Enfield Harvest Fest 2019
Part of the Obstacle Course at the RYS Summer Olympics
Dryden & Enfield youth relax after a hike with Rural Youth Services
Vegetable gardening at DeWitt with the JYC program
Rural Youth Services
Youth who live in the communities of Ithaca, Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Freeville, Groton, Lansing, Newfield, Trumansburg and Ulysses can enroll in free or low-cost programs offered through Rural Youth Services (RYS). Since 1995, Rural Youth Services (RYS) has provided a place to try new things and to belong by offering engaging activities after school and throughout the summer. Programs are free or low cost to participants.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws.
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Contact
Shelley Lester
Rural Youth Services Coordinator
sjl44@cornell.edu
(607) 272-2292 ext. 141
Last updated April 18, 2025
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-
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, June 5
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM -
Professional Development Training - PS: It Works! Strengths Based Communication Skills
Monday, June 16
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM -
Professional Development Training - PS: It Works! Strengths Based Communication Skills
Tuesday, June 17
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM -
CLOSED for Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM -
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, July 3
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
RYS Coordinators
Shelley Lester
Rural Youth Services Coordinator
sjl44@cornell.edu
Athena Steinkraus
Rural Youth Services Assistant Coordinator
ahs38@cornell.edu
Cool Quotes
"Leaders and staff of youth development programs create an atmosphere of hope.The positive, youth-centered atmosphere conveys the adult’s belief in youth as resources to be developed rather than problems to be managed."
- Jodie Roth, Ph.D.
"Two decades of youth development research has found that "problem free is not fully prepared" emphasizing that youth programming goals must focus on adding support to the natural developmental process."
- Karen Pittman, Merita Irby
& Thaddeus Gerber
"Needs of youth cannot be met by one program alone. We need diversity of choices for all youth"
- Amy Rand, former CCE-Tompkins Evaluation Specialist