Dryden O.U.R.S.

Opportunity, Understanding, Respect, Success (OURS) is a 4-H program for youth residing in or nearby under-served mobile home parks in Freeville, New York. Every week, volunteers from Cornell University's Youth Outreach Undergraduates Reshaping Success (YOURS) program work with the youth through mentoring, games, crafts, outdoor activities, and field trips.

OURS is a community-based youth program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.
YOURS is a Cornell University Public Service Center program.  Contact YOURS at: 200 Barnes Hall, Cornell University, Fax: 607-255-9550

Cool NEW 2012 Summer Opportunity

Homesteading & The Lost Arts  (Held on two different weeks within the summer) - July 30-August 2 & August 20 - 23. (M-Th) 9am - 4pm; $200-$275 (sliding scale). Ages 10-16.

Spend a few days learning some traditional lost homesteading arts like barn style building, gardening, open fire cooking, weaving, drum making, chicken lore and more! Meets at 4-H Acres in Ithaca, 418 Lower Creek Rd. For more information go to...  http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/12/03/26/homesteading-lost-arts.  

school year Programs 

Download and Print Brochure / Permission Form

During the academic semesters, OURS holds 3 programs each week, including Monday Mentoring, Tuesday Teen & 'Tween Leadership Council, and Friday Fun for All Ages. In addition, programs are offered during student breaks and during the summer. These programs are held on-site in the mobile home parks or out in the local community, and are generally oriented toward service-learning, team-building, outdoor activity and environmental appreciation, or involve educational field trips to work with presenters from local agencies.  About 50 youth, ages 7-17, participate each year and most participate in at least two programs each week during the school year as well as during the summer and school breaks.

The Dryden Youth Commission and Tompkins County Youth Services fund the OURS Program Manager's half-time position and van to transport youth to and from programs. Transportation, funded by the Town of Dryden, is provided for youth to attend programs at no cost to the families. However, all programs, projects, and other operational expenses including mileage and food must be paid for through ongoing fundraising and grants.

Programs are open to youth age 7-17 living in Freeville mobile home parks and nearby.  See program descriptions & calendar for eligibility requirements, space limitations & van pick-up times.  Most programs are free, and some CCETC van transportation is available for every program listed below.

MONDAY MENTORING ~ Mondays 5-6:30 PM @ 4-H Acres, beginning September 19.  Did you ever wish you had a mentor, someone who could help you with your homework, listen about your day and do fun activities with you?  In this program you will be paired up one-on-one with a Cornell student who will be your mentor for the entire fall, and maybe even longer!  The mentor's role is to give you academic support and provide fun activities to help you pursue your interests.  Your mentor can help you in subjects where you struggle, and help you to learn more about the subjects you're interested in, and have fun doing it! Remember to come regularly & tell your mentor when you can't. Thanks!  This semester we even have funding for some special mentored individual life learning field trips!  Congers MHP -  Van pick-up offered ~ 4:35 PM.     Beaconview MHP ~4:45 PM.  Hanshaw MHP - Van pick-up offered @ 4:50 PM & 5:05 PM (if more interested) at the mailboxes.

TUESDAY TEEN/'TWEEN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ~ Tuesdays 5-6:30 PM, beginning September 20.  The Teen/'Tween Leadership Council is for older O.U.R.S. youth who are ready to work together as a team to solve real issues in their community through discussions, community service-learning, and event planning.  Youth take on leadership roles within their peer group and in their community, so a high level of maturity and motivation are required.  Planning, discussion and team-building activities will take place at 4-H Acres, but other events and community service activities will take place out in the community.  This fall we will be continuing with the ECHO (Expanding Career Horizons & Opportunities) grant, so participants can look forward to setting goals for themselves and learning about many different possible future career paths!  Congers MHP -  Van pick-up offered ~ 4:35 PM.  Beaconview MHP ~4:45 PM.  Hanshaw MHP - Van pick-up offered @ 4:55 PM at the mailboxes

FRIDAY FUN FOR ALL AGES ~ Fridays 5-6:30, beginning September 23.  The Friday program is an experiential learning program.  It is run as a three-project model, offering Nutritional Cooking, Fitness, and Arts & Crafts projects for youth to join.  You can stay in the same group you were with last spring, or try something new, but then please stick with the group you choose! Congers MHP -  Van pick-up offered ~ 4:35 PM.   Beaconview MHP ~4:45 PM. Hanshaw MHP - Van pick-up offered @ 4:50 PM & 5:05 PM (if more interested) at the mailboxes.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT BE HOLDING PROGRAMS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: Friday, October 7 - Tuesday, October 8, Friday, November 25.  THE LAST WEEK OF THE MON - TUES - FRI PROGRAMS IS November 28 - December 2.

If you have your own transportation, please let Nikki know as this could allow more youth to attend. For information or questions, please contact: Nikki Nease, Dryden O.U.R.S. Program Manager:  nikki.yeah@hotmail.com or njn35@cornell.edu, (607) 272-2292, box 224.

Email: oursandyours@gmail.com  Visit the OURS/YOURS Website:http://rso.cornell.edu/oursandyours/

IN THE News

July 29, 2009, Tompkins County Legislature, Briannea Freedline Recognized as Distinguished Youth
2009-2010, United Way of Tompkins County,  Focus On Community Understanding Service (FOCUS)
April 22, 2006, Dryden Democrats, National Youth Service Day in Etna<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->

Last Updated: May 17, 2012