Our youth constantly amaze us with their can-do attitude and their desire to be of service to their communities.  So when Westville Manor Leaders-in-Training decided to do an “extra C-SAP” to help New Haven recover from Hurricane Sandy,  we just sat back at let them do their thing.

After talking to a few New Haven residents, the youth decided that the work that still needed to be done were in the parks – trails had still not been cleared, and it was difficult for them to embark on some of their favorite hikes.  So we enlisted the support of the West Rock Trail Association, who by chance was heading into the park to clear trails that very week.

So the youth dragged themselves out of bed at the crack of dawn and met Tom Ebersold, one of WRTA’s superstar volunteers at the entrance into the park.  The beginning of the trail didn’t look too bad – the youth cleared fallen branches and loose stones and tossed them deep into the woods.  A quarter mile in, they hit their first big obstacle – a red oak that had been uprooted by strong winds and fallen directly across the trail that they used regularly to get to Judge’s Cave.

The youth went over safety procedures one more time, including the “CIRCLE OF DEATH”, the aptly named circumference that must be maintained around people who are using sharp tools.  Then they rolled up their sleeves, picked up the hand saws, and started the arduous, back breaking work of sawing the tree into small logs that they could move off the trail.

It took nearly 30 minutes, but with a loud CRACK, they finally finished the last cut and continued up the trail.

Along the way, Tom stopped to show youth how to identify invasive species during the winter months when they’ve lost their leaves – such as the autumn olive, which wraps around trees and prevents healthy growth.

By the time the morning was through, all the volunteers were sweaty and exhausted.  They cleared two miles of trail and cleared three full-grown trees!  Wow!  Thanks Leaders in Training!

On Friday, September 28, 17 high school Interns and four Solar Youth staff loaded a bus and headed out towards Massachusetts for a two-day staff retreat.  

At the beginning of each season, Solar Youth Interns and Educators complete a two-week intensive staff training and two-day retreat to prepare them for the start of programs.  This year the retreat took place in the Berkshires at Noble View Camp in Russell, MA.  Despite the rain everyone was in high spirits and had a blast!  The Interns and Educators hiked by waterfalls, learned new skills from one another, hosted a Solar Youth Idol, made a campfire (in the rain), and all grew closer together. 

Here are a few highlights from their trip!

Interns used their map and navigation skills to lead a hike!

The group walked by waterfalls, learned about safe river crossings, and saw salamanders! 

Returning Interns put their skills to work by leading group activities and games after the hike!  

After a busy weekend, everyone returned to the office in high spirits! One of the returning Interns said, “I would just like to thank you all for making this trip fun. I was not looking forward to camping.  I thought I was going to cry every night.  But I didn’t! I had a lot of fun getting to know you all!”   Thanks again to AMC’s Youth Opportunities Program for supporting us and making these trips possible!

Check out more photos of the Fall 2012 Intern Retreat trip HERE!

Solar Youth kicked off the fall season with another successful hike at West Rock Park! Youth hiked up West Rock to Judges Cave, a historical landmark in New Haven and a natural jungle gym!  

 After thoroughly exploring the cave and eating lunch everyone began the decent down to the baseball field at the base of the park.  

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting to know one another through team building games, parachutes, and of course kick ball! The kick off hike was the best way to spend such a glorious fall day! 

Check out more photos from the hike HERE!

Community gardens?  Advocating for food justice?  A morning spent in the fresh fall air?  How could Leaders in Training NOT be there?

Former basketball player and food justice hero Will Allen was in New Haven two weeks ago, participating in The Big Stink, a tour of New Haven community gardens, where volunteers were planting garlic to raise awareness for the need for access to fresh food in urban areas.  Leaders in Training (Solar Youth’s program for 7^th and 8^th graders) were chosen to lead volunteers for the planting in the Ivy Street Community Garden in Newhallville.

It was a chilly day, but that didn’t give these leaders pause for a second.  After finally finding the garden (they may have gotten a little lost along the way), they prepped the beds in preparation for the planting.  There were four different kinds of garlic to choose from, and each of these four stewards chose a species they felt matched their personality!  

When the bus finally arrived, these phenomenal youth each spoke about Solar Youth in front of over 40 people!  They explained the best way to plant garlic, which they learned the week prior at the Yale Farm, and demonstrated in the beds they prepared.

Everyone was very impressed with our Leaders ability to speak in public, teach environmental skills, and advocate for the change they want to see in their communities.  By the end of the day, they were beaming with pride!  Way to go LITs!

Thanks to Chris Randall for taking such awesome photos!  Check out more photos from The Big Stink HERE!

Niamke Ellis has been a Steward since the fall season of 2003. Since then, his passion for service and his heart for Solar Youth have carried him through several Program Internships, where he has consistently been a leader among Stewards and peers alike.

This fall, nine years since he first joined Solar Youth, Niamke will be heading off to attend college at the University of Bridgeport taking with him all that he has learned and accomplished at Solar Youth. As a farewell to his Intern years, and a thank you to the staff at Solar Youth, Niamke prepared a speech that he read at the Public Education Forum last week. 

From participant of ’03 to intern of 2012. From ecosystem and watersheds to my current Advanced Placement Environmental Science class. Being in Solar Youth all these years has taught me how to give guidance and be a leader. Taught me to be responsible. I’ve also learned great work ethics through training and working at the sites. From Solar Youth I’ve gained a vast amount of information about guiding a group, whether it be the smallest of Citycology to the energetic Steward Teams.

Guidance: Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty. Not being a dictator or a boss, but guiding the group to success. This I have accomplished with the countless CSAPs, programs, and PEFs like today that I have completed.

Within Solar Youth – mainly in the past four years I have been working – I have become extremely responsible in everything I do. Being prepared, having great attendance, and knowing my role. This has helped mold me into the responsible individual that I am today.

Because of Solar Youth I have acquired many skills. From the start at John S. Martinez, to Citycology, to my current 6^th grade Barnard Steward Team. Because of training and all of the time spent working at Solar Youth I have gained many skills and strengths. Public speaking, behavior management, knowledge of the environment, and much more.

Because of Solar Youth I have developed a positive sense of self, a connection and commitment to others, and I am here today to pass down my knowledge and thank Solar Youth for what they represent. 

Clockwise from top left: With Randall, another Steward-turned-Intern in summer camp; Finishing an activity during the Summer Camp "Morning Cruise"; Dress-up (always a SY favorite); Reading his speech at the Solar Youth PEF; Leading a game during Barnard Steward Team; Helping Stewards plan their teach project during the Spring 2012 Youth Summit

We're so proud of you, Niamke!
You'll be an incredible example of leadership wherever you go!

Every season, Solar Youth holds a Public Education Forum where kids showcase their Community Service Action Projects (C-SAPs). Here's a look back at their incredible work, and play!

Special thanks to Hallie Martenson for creating the beautiful slideshow!

The second annual Women in the Wilderness trip took place from April 16-18, 2012, at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Mohican Outdoor Center in New Jersey. Led by two female Solar Youth educators, Chisom and Julie, the trip brought 5 young women (Kiyama, Tanayza, Marangely, Paulina, and Kenaya) into the backcountry for 3 days of fun, learning, and leadership development. The girls learned how to plan a meal for 7, shop for groceries, and then cooked all meals. They learned how to pack a day pack, avoid blisters, treat water with iodine, and set up tents. Together, the group completed a 6-mile hike along a ridge to a fire tower, then climbed to the top! The group canoed, too, and some learned how to paddle a canoe for the first time while others reinforced prior skills. The group also celebrated 3 birthdays on the trip and had brownies and cake for the occasion. We also had time for a lot of fun, and spent time getting to know each other, playing games, and even encountering a black rat snake!

Left to right: Julie guiding the girls through their hiking route; At the trailhead of the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail!; Setting up camp

Find more photos of the Women in the Wilderness trip HERE.