HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-20Dryden Youth Commission
July 20, 2004
® Minutes
Present: Alan Macomber, Kristen Blackman, Tracy Kurtz, Eric McConnell, InShik Lee, Nita Baldwin, Kris Bennett
Guests: Katherine Cemera & Lindsay Weiland (Freeville Summer Rec, /Freeville Youth Jobs); Deb Peterson -Moore
(Brooktondale Summer Camp); Emily Cramer (Coddington Road Community Center - CIT Youth Employment
Training); Monika Roth (CCE Landscape Training for Youth)
Tracy called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Introductions were made.
Program Presentations
Freeville Youth Jobs - Katherine and Lindsay first gave an overview of the summer rec. program; they passed around
a photo album. Camp's 4 principles are camp should be fun, safe, educational, and cooperative. They have an
adult/youth ration of 1:6. Programming includes cooperative games, daily book club. Camp costs $301wk, including
field trips; scholarships available. Wed. is theme day (examples: science, multicultural), Fri, is field trip day. Field
trips have included the Sciencenter, Cayuga Nature Center. They also bring in visitors such as Tin Can Fantasy
Factory. They have many young campers this year, they strive for age appropriate activities for all campers,
especially those aged 10+ years. They are developing a CIT program. Staff training - all counselors participate in 1
'/2 days of training before camp begins; topics include child abuse recognition, conflict resolution, planning activities.
Would like to include Red Cross training in the future. Re. the youth jobs component - all jr, and sr. counselors are
15 -19 year old Dryden residents. They also have one paid CIT and several volunteer CIT's.
Brooktondale Summer Camp - Deb Peterson -Moore reported that approximately 60 youth participate, in any week
about 40 attend, This year, they have a lot of older kids and 2/3 are boys. Camp runs for five weeks from 8:30 -
noon and costs $22,50 /week including snack; scholarships are available. They offer a lot of arts and crafts, games,
sports. Campers choose their own activities. They also do a weekly bake -sale fundraiser. Deb brought sample craft
® projects for DYC to see. Staff include Deb as director, an asst. director, 3 sr. counselors, 2 jr. counselors, 5 CIT's
(who receive a stipend). Many staff have returned to work again this year. Staff training is 9 hours over 2 days and
included conflict resolution, project planning; in addition FLIC did a presentation on special needs.
Coddington CIT Youth Employment Training - Emily told us that Coddington is an all- outdoor camp using the nearby
grounds and trails; they have a pavilion and covered camp -sites but frequent rain is a challenge. Camp runs from
7:30 - 5:30. Emily runs the CIT program which serves 16 youth, ages 13 -15, in 2 4 -week sessions. Cost for the CIT
program is $351week and youth who successfully complete the 4 weeks earn a $200 stipend. CIT's have
responsibilities but fun, too. Emily passed out copies of the CIT's responsibilities and program overview. Training is
built into the program; she is the primary trainer for the CIT's. She shared a book she uses as a resource, "Activities
that Teach" by Tom Jackson, It includes many great learning activities for the CIT's. The CIT's do a self- evaluation
to reflect on what they've learned, CIT's can proceed to jr. counselor status.
Kris pointed out that though all 3 programs offer local summer recreation for youth, the DYC funds 3 different things.
In Freeville, its youth jobs; in Brooktondale, its paying for campers to participate. At Coddington, it's a CIT job
training program. All programs appreciated hearing what the other programs are doing, they all got good ideas from
one another. Kris asked whether the programs use the evaluation form the DYC developed 2 years ago. They are
not currently using it but said they will if Kris sends it. They also agreed that if the opportunity arises they will suggest
to participants and their families to let the County legislators know they appreciate this program being available for
their child. Kris will send them the names and contact info, for the Dryden legislators. DYC members thanked the
program staff for coming.
Landscape Training for Youth Update and Discussion - Monika Roth explained that the program did not kick off in the
spring as planned; the instructor she'd planned to use, Matt, became unavailable, Bart, the new instructor, was not
hired until too late in the spring to launch this program. Her revised proposal is to start in the fall with several mini -
lessons, including fall garden clean up, which will be incorporated as part of Bridget's programming. She would like
to offer the balance of the classes in the spring. Kris explained that funding is for a calendar year and must be used
during 2004. There will be the opportunity to apply for funding for calendar year 2005. With this in mind, Monika
then proposed holding 4 classes this fall. Kris asked how the budget would be reduced since the program would not
meet as often. Monika said the cost would be reduced accordingly, around $1000 instead of $1400. The DYC
members thanked Monika for the update and revised proposal. After Monika left, the DYC discussed the proposal.
Youth are not being prepped for summer jobs as originally proposed. Spring gardening is very different from fall.
They originally understood that this program would be in addition to, not a part of, Bridget and Dave's Dryden
programs. They discussed asking Bridget, who's a gardener, to offer a project like this in the spring. We could even
ask her to include in the 2005 budget enough funding to provide youth who complete the program with gardening
tools like Monika is providing. Tracy moved, Alan seconded, a reduction in funding for this program for 2004 to
$1000. All voted to approve this.
Tracy moved, Alan seconded, that the $400 savings be allocated to CCE Rural Youth Services. All voted to approve.
Minutes from June - The minutes from June were approved.
Other updates, monitoring - Tracy reported that she met with Deb Marrotte about the V. Dryden Youth Jobs program.
Deb was unable to attend tonight's meeting but will try to do so next year if she has adequate advance notice. Deb
reported that they have one youth who works part-time at the V. Dryden summer rec. program and part -time in the
village office. Deb works with heron job skills, office etiquette, etc.
Tracy's daughter and InShik's son are working for Youth Conservation Corps. They've worked on projects at Dryden
Town Park, Mill Park, Etna, Wall St, and the ballfields. The group is diverse and YCC staff are working to make it
gel.
A short discussion followed about the "Finding Our Strength, Finding Our Voices' program. Kris had sent an email
update to DYC members earlier in the month after contacting this program, They have met with the principal and
then school staff who are excited and supportive of the program. Suggested participants will be referred by school
staff who are also willing to try to help with transportation. They will be discussing a fall start date with the principal
® soon. The confidence level of the DYC has increased with these updates that this program will happen successfully
this fall.
Tracy monitored the Jr. Police Academy and has visited Dave's Games and Challenges. Kristen will monitor
Freeville Rec. next week.
2005 Budget Preview - Kris distributed a draft DYC budget for 2005, showing some anticipated reductions in both
State and County funding. Since the Town matches statelcounty dollars, the Town contribution will be reduced, too.
Anticipated reduction is $1430. The budget will not be finalized until both NYS and Tompkins County adopt a budget
for 2005. DYC should consider where they would cut $1430 for next year.
Review Request for 2005 Proposal Materials - Kristen suggested that since funding will be reduced next year,
perhaps we should not advertise widely for new proposals and just invite currently funded programs to reapply. All
agreed that this makes sense. Several minor changes were made to the draft letter and application. Kris will get
these sent out in the next few weeks.
Other - Tracy reported that Walt had contacted her recently. He is going to have to resign from the DYC because his
job is shifting to the Canandaigua area. This will create 2 openings on the DYC, one from the Town, one from the
Village of Dryden that has been vacant for a long time. Alan will mention this to the Village trustees when he goes to
their meeting on Aug. 19. All were asked to think about potential members.
There will be no August meeting. Next meeting, for purpose of reviewing proposals for 2005 funding, will be on Sept.
21, The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
DYC Minutes Page Two July 20, 2004