On the evening of December 16th, I watched the Barnard Nature Center at West River Memorial Park bubble with excitement!  Over 30 parents, friends and community members gathered to hear what the Solar Youth participants accomplished this Fall season at our Public Education Forum (PEF).  For the last 10 weeks, our teams of youth from all around the city of New Haven have been exploring their environment and community, engaging in hands-on lessons and activities, hiking the local parks, and building skills to act as stewards to their environment. 

As I watched the youth pile in to the room, smiles and laughter were abundant!  The PEF is a time for them to finally teach and share what they accomplished during their Community Service Action Projects, or C-SAPs, to their friends and families.  Through songs, skits, raps, speeches and displays, our youth ages 4 to 18 planned and led several C-SAPs around the city: a community fun day/clean up in Westville Manor; an anti-pollution campaign and trash clean up at Barnard School; a food and clothing drive and anti-litter campaign at John S. Martinez School; and a park maintenance fundraiser at Truman School.  What amazing accomplishments!

After an exciting and successful season, we rewarded ourselves and our youth by celebrating again on Saturday afternoon at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford.  What an amazing place to wrap up the Fall!  Congratulations to all of our youth, can't wait to see you in the Spring!