5.4. SR 11-18-1996.ty of
'vel'
ITEM 5.4.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Adl~.in~is/trator
DATE: November 18, 1996
SUBJECT: Community Recreation Board Update
Councilmember Roger Holmgren is the city representative on the Community
Recreation Board. The Community Recreation Board is scheduled to meet
the afternoon of November 18, 1996. At the City Council meeting on
November 18, 1996, Roger is scheduled to give an update on recent
Community Recreation Board activities. Attached for your information and
review is part of the November 18, 1996 Community Recreation Board
agenda packet.
s:Xcouncil\comrecud.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Community Recreation Board
Notice of Meeting
Monday November 18, 1996 - 11:45 am
Natures Hideaway - Rogers, Mn. Located east of highway 101 on county road 144
Your attendance is always important! If you cannot make the meeting please arrange to send an
alternate or notify me at 241-3523 that you will not be in attendance. Thank you!
AGENDA
A. Routine Matters:
1.) Approval of past minutes
2.) Changes or additions to agenda
3.) Staff reports & updates:
3.A) Review staff reports
3.B) Youth Initiatives Update
3.C) Elk River Ice Arena
B. Items of Information / Discussion:
1 .) Field Development/Regional Planning
2.) Personnel Committee Update
3.) Discuss: consideration of establishing a Program Development Commission
C. Other Business:
- Set next meeting date: Consider December 16th.
- Reminder of Thursday January 9, 1997 - 7:00 pm joint meeting with CE and ECFE Advisory
Councils.
- Other
D. Adjourn
Please see the reverse side for explanation of the Agenda items,
Aaenda Item Detail
~3.1~ Field Develooment / Reaional Planning; At our September and October meetings we began to revisit our 1995 Long
Range Planning goal that dealt with this area. At the September meeting you were presented with an inventory of
community athletic fields in the District 728 area. Some of our individual communities have had experience with planning,
developing, maintaining, etc. these facilities while other communities with respect to rapid and expected growth are just
beginning their planning and dealing with their new found responsibilities associated with these types of facilities.
At our October meeting we identified that the Community Recreation Board could and should be the vehicle in which joint
partnerships be established between any number of communities or entities to cooperatively plan, develop, and manage
these types of facilities. It was also suggested that these types of relationships with respect to developing facilities are
usually top candidates when seeking grant funding.
Since the October meeting I have learned that approximately $15-$20K would allow us to have a professional
development consultant weave all existing recreational and park plans together and create one master plan for the
region. This concept has been quite popular and history suggests that concepts such as this are good candidates for
planning and implementation funding support. I am beginning to investigate possible funding sources.
Additionally, with the recent school bond passing it appears that this is also a good time to get involved with the District to
consider any partnerships with development of the recreational facilities associated with those schools.
I believe that the Recreation Board should formally approve this strategy and set some goals and timeliness.
B.2Personnel Committee Uodate; The committee has been researching methods that would add more cladty and unity'
the administration of our program. Much of this work is still in progress. According to feedback thus far about managing
our personnel costs, the committee is researching and comparing job responsibilities and will utilize this information to
consider implementing a single administrative policy and wage manual. JA will explain the status of this research and
optimal timeline for implementation.
Recently issues associated with payroll paperwork compliance have surfaced that are becoming time consuming for our
office due to the number different potential payroll agents. Our current system is becoming increasingly more "unfriendly"
for our office and the employees that work in our various programs. Along with this agenda you will find an overview of
requirements that we are now required to follow.
Below is an outline of our research areas.
1 ) Overview of current fiscal agency roles & associated issues:
- lSD operates on a fiscal year, (July - June) and all municipalities and townships operate on a calendar year. As do we.
- JA is on lSD payroll and benefits structure while all other admin, personnel are on city payroll and benefit structure
- all recreation program staff become an employee of the host city of the activity. This lends itself to duplication of: work
comp., payroll management, & confuses the issue of liability/work comp. issues.
- requires lSD stationary checks, which are confusing to our identity.
2~ ExPloration of uniting fi~;cal agencv- ¢0n~iderations:
a) admin staff payroll and benefits: it would be possible to develop our own and set policy that covers all admin personnel
payroll and benes.
b) recreation program personnel: It could be designed to have all program personnel represent our organization and
receive a check from us rather than potentially from 4 different sources as current structure allows.
c) accounts payable / receivable: lSD currently performs this. Current format for line items is dgid due to educational
requirements that a municipality would not be bound by. lSD fiscal agency is prohibitive to our identity, if our own were
d~veloped, it could be customized to suit our specific financial management needs.
(3.3~ Consideration of establishing a Program Oevelqpment Commission: Michele and I have been discussing the
~,enefits of this type of commission. We believe that this body would be very helpful in the following manner:. Increased
ideas, local knowledge and support, eliminate potential program duplication between communities, assist us with
marketing, potential volunteer base for support with vadous activities.
We envision this group being mad of individuals that are existing Park and Recreation Commission representatives from
:heir respective communities.
would appreciate your input and consideration.
! 1/11/96
COMMUNITY RECREATION BOARD
Minutes Fr. 10/21/96
Attendance: J. Asfahl- Comm. Rec., Doug Thompson o Hassan, S. Borders - City of Dayton, G. Eitel - City of Rogers,
Vern Heidner - City of Otsego, R. Johnson - Livonia, C. McNaughton-Commers - CE
Representatives absent: Zimmerman, Elk River, lSD 728
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 by Vice-Chair Roy Johnson. Roy asked that Jeff facilitate the meeting from this
point.
A. Routine matters:
1 .) Approval of [~ast minutes: The minutes from 9/20/96 were approved on a motion by Vern Heidner, seconded by Gary
Eitet. Motion Carried.
2.) Agenda changes/additions: None
3.) Staff Reports: JA reviewed the staff reports as presented with the agenda packets. There were no questions.
B. Items of Information / Discussion:
B.1) Joint meeting with CE and ECFE advisory councils: JA reported that this meeting has been set for Thursday
January 9, 1997 - 7:00 pm. Please mark your calendars. JA reported that staff are currently determining the format and
are seeking input. JA suggested that this same evening could serve as our regular meeting as well if we met 30-45
minutes beforehand. We will play it by ear according to pending business.
All present felt comfortable with staffs determination of the meeting format.
B. 2) Field Development / Regional Planning Responsibilities: JA reviewed last months consensus that dealt with the
need/desire for shared facilities planning. The following strategy was suggested for us to begin towards this endeavor,
- inventory all current and planned facilities
- identify all individual comprehensive plans
- seek funding to underwrite a professional comprehensive plan that weaves all plans within the region into one. We must
include the School District as well.
- potential for a later phase to include grant funding to assist implementation of the plan according to this master regional
plan.
All present felt this was a good start. JA will continue down this path. More thoughts and discussion will be required.
B. 3) Healthy Communities / Building Community Assets: JA introduced several different pieces of information that all
related to "Community Assets". JA mentioned that the Asset Model is not necessarily a program but rather a philosophy
and personal commitment by all segments of a community individually, organizationally, etc. This model is gaining
widespread support and work will be ongoing in educating and informing the community. The Community Recreation
Board should continue to stay current with these activities.
B.4) Personnel Committee Report: No discussion. Motion to adjourn.
Motion at 1:15 pm to adjourn by Roy Johnson, seconded by Gary EiteL Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted, ~.~
Next Meeting to take place on: November 18th. - 11:45. Natures Hideaway - Rogers Mn.
11/14/96
Community Recreation Board
Staff Report for 11/18/96
Programming: "
- Current / Recent Activities: The fall program is well underway. Gymnastics has been very popular. The exposure to
gymnastics from the summer olympics has benefitted our gymnastic programs. The fall hayride and fun house that was
held in Otsego was very popular. Over 220 people participated. This event this year was co-sponsored with ECFE and
CE.
A sampling of this Falls opportunities that we administer are: Mens volleyball, Women's volleyball, adult basketball, adult
flag football, Jr. and Sr. High volleyball and Flag football, open gyms, gymnastics, hayride, a haunted fun house, pumpkin
patch scavenger hunt, pillo-polo, start smart, indoor walking programs, plus various special events planned in cooperation
with the CE and ECFE programs.
The skatepark in Elk River was very popular. Elk river is considering the development of a permanent park. Other cities
may want to consider this as well. The police chief in Elk River has reported that since the development of this temporary
skatepark[ark, his officers have not encountered one incident in the community related to skteboarding. Prior to the park,
it was a routine matter they were forced to deal with.
We are beginning to finalize plan for this Winters activities. Michele has outlined the various programs in her report.
Miscellaneous Updates:
- Youth Needs: The "Youth Initiatives" process is very exciting. We continue to meet and have good meeting attendance.
Our next meeting is Tuesday. December 3rd 7:00 pm at Salk Jr. High. Atta~qched with this me_etings agenda packet you will
find a Trifold brochure that Michele developed to help explain this endeavor. We had the opportunity to exhibit this
'pr~oce~"s at the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association conference that recently took place.
- I still have not heard any new information in some time now with regard to the lSD/CE Center office space strategies.
With the passing of the school bond levy, this issue may again begin to receive some attention.
- Marketing efforts: CE, ECFE and Recreation have been working closely on improving and developing our market
efforts. Jointly we have developed a banner that has thus far been very useful, signage to promote registration and
special events, and shared advertising through a vadety of sources, (theatre, grocery bags, parades, newspaper)
Marketing of our programs and services is crucial.
We recently were at the Business Expo. and took the opportunity to survey the participants. Please find the results of this
survey with today's packet.
- Ongoing research to accomplish what is needed for the personnel committee related to developing a policy and wage
manual for administrative personnel. Alexandria has a program structure similar to ours and I have been in contact with
them to learn how they handle their personnel related systems.
- Michele and I attended the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association annual conference on Nov. 6-8 in Duluth.
-- Will once again begin meeting regularly with the leaders of the youth athletic associations to evaluate their past season
and begin preparing for 1997. Our next meeting is Nov. 21st.
- Met with various leaders associated to youth service to consider methods of better sharing planning and working
together to promote activities. This was determined to be a good start and encouraged by those who have been part of
the "Youth Initiative" meetings. Our next meeting is November 19th.
- The city of Elk River has asked that I (Jeff Asfahl) serve on the Ice Arena Advisory Commission. I have been working
with the Ice Arena manager to develop community use programs at the arena. The arena was formerly managed by the
Youth Hockey Association and it is now being managed by the city.
- The city of Elk River continues to consider a relationship with the MSF (an amateur sports organization) to construct a
50+ thousand square foot sports center. This project has potential community use benefit for recreational purposes.
- Along with CE and ECFE we have met with some a(~vocates for persons with disabilities and have identified some areas
that we can better serve this ccmmunity and those certain needs. In particular I learned that there is a need for a Special
Olympics program in this region. We are meeting with a committee of regional experts to continue work towards being
able to best serve this population. This committee may help us to develop a needs assessment survey.
November Program Report-Michele Bergh
Jeff and I just attended the annual MRPA conference in Duluth. We attended some good workshops and also
had a chance to share some of our accomplishments with youth programs at the conference's "Hall of Ideas".
We also got to visit with other organizations to see what kind of programs they offer and got some good ideas.
One of the programs we liked was from Hibbing where they had a van and went to the area parks with
activities for kids. We thought this might be a positive direction for the Ride the Rec program.
I have just begun staffing for the Warming House Attendant positions available. It looks like we will have
several returning staff members.
We are looking at making some improvements to our gymnastics program. This is in the initial steps, but we
are looking at changing the criteria and steps and possibly becoming a part of the USGF organization.
Jeff and I met with Lauren from the City of Elk River last week regarding payroll and our meeting has raised
some issues that have caused some concerns. We are continuing to collect information so we'll know how to
proceed from here. Some of the issues are with new State guidelines that make it difficult for us with our
current payroll setup.
Jeff and I have been tossing around the idea of establishing a Program Development Commission for
Community Recreation. If each of the Park Commissions appointed a representative to assist with
programming and marketing, it would eliminate duplicate efforts and allow some collaboration between
communities.
Overall, things are going very well. We are working hard to collaborate with Community Ed and ECFE. We
are currently planning the Winter/Spring season and I am very excited about some of our new offerings. Our
Winter/Spring offerings are as follows:
Gymnastics
Mens Basketball
Intramural Boot Hockey
Start Smart
Open Gyms
Cheerleading Clinic
Winter Fun Fest
Outing for Timberwolves game with Pam?
Youth Volleyball
Bike Rodeo and Ride - Collaberative
Outdoor Skating Lessons/Clinic
Santa Letters
Ice Arena
Curling Club
Broom Ball
Concerts
Open In Line Skating
3 vs 3 Floor Hockey
Womens and Mens Volleyball
Intramural Basketball
Outdoor Skating Lessons
Pillo Polo
Indoor Walking
Dash n Splash
Try Its
Rollerblade Outing with Pam?
Transportation Fair
Family Skating and Sledding Event -
Collaberative
Coaches Training
30+ Open Hockey
In Line Hockey League
Skating Lessons
Floor Hockey
Open In Line Skating
m
1996 Business Expo
SURVEY RESPONSES
191 responses returned
Your gender: Male = 35 Female = 150 Unknown = 6
Your age: Under 18 = 14 18-25 = 6 25-50 = 128 Over 50 = 40
Unknown = 3
My immediate family household includes:
(Not everyone responded. Often the Adult section was not checl(ed - only the children's ages were indicated.)
Infant = 15 Preschooler = 25 Elementary = 80 Junior High = 63 Adult = 115
Senior Citizen = 25 Senior High = 45
Check the services in District 728 of which you are aware.
Learning Readiness = 65
Scheduling Use of Schools = 77
E.C.F.E. = 120
Adult Basic Education = 112
Family Learning = 61
Community Recreation = 135
Adult Enrichment = 97
Youth Enrichment = 71
Parent Involvement = 79
Early Childhood Screening = 112
Senior Citizen Programming = 59
Adult Recreational Leagues = 66
Have you or your family members participated in any class/activity provided by:
Community Education Yes = 133 No = 44
Community Recreation Yes = 100 No = 51
E.C.F.E. Yes = 60 No = 86
If you answered no, please check a reason(s)
unaware = 24 cost = 7
too busy = 20 childcare concerns = 2
did not get/read brochure = 5 nothing interests me = 6
not offered at a good time = 10 other = 29
transportation = 3
new in town: 9
Do you get the Community Education brochure?
Yes = 157 No = 18 ? = 16
Is transportation to or from activities a problem for you or your family?
Yes = 20 No = 153 ? = 16 Sometimes = 2
If yes, in what community do you live?
Otsego = 2
Elk River = 3
Albertville = 2
Big Lake = 2
Rogers = 3
Zimmerman = 1
Senior High Rise = 1
What classes, activities or services would you like to see offered for you or your family
in the future?
Keep doing what you are doing.
Need some place for young people to go.
Yoga.
Dog classes.
Kids' responsibility.
None that I know of.
More building classes with children's projects.
Web page.
Art. After school activities for teens!
More gymnastics.
More classes for ADHD children.
Arthritis.
More junior high dance.
More stuff for junior and senior high kids.
Snowshoe making class.
Outdoor activities.
Homework Helpline open longer.
Community Center.
I liked seeing the parenting classes. I was disappointed that there wasn't enough interest in
the "How to Stay Cool" parent/child class. I hope you will try to run that one again.
Energy info classes.
Safety, physical fitness.
Line dancing.
Computer.
More swimming.
More swimming classes.
Arts.
More offered in Rogers.
Sign language class for families.
Manners. Skateboarding. Language.
Aerobics.
Maybe a band or marching band for all ages of people in our community.
Language classes. Classes not as expensive.
Craft classes.
A place for young people to attend.
More computer. Rocketry. Photography.
Knitting class - machine.
Art classes. Dance classes (variety such as Country Western).
Music - voice.
Senior bus trips.
Good selection now.
Art - such as drawing, watercolor, etc.
More outings for toddlers.
Stock classes.
Trips.
Cooking.
Anything for people over "50".
All offered.
Use of a computer.
More Saturday classes. Day trip to Dayton's Christmas display.
Parenting classes for parents with children in school.
More adult craft and hobbies.
Computer.
More gymnastics.
Children's volleyball.
More good gym times for youth basketball.
An alternative day of the week for gun training.
Just more of any classes so more people have an opportunity to attend, it's too limited,
especially with the population growing as it is.
Bus activities to the Timberwolves.
More youth activities - middle school age. Aqua aerobics, Iow impact aerobics eady pm or
Saturday.
More sports.
Karate.
Decorative art - painting.
Languages.
Pre-schooler fitness class.
More "couples" classes that aren't only for ECFE families. Even parents of high schoolers like
to strengthen relationships.
What do you consider to be the number one problem in your community?
Young people with too much free time.
Crime.
Not enough activities in area for students.
Children getting in trouble because they seem "bored".
Not enough activity locations for kids.
No place for the kids to hang out.
Teenagers need a place to go.
Rapid growth and school overcrowding.
Good things for teens to do!
Not enough summer activities
Youth enrichment.
Crime.
Too much time on teens' hands.
Not enough evening items for kids.
Junior and senior high activities; skateboarding park is one idea.
Too busy of families - no time for relationships.
Drugs.
Crime.
10-15 year olds lack of interest, or transportation if interested, in these for programs.
Rise in crime.
No place for older kids to go to have fun.
School space.
Activities for teenagers.
Violence and hatefulness.
Parent participation in child's development.
Kids.
Over crowded schools.
Space for kids.
Not enough Iow income housing.
Sports competition.
Activities for preschoolers offered in evenings instead of daytime.
Transportation to events.
Things for children to do if not in sports. Overcrowded classrooms.
Not enough for kids to do.
Kids don't have anything to do.
No where for the youth to go.
Theft and drug with youth.
Youth mentors.
Need youth center.
Traffic.
A lot of people.
Lack of youth activities.
Drugs.
There is not much to do - like rollerskating, public pool and stuff like that is needed.
Juvenile crime.
Crime. Kids need a place to go to.
Over crowded schools.
Over crowding of schools.
Keeping taxes down.
Attitude toward schools, authority, self.
Schools.
Teens.
No place for kids' entertainment.
Not enough room and teachers in the schools; esp. the senior high.
High school over crowding.
Juvenile crime.
School space.
Non-sports activities for kids.
No public bus transportation.
Kids (junior-senior high school) not getting involved in activities.
Schools.
Lack of activities for youth, other than sports.
Not enough to keep young people occupied.
Our young people don't have a place to have fun at.
Activities for teens or a place for them to be.
Crowded schools.
Youth/teenager activities, hang outs.
Something for youth to do and a place to go.
Spending over our budget.
Something for teens.
Preschool.
Supervised, inexpensive entertainment for kids 10-16.
No place for children play in winter.
Need of a community center/complex.
Overcrowded schools.
Lack of respect of children for adults.
Need more for youth to do, a place.
Not enough good things for teens to do at Iow cost.
Not enough activities for teenagers.
Teen rec alternatives.
No bridge crossing over 169.
Not enough for the children after school.
Not enough youth activities.
No place for children to meet.
Need things for kids to do.
Growing population.
No place for kids to go for activities.
Nothing for high school students to do,
Not enough for kids to do.
Activities for junior high kids.
Would you or someone you know consider teaching a class?
Laura Mevissen
19320 Dodge Street
Elk River 441-6691
Joni Cragoe -"1 would help."
11134 193rd Ave NW
Elk River 441-0678
Jan Ouellette
19741 Ulysses
Elk River 441-5062
Dale Brown
13192 192nd Ave NW
Elk River 441-2519
Shirley Kostzewski- "maybe"
18233 Nowthen
753-5405
Vance Zehringer
Elk River 441-6536
Jill Stalpes - Aerobics
624-5142
Patti Wahlroos
13742 189th Ave NW
Elk River 241-0572
Jimmy Stevens
7972 O'day Ave NE
Otsego 441-3293
R. Williams
P O Box 446
Otsego 441-0346
Tom Humphrey
1845 Wand
Elk River 241-1184, 441-7504
C. Kryzer- "maybe"
21708 Cty Rd 15
Elk River 263-3716
Would you be interested in serving on an Advisory Council for Community Education or
ECFE?
Laura Mevissen
19320 Dodge Street
Elk River 441-6691
Joni Cragoe -"1 would help."
11134 193rd Ave NW
Elk River 441-0678
Sandy Mevissen
441-6691
Rose Anderson
12812 189th Ave
Elk River 441-6661
Dale Brown
13192 192nd Ave NW
Elk River 441-2519
Jane Lindenfelser
11348 202nd Ave
Elk River 441-1655
Patti Packer
15518 95th St NE
Otsego 241-9086
Shad Pikkaraine
9638 181st Ave NW
Elk River 441-4800
Patti Wahlroos - "maybe"
13742 189th Ave NW
Elk River 241-0572
R. Williams
P O Box 446
Otsego 441-0346
Tom Humphrey
1845 Wand
Elk River 241-1184, 441-7504
C. Kryzer
21708 Cty Rd 15
Elk River 263-3716
11/11/96
~', Jar Youth Advocate:
Please be reminded that the next meeting regarding the "Youth Initiatives" is scheduled for Tuesday
December 3, 1996 at 7:00pm at Satk Junior High Room 206. Please enter door S on the east side
of the building. Hope to see you there!
7'he following infcrmation is a summary of the discussion from the last meeting held on October 29th.
Study of existing facilities
-Continuous use at schools is ok, but equipment cannot be stored (use is encouraged district wide)
-After school activities "Afterctass" offered by Community Ed - slow start, some success, lots of
~otential. Desire funding to help keep cost down
-Extended "Lions Den" in 1997 has been budgeted
-Indoor skate park? (fairgrounds as a possible use should be investigated)
* Watz Up Cafe Club
-Conducting focus groups
-Collecting furniture and equipment
-Have looked at the old "Play It Again" as possible site but may be to small
-Looked into Lee's Riverside Auto (expensive - $670K) Questionable location
-Working with a builder to consider construction costs
-ts it possible to locate near an eventual skate park site?
-Working on fund raising
Youth Process/Empowerment
-Exposure to the press about this process
-Considering how to get a youth board going (Cafe club should rely on this)
-Should this sub-committee meet again? What about adult advisors?
-Suggested to just "get going,. This committee is likely to meet again soon
Mentoring/lntergenerational Mixing
-Contact made with WCCO regarding their mentoring program, WCCO can arrange to send a
representative to our community to share this information further
-Suggested that an in-service of mentors be offered via Community Ed. Annette Watz is willing to
train with experience from Target. She would like to connect with a professional
counselor/psychiatrist
-Pat Felt has started a group called "Men in Harmony". Meets weekly before school with youth
Communication Clearing House
-~let with area youth leaders on October 8, meeting again November 19
-Searching for methods to increase awareness and sharo plans and how to promote.The following
concepts were listed:
-phone line/web site
-community billboard
-information boxes similar to drop off utilities payment concept
-use of the school calendar
-develop activity schedules
-intemet
-develop a "how to" list for consistent promotional methods
-use of the press, for the support of regular publishing of data (there is a new paper called the
Citizen)
Other/Next Steps
-Youth skate park enthusiasts to meet with Elk River Park Commission at their November 13 meeting
-Ask the ER Park Commission to appoint a representative to the Youth Initiatives process meetings
- Get flyers for youth promoting the next meeting
-Send meeting information to teachers via Steve Vevea
NEXT MEETING TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 1996 AT 7:00PM
Oti._r Areas of Growth
*Better communication between
community service organizations
and youth
*More collaborative efforts*Youth empowerment &
involvement
*Increased mentoring*Modeling assets as developed by
the Search Institute
Youth Initiatives
Partners
Teens
Community Recreation Board
District 728 Community
Education
Community Youth Task Force
Local Churches
Private Business
Local Government
School District
It takes an entire community
to make things happen!
YOUTH
INITIATIVES
BOARD
~DISTRICT 728 ~
I ommuplty
Education
Community
Youth
orce
Th~. ~listory of the Youth
Initiatives Process
History Continued...
P rogra _m_s__Resu!tin_g_ p__m_t_he
Youth Initiatives Process
In November, 1995 the Mayor of Elk
River asked the local joint powers
Community Recreation Board for their
support in developing increased leisure
time opportunities for the area youth.
The mayor suggested, for starters that
the Community Recreation Board,
District 728 Community Education and
the Community Youth Task Force work
together to develop new leisure time
opportunities. Hence, "Youth Initiatives".
Staff representatives first began
meeting in December, 1995 and
determined that some focus study work
with youth would be a good start. We
arranged to study 90 junior high
students and have the focus group be
facilitated by senior high aged students.
We then trained 24 senior high aged
students on how to effectively facilitate
a focus group. Our focus revolved
around an all-too-familiar phrase of:
"There's nothing to do". The selection
of the focus group participants was
based on their interests and where they
lived. The region that we serve (District
728) includes 14 local governments and
5 counties.
This "Youth Summit" took place in
March, 1996 and the findings were
reported to the community and to the
leadership of the region's local
government in May, 1996. We then
determined that more dialogue needed
to take place with the whole community.
On July 16, 1996 we hosted our first
meeting to begin facilitating a
community- wide discussion. There
were approximately 65 individuals at
this meeting. This meeting process has
continued and has met monthly with
about 30 individuals (adult and youth)
attending. Throughout these meetings,
we have identified and have been
working towards the following four key
goals:
1) Investigate existing facilities/buildings
for potential use for a youth center.
2) Youth Empowerment / Process.
3) Shared communication /
clearinghouse.
4) Mentoring / intergenerational mixing.
This has been an exciting experience
thus far and we believe that as it
continues even more opportunities will
develop.
Some Programs Available Prior
to the Youth Initiatives Process
Intramural Sports
Open Gyms
Basketball Camps
Cheerleading Clinic
Various Enrichment Classes
Outings/Traveling Tuesdays
Seasonal Youth Dances, Junior High
and Upper Elementary
Summer Youth Center
Youth Advisory Council
3 on 3 Basketball Tournaments
The Lion's Den - Park shelter was
staffed and open for youth Monday-
Friday throughout the summer with
planned activities, special events
and people to talk to.
Sand Volleyball Leagues
Oak Knoll Skate Park - Parking lot
made available to youth for
skateboarding, bmx-style biking
and rollerblading. Area was
barricaded and participants were
allowed to leave their ramps and
equipment at the park.
Non-School Day Carnival
Try Its - A mentoring opportunity for
high school students to show youth
what types of clubs and activities
are available to them at the senior
high age level.
Skateboard Demo
AfterClass ~ classes al~d a place to
hang out provided to youth at the
Junior highs after school.
Sumo Summer Kickoff ~ Special
event to kick off summer activities.
Wild on Wednesdays ~ A place to
hang out, swim and play games on
Wednesdays during the summer.