Cornell Cooperative Extension

Youth & Family

Albany County Government Intern Program for
High School Students

This school year long program is an opportunity available to high school juniors and seniors living and attending schools in Albany County. Students are matched with local government officials to discover first hand how government works. Guest speakers, independent projects, seminars, legislative meetings, and field trips throughout the school year provide additional information. Students successfully completing the government intern program receive academic credit and some schools award (12th grade) a “Participation in Government” credit.

High school students or anyone interested in the government intern program should contact Nancy Lerner at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521.

Click here for brochure and application

Mentors & Moms

Mentors & Moms (M & M) is a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Albany County. Teens are matched with a mentor from the community who maintain weekly contact with the girls. In addition to phone contact, mentors and mentees spend time together in the community accessing services, shopping, and engaging in recreational activities. The best part is just being friends.

Each month, program participants also attend a Community Gathering for social and educational events. Educational programs cover a range of topics, including healthy relationships, nutrition, parenting, budgeting, and community resources. Social programs provide us with a time to just have fun and celebrate special events.

M&M is open to young moms up to the age of 21 who have a desire to gain the support and friendship of a mentor. Mentors must be 21 years of age and have a desire to commit to at least a one year relationship. They are required to possess a driver license, have transportation, attend an initial training and have a background check.

4-H Summer Scene

***NOTE CHANGE to a Five Week Camp this year***

4-H Summer Scene is a 5 week long day camp in the city of Albany during July and August. The camp will be conducted at Ridgefield Park on Ridgefield Street in Albany. Camp meets daily from 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10 am - 1 pm on Fridays. Campers participate in a variety of programs such as arts/crafts, recreational games, fitness, nutrition, nature studies, character educations and drama. Visiting programs provide additional opportunities such as golf, tennis, bicycle safety, substance abuse and self-esteem awareness.

Camp is open to youth 7-12 years of age at the cost of $35/week (family discounts and scholarships available). Pre-registration is required and enrollment is limited. USDA free lunches are served daily. In addition to campers, summer scene employs 20 junior counselors and 20 senior counselors each year through the City of Albany Summer Youth Employment Program. Junior Counselors have the opportunity to gain employment skills and work towards becoming future Senior Counselors.

The focus of the 2011 summer day camp is “Footprints to the Future” - environmental awareness for youth. Youth will gain knowledge about the importance of Green Living (recycling, energy conservation, etc.) and work towards a goal of shrinking their environmental footprint. Counselors will also participate in a job readiness program to assist them in skill building and preparing for future employment.

Click here for the 2011 application

4-H Summer Scene Week 5 Registration Form

Click here for Summer Scene Scholarship information

Strengthening Families Program (SFP)

A program for parents, caregivers and their youth, ages 10 – 14. The Strengthening Families Program has seven sessions that are designed to help: 1) parents build on their strengths in showing love and setting limits; 2) youth develop skills in handling peer pressure and building a positive future; 3) families grow together. The sessions focus on parents and youth separately for the first hour and then brings caregivers and youth together as a family the second hour. Some comments from parents who have attended STP: “Outstanding! Has been very helpful to us as a family unit.” “I wish I could have attended when my two older kids were this age. We benefited very much.” “I liked listening to what has worked with other families.”

Contact Mary Jane Rissacher at 518-765-3500, Ext. 546 for details or msr16@cornell.edu

ACT – Parents Raising Safe Kids

Parents/Caregivers - Early violence prevention can be a part of a community’s efforts to prevent violence, and educate parents and adults to create safe and nurturing environments for children in their care. This program is valuable for parents, preschool teachers, day care providers, and before and after-school caregivers.





	Youth & Family Albany County Government Intern Program for High School Students This school year long program is an opportunity available to high school juniors and seniors living and attending schools in Albany County. Students are matched with local government officials to discover first hand how government works. Guest speakers, independent projects, seminars, legislative meetings, and field trips throughout the school year provide additional information. Students successfully completing the government intern program receive academic credit and some schools award (12th grade) a “Participation in Government” credit. High school students or anyone interested in the government intern program should contact Nancy Lerner at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521. Click here for brochure and application Mentors & Moms Mentors & Moms (M & M) is a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Albany County. Teens are matched with a mentor from the community who maintain weekly contact with the girls. In addition to phone contact, mentors and mentees spend time together in the community accessing services, shopping, and engaging in recreational activities. The best part is just being friends. Each month, program participants also attend a Community Gathering for social and educational events. Educational programs cover a range of topics, including healthy relationships, nutrition, parenting, budgeting, and community resources. Social programs provide us with a time to just have fun and celebrate special events. M&M is open to young moms up to the age of 21 who have a desire to gain the support and friendship of a mentor. Mentors must be 21 years of age and have a desire to commit to at least a one year relationship. They are required to possess a driver license, have transportation, attend an initial training and have a background check. 4-H Summer Scene *NOTE CHANGE to a Five Week Camp this year* 4-H Summer Scene is a 5 week long day camp in the city of Albany during July and August. The camp will be conducted at Ridgefield Park on Ridgefield Street in Albany. Camp meets daily from 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10 am - 1 pm on Fridays. Campers participate in a variety of programs such as arts/crafts, recreational games, fitness, nutrition, nature studies, character educations and drama. Visiting programs provide additional opportunities such as golf, tennis, bicycle safety, substance abuse and self-esteem awareness. Camp is open to youth 7-12 years of age at the cost of $35/week (family discounts and scholarships available). Pre-registration is required and enrollment is limited. USDA free lunches are served daily. In addition to campers, summer scene employs 20 junior counselors and 20 senior counselors each year through the City of Albany Summer Youth Employment Program. Junior Counselors have the opportunity to gain employment skills and work towards becoming future Senior Counselors. The focus of the 2011 summer day camp is “Footprints to the Future” - environmental awareness for youth. Youth will gain knowledge about the importance of Green Living (recycling, energy conservation, etc.) and work towards a goal of shrinking their environmental footprint. Counselors will also participate in a job readiness program to assist them in skill building and preparing for future employment. Click here for the 2011 application 4-H Summer Scene Week 5 Registration Form Click here for Summer Scene Scholarship information Strengthening Families Program (SFP) A program for parents, caregivers and their youth, ages 10 – 14. The Strengthening Families Program has seven sessions that are designed to help: 1) parents build on their strengths in showing love and setting limits; 2) youth develop skills in handling peer pressure and building a positive future; 3) families grow together. The sessions focus on parents and youth separately for the first hour and then brings caregivers and youth together as a family the second hour. Some comments from parents who have attended STP: “Outstanding! Has been very helpful to us as a family unit.” “I wish I could have attended when my two older kids were this age. We benefited very much.” “I liked listening to what has worked with other families.” Contact Mary Jane Rissacher at 518-765-3500, Ext. 546 for details or msr16@cornell.edu ACT – Parents Raising Safe Kids Parents/Caregivers - Early violence prevention can be a part of a community’s efforts to prevent violence, and educate parents and adults to create safe and nurturing environments for children in their care. This program is valuable for parents, preschool teachers, day care providers, and before and after-school caregivers.