave Hall, whose salary is already paid, be able to do something like this (though of
course all realize that some of his summer programming would not occur)? The DYC would like to explore this
further and will ask Dave Hall about it at next month's meeting. Kris will talk with him about it first.
Annual Report: Kris circulated a folder with 2002 annual reports that have come in from funded programs.
Once she has the information from Brooktondale she will put a draft report together and bring it to the next
meeting for the DYC to review.
Other: Kris reported that Linda Schoffel has started as Youth Services Coordinator at Cooperative Extension.
She'll be supervising Dave and Carissa. Hopefully she'll come to our April meeting. Sloan Sheridan - Thomas
has resigned from the County Youth Board, leaving an opening from the V. Freeville. Kris passed out an
updated roster and Dave's program report which hadn't arrived in time to mail. Carissa has a logo contest
40 going, deadline just passed. Perhaps she'll have some things for the DYC to see next month.
Planning for next meeting: Because next month's scheduled meeting falls during school vacation week, Jean
proposed moving it to April 8. This date is ok for those who were present; since Town Hall is not available
Jean will see if V. Freeville hall is open. She will let Kris know and then Kris will let all members know about
the date change. Since we are inviting YCC, Police & Community and CCE to the next meeting we need to try
to firm this up and communicate the change asap. Next month we will also review goals and discuss whether
a mission statement would help in our work.
DYC Minutes Page Two March 18, 2003