Minutes from the April 6, 2000 ICO Steering Meeting
Present: Melinda Tuhus, Jessica Rostow, Scott Lutz, Christin Arnini, Chuck Sturtevant, Kent Lyle

Upcoming Trips:
Apr. 8 (Sat.) - Highville Mustard Seed Charter School Group is planning to hike the Great Hill in Haddam. Leader: Jessica Rostow (776-3906, jessica.rostow@yale.edu)

Apr. 30 (Sun.) - Cooperative High School Group is going hiking on the Appalachian Trail near Cornwall and investigate a local bog. Leader: Christin Arnini (393-0484, cevea@yahoo.com)

Past Trips:
Apr. 1 (Sat.) - Neighborhood Group went to MDC Reservoir #6 (Talcott Mountain) and the CT Science Center. 12 kids went along, including a wide range of ages. There were some behavior issues, but everyone had fun. The hike ended just in time to go to the Center and see the live Bird of Prey demonstration. Leader: Melinda Tuhus.

Mar. 11 (Sat.) - Highville Mustard Seed Charter School Group went to the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. The girl scouts were having a Science Day, which added more interesting exhibits to the trip. Things went well until the power went out. Leader: Jessica Rostow.

Feb. 5-6 (Fri.-Sat.) - Cooperative High School Group went snowshoeing in Vermont with a group from a local Vermont high school. The second day included a difficult hike up Hunger Mountain. Some kids were more seasoned for the snowshoe mountain hike than others, but it was a positive experience for everyone. Leader: Christin Arnini.

Junior Leader Development Junior Leadership Development:

Heather Gilbert reported that the first meeting took place at East Rock Ranger Station on March 18, including 6 kids from all groups. They spent much of the time brainstorming about what they liked doing outside, then what they liked about ICO, what kinds of trips they liked the best., and what kinds of leadership tasks they would like to do on trips. Some of these tasks included trip preparation, assisting the younger kids, and making hands-on lessons during trips. The next meeting will take place on April 15 at the East Rock Ranger Station again, and a hike in East Rock Park will follow. Heather also mentioned the idea of having the kids meet with the adult volunteers (especially trip leaders) to present their plan, tentatively on Thursday, June 15. Contact: Heather Gilbert (931-0811, or Heather by email)

Grant Activity : * Maureen Taylor, a volunteer who has done fundraising for ICO in the past, has volunteered to write some grants during this April, including the quarterly Ronald McDonald grant. * ICO has been awarded a $500 grant from the Sierra Club. * There is one nominee for the Harry Duren Scholarship, which takes a youth participant for a 6-9 day summer trip in the region. She is Vanessa Vasquez from the Neighborhood Group, nominated by Melinda.

Sister City Project :
The New Haven Sister City Program is planning an environmental project of planting fruit trees locally to benefit people in Nicaragua, who have been devastated by Hurricane Mitch. A representative from the project has approached Melinda to see whether ICO would be interested in participating in this project. Contact: Melinda Tuhus (287-9811, or Melinda by email

April 27 Games Meeting:
Apr. 27 (Thurs.) - Melinda mentioned the idea of having a games night / quarterly meeting. The meeting would focus on games leaders could play with youth participants on an outing. The idea was accepted by all. The meeting will be at the United Church Parish House, 7-9pm. Refreshments included. Note: This replaces the proposed rock climbing volunteer activity, which was called off due to complications. Contact: Melinda Tuhus (287-9811, or by email

Etc. . .

* Melinda had a CT AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) activity booklet that Jessica will make copies of for youth participants. It is aimed at kids, and contains outdoor tips, games, and interesting facts.
* Melinda passed out copies of the ICO National Newsletter. The newsletter comes out every 2 months and gives us the latest word from the National ICO office, as well as news about other ICO chapters across the country.
* Melinda is considering breaking the Neighborhood Group into two groups of older and younger kids. These would be combined with the children from the Housing Authority contact described in the March 2 minutes. The Authority contact would identify one or two young adults to become leaders for one of the groups.
* Kent will also be sending the minutes via e-mail starting this month.
UPCOMING MEETINGS

** May 4 (Thurs.) - The next Steering Committee Meeting will take place at 7:00pm at Scott Lutz's house, located at 118 Linden St., 2nd floor, New Haven. As usual, this meeting will be a potluck dinner. Contact: Scott Lutz (624-4422), or by email

** Apr. 27 (Thurs.) - The ICO games/general meeting will take place at 7:00pm at the United Church Parish House, 323 Temple Street (corner of Temple and Wall), New Haven. Contact: Melinda Tuhus (287-9811), or by email