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Th~. ~listory of the Youth <br /> Initiatives Process <br /> <br />History Continued... <br /> <br />P rogra _m_s__Resu!tin_g_ p__m_t_he <br /> Youth Initiatives Process <br /> <br />In November, 1995 the Mayor of Elk <br />River asked the local joint powers <br />Community Recreation Board for their <br />support in developing increased leisure <br />time opportunities for the area youth. <br />The mayor suggested, for starters that <br />the Community Recreation Board, <br />District 728 Community Education and <br />the Community Youth Task Force work <br />together to develop new leisure time <br />opportunities. Hence, "Youth Initiatives". <br /> <br />Staff representatives first began <br />meeting in December, 1995 and <br />determined that some focus study work <br />with youth would be a good start. We <br />arranged to study 90 junior high <br />students and have the focus group be <br />facilitated by senior high aged students. <br />We then trained 24 senior high aged <br />students on how to effectively facilitate <br />a focus group. Our focus revolved <br />around an all-too-familiar phrase of: <br />"There's nothing to do". The selection <br />of the focus group participants was <br />based on their interests and where they <br />lived. The region that we serve (District <br />728) includes 14 local governments and <br />5 counties. <br /> <br />This "Youth Summit" took place in <br />March, 1996 and the findings were <br />reported to the community and to the <br />leadership of the region's local <br />government in May, 1996. We then <br />determined that more dialogue needed <br />to take place with the whole community. <br /> <br />On July 16, 1996 we hosted our first <br />meeting to begin facilitating a <br />community- wide discussion. There <br />were approximately 65 individuals at <br />this meeting. This meeting process has <br />continued and has met monthly with <br />about 30 individuals (adult and youth) <br />attending. Throughout these meetings, <br />we have identified and have been <br />working towards the following four key <br />goals: <br /> <br />1) Investigate existing facilities/buildings <br /> for potential use for a youth center. <br />2) Youth Empowerment / Process. <br />3) Shared communication / <br /> clearinghouse. <br />4) Mentoring / intergenerational mixing. <br /> <br />This has been an exciting experience <br />thus far and we believe that as it <br />continues even more opportunities will <br />develop. <br /> <br />Some Programs Available Prior <br />to the Youth Initiatives Process <br /> <br />Intramural Sports <br />Open Gyms <br />Basketball Camps <br />Cheerleading Clinic <br />Various Enrichment Classes <br />Outings/Traveling Tuesdays <br />Seasonal Youth Dances, Junior High <br /> and Upper Elementary <br />Summer Youth Center <br />Youth Advisory Council <br /> <br />3 on 3 Basketball Tournaments <br />The Lion's Den - Park shelter was <br /> staffed and open for youth Monday- <br /> Friday throughout the summer with <br /> planned activities, special events <br /> and people to talk to. <br />Sand Volleyball Leagues <br />Oak Knoll Skate Park - Parking lot <br /> made available to youth for <br /> skateboarding, bmx-style biking <br /> and rollerblading. Area was <br /> barricaded and participants were <br /> allowed to leave their ramps and <br /> equipment at the park. <br /> Non-School Day Carnival <br />Try Its - A mentoring opportunity for <br /> high school students to show youth <br /> what types of clubs and activities <br /> are available to them at the senior <br /> high age level. <br />Skateboard Demo <br />AfterClass ~ classes al~d a place to <br /> hang out provided to youth at the <br /> Junior highs after school. <br />Sumo Summer Kickoff ~ Special <br /> event to kick off summer activities. <br />Wild on Wednesdays ~ A place to <br /> hang out, swim and play games on <br /> Wednesdays during the summer. <br /> <br /> <br />