For this year’s Winter Explorers End of Season Celebration, trip we decided to go take the youth ice skating at the Ralph Walker Ice Rink. Now, I am from a tropical island and had never been ice skating before. I was nervous and I thought to myself, “I will stay on the side and take pictures.”

Then I considered how part of my work is about pushing young people to try new things and to take risks and experiment. So I decided to put my skates on and hit the ice with youth, although I was worried that they would make fun of me because I couldn’t skate. That was a risk I was willing to take.

I picked up my crate which helped me balanced on the ice, still wondering if youth would tease me. Then Tinaejah and Shania, two Stewards in the Winter program, came over to where I was standing and said “It’s okay, we’ll help you”. I said yes show me how you guys do this!”

They began teaching me how to push and glide with skates as I struggled along with my crate, going around and around the rink. After falling a number of times, I got the hand of moving forward, all thanks to Tinaejah and Shania who kept on coming back to check on me, and to teach and encourage me. It was amazing to see how the roles had shifted in this scenario. The young people displayed kindness and compassion towards me that was encouraging to me, and reinforced how positive our youth can be.

The following was written by Tatiana, one of thirteen Spring 2012 Interns who attended the Solar Youth Staff Retreat in the White Mountains of New Hampshire!

The retreat to New Hampshire was a wonderful experience I will never forget. It impacted me in many ways by showing me that trying new things opens things you never knew about yourself. Getting to the top of a peak was breathtaking. I had a fun time on the retreat and would do it again if I could.

Left to right: Educators and Interns at the top of Lowe's Bald Spot; Tatiana (right) with fellow Intern Kayla; Interns getting geared up to cross-country ski!

See more photos of Interns in New Hampshire HERE!

This Spring season promises to be Solar Youth’s most impactful yet! With our 22 Program Interns and 12 Green Jobs Interns leading the way, we can’t wait to work with youth in 3 neighborhoods and 2 New Haven Public Schools!

Below are some thoughts on the upcoming season, and what our Interns have been doing in order to get there, from Educators Kate Biller and Chisom Amechi.

While most of the new and a few of the returning Program Interns hiked and skied in the White Mountains on their training retreat last week, a few Interns and adult Educators stayed back to explore the local ecosystem of New Haven. To close out the week of group challenge activities in New Haven and atop Sleeping Giant, we decided to spend Thursday exploring West Rock! Armed with packed lunches, full water bottles, and plenty of warm layers, seven Interns and four adult Educators started the day hike at McConaughy Terrace, where we left for the trail.

After a bit of bush-whacking, we made our way to the red trail. Stopping at Judge’s Cave for lunch and the summit for some photo opportunities, the group made their way through West Rock with smiles and sunshine on their faces! With a great team effort from the Interns, we found our way onto the Solar Youth trail, where we learned about its’ creation and purpose. By the end, everyone was thankful for the sunny day, and ready to rest their tired legs! - Kate

Above, left to right: Program Interns on the Tower Trail at Sleeping Giant State Park, and later that week hiking West Rock

And Program Interns weren’t the only ones having fun last week! Green Jobs is also gearing up for an exciting Spring season program! During the winter season, we hired 12 amazing Green Jobs Interns from around New Haven and went through joint trainings with Solar Youth Program interns, and the Spring program now has the ingredients for the making of an epic season! For the first time ever, Green Jobs Youth Development will be in multiple neighborhoods! In addition to Westville Manor, we will also be adding Green Jobs to the almost full menu of programs in the McConaughy Terrace neighborhood. We are also welcoming our new Program Assistant, Samuel Weiser, who was hired during the winter season. Although Green Jobs had a season off, we were by no means inactive! We’ve been incorporating a lot of changes into the program model and preparing for a dynamic season. Be sure to check the blog throughout the Spring to hear about all the great things Green Jobs will be doing! - Chisom

Above: Green Jobs Interns and Program Interns at Spring 2012 Staff Training

We just found this video from last summer, when Nicole Dunnaville (long-time SY-er) spoke with great wisdom about the need for youth opportunities and empowerment in our communities. Needless to say, we're incredibly proud of her!

Nicole is currently a Junior at Southern Connecticut State University, where she is studying Social Work.