The October Focus on Youth Initiative meeting on October 1 at the Crawford Government Center saw a room full of interested parties gather to discuss possibilities for the community's youngsters. Because of a family matter, Chief McCann could not be present, so Dave Smith of R.J. Smith Realty stepped up to run the show.

Smith began by talking about Sir Kenneth Robinson's 2001 book, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative (Wiley-Capstone).

Smith remarked that he found three themes in the book that resonated with him: how extreme human creativity could be, and how technology is helping to expand it; the fact that we don't know where technology is going, and that kids in school today will be retiring in 2070; and the fact that the capacity of today's youth to process information is better than that of previous generations.

Moreover, academic ability is no longer the sole arbiter of intelligence. This matters, Smith points out, because we have many highly talented, brilliant people who think they're not because we're basing our education on outdated ideas.

Smith added, "Picasso once said, 'all kids are born as artists…the trick is to stay an artist as you grow up,' which I think is a great line."

In Smith's view, the FYI Program is a link to improving real-world performance for kids. "FYI is just a group of people coming together four times a year, but what we do is open lines of communication and get information out there."

Following Smith's remarks there were reports from a number of people in the room.

Domanie Ragni presented a report on the Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp. The number of kids attending the camp as up to 210, from 175 the previous year. New activities like drama and yoga were a "huge hit." Post-camp surveys were also introduced to get feedback from kids and parents.

Several awards were presented by Lieutenant Blasko of Town of Crawford Police Department, and Dave Smith. The first went to Carol Chichester — Director of the Orange County Youth Bureau (aka "the Boss").

Others were given to Bill Bassett, former Superintendant of Schools for the Pine Bush School District for his service in stepping up as Interim Superintendant last winter, and to Officer Robin Meier of the Town of Crawford Police in recognition of her outstanding work on the Law and Leadership Program at Pine Bush High School, as well as Domanie Ragnie, for her work in the Boys and Girls Club of Pine Bush.

Moises Colon reported on the work of the Teen Outreach Program. Following losses last year, the group is now the youngest group the program has had. They are working on several programs including a bullying program that they hope to take into the classrooms soon. After that, the next program will be focused on Sexual Harassment. Then they will move on to a diversity program, partnering with the MDC club at the high school.

Officer Meier reported on the Law and Leadership program. High School Principal Aaron Hopmayor has written a grant proposal for $4,000 to New York State School Board Association to help cover the costs of the program. This is to keep the cost of the program to the kids as low as possible. This year the cost went up to $80. Sheri Herbert of the Pine Bush Chamber of Commerce spoke of upcoming events and reported that the chamber now had one hundred members. This Saturday, October 11, the Pumpkin Festival will be held, and there will be an expanded Business Expo, too.

Andrew Starke, Eagle Scout Candidate from Pine Bush Troop 37, spoke about his Eagle Scout project, which is to replace the fence in front of the Infant Savior Preschool and the Kellner House on Route 302, leading into Pine Bush.

John Boyle Principal of Crispell Middle School concluded, making a presentation concerning the Strengthening Families Program.

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