Please come to our monthly meeting, this Tuesday at 7pm in the Environmental classroom at YCSP. Our main work will center on finalizing plans for the September Fest on Saturday the 25th. Things are shaping up nicely. We have two musical groups who have volunteered to perform for free, and plans for a number of fun activities. I’m attaching a draft copy of the schedule. There will probably be a lot of changes made Tuesday night, but it will give you a sense of what we’re working on. If you plan to attend, please take a minute to review the minutes from our June and July meetings so they can be approved. You’ll find them here: minutes
Our New Logo
Created by artist and FOYC treasurer Kelly Wolfe Thompson. Thanks. Looks for this on T-shirts and a redesigned website soon!
Meeting Tuesday
We’ll be meeting again this Tuesday, June 8 at 7pm. You’re welcome to come to share your ideas and help us move Yellow Creek forward. We meet in the environmental classroom at Dragonfly Pond. We’ll be talking about playground improvements and fundraising. Our treasurer and in-house artist Kelly Thompson will share with us three candidates for the new FOYC logo.
Tuesday will be an exciting day at Yellow Creek. Earlier in the day, representatives of DCNR and our parent organization, PA Parks and Forests, will be on hand to display the Gold Medal awarded our state parks by the American Academy of Park and Recreation Management. The presentation takes place at 2:30pm for those who might want to spend the afternoon at the park.
As a reminder, if you haven’t yet formally become a member, you might want to bring a check to the meeting. Or if you prefer, you can download and print the membership form off our website and mail it to
FOYC Treasurer
Yellow Creek State Park
170 Route 259 Highway
Penn Run, PA 15765-5941
Action Plan
Friends of Yellow Creek
Effective May 2010-May 2013
Introduction
The Friends of Yellow Creek formed April 2010. This formation was to provide already active volunteers at the park additional facets by which to contribute to the conservation and preservation of the park and its resources.
Friends of Yellow Creek formed as a chapter of the Pa Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). PPFF is a private, non-profit organization that works to develop resources which complement the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
This document is the Action Plan for the Friends. It is a working document to guide projects and development, and is open to be evaluated annually and reassessed. The mission and the goals were developed via electronic and in person discussions, which included the park manager and educator.
Mission Statement
Friends of Yellow Creek aims to include visitors in conserving, protecting and enhancing the natural, educational, and recreational resources of the Park.
Resources and Responsibilities
Friends of Yellow Creek
To organize and determine projects and programs that meet the mission statement and vision. To volunteer time and effort to raise funds for these purposes.
Board of Directors-
To support the Friends membership and establish policy for the group. To spearhead fundraising efforts.
Park Manager and staff-
To provide support and guidance for the group. To serve as ex officio board members. To provide cooperation or accept help with projects specific to the mission and vision.
PPFF-
To provide education, support, and guidance in the operation of a non-profit group, specific to the mission and vision. Provide financial services
Volunteers-
General park volunteers asked to assist with specific projects.
OUR STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES, opportunities and threats:
Strengths
* Diversity of background and interests of board members.
* Motivation to improve the park.
* Part of network of PPFF friends.
* Dedication to the group.
* Willingness of volunteers to give time and energy to meet goals and objectives.
* Enthusiastic attitude towards promoting the park to the public.
Weaknesses
* Time constraints of volunteers and board members.
* New organization.
* Not well known or established.
Opportunities
* Pa is focusing on outdoor recreation.
* Commitment from DCNR to support friends groups.
* Available training through PPFF and Pa Recreation and Parks Society.
Threats
* Time crunch that exists for volunteers
* Competition for resources.
Skill set of Board:
Fundraising—events and grant writing
Organized
Communication skills—writing and editing, website design, fliers, visual documents
Strategic planning
Presentation/education skills,
Project coordination and planning.
Hard worker, persistent, committed
Event planning and coordination
Specific skills-sailing, trail building, photography, botany, mapping, love of the outdoors/recreation
Marketing and promotion
Social skills
Engineer
Board experience
OUR GOALS:
1. Improve the resources at the park to attract more visitors and/or increase the value of the park.
1. Labor based
1. Enhance, mark, and expand trials for hiking, biking and cross country skiing.
2. Develop a family oriented recreation zone
3. Enhance passive recreational opportunities—handicapped, seniors
2. Monetary
1. Build a bridge over the spill way of the dam.
2. Build a pavilion
3. Upgrade playground (natural)
4. Enhance boating facilities/Bring back sailing to the park—mooring, shoreline docking, sailing
5. Kayaks for educational programming
6. disc golf
7. Expanding camping opportunities—tent camping, lean-to
2. Fundraising.
1. For Projects
2. Building and maintenance fund
3. Develop a membership program
4. Ideas for fundraising
1. Shirt sales
2. Coin operated laundry
3. Firewood
4. Donation boxes
5. Grant writing
6. Races—5K, bike, etc
7. Letter of Authorization
8. Annual event—something in September or October
9. Chances
10. Duck races
11. Great Pennsylvania Outdoor Challenge
3. Promote the use of green recreation.
1. Tout the parks accomplishments
2. Provide ideas of how folks can be green in their recreational endeavors
3. Provide education
4. Increase the visitors at the park by raising public awareness about the value of the park and the resources and activities available.
1. Develop a trail guide and registration station
2. Mark trails
3. Develop some promotional activities
4. Monitor potential threats to park.
5. Develop a webpage and utilize social media
5. Support and promote programming at the park by supporting existing groups as well as supplementing with programs where needed.
1. Docent and volunteer guides
2. Children’s programs
3. boating safety
4. Programs for seniors
5. Training–specialty
The Friends will be a membership based organization with an individual membership starting at $12 and a family membership of $15. Members will receive information, invitations, special deals. Perhaps a membership card or a window cling showing that they are a member.
Meeting – Board and Members
Would you like to become involved? Are you interested in learning more about Friends of Yellow Creek? Please come to the next FOYC meeting: Yellow Creek State Park, Environmental Classroom – Dragonfly Pond Tuesday, May 11 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm We’ll be talking about possible projects and priorities. Bring your ideas! Bring a friend!
FOYC and IUP Sailing offer Get Outdoors Sailing 101
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014 – SAILING 101
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us to explore the sport and art of sailing on Yellow Creek Lake. This two-hour session begins with a lesson on the parts of the sailboat and introduces future sailors to the basics of wind awareness, sail trim, and points of sail. Three US Sailing Certified instructors will be on hand. After this orientation, in the second hour each student will have the chance to enjoy a short sail accompanied by a experienced sailor (weather permitting).
We will wear PFDs, but to participate, sailors must be capable of swimming 50 yards in clothing and shoes. Your instructors will conduct the class with yoru safety in mind; like all outdoor activities, sailing entails certain risks. We’ll try to stay dry and capsizes are rare, but waterproof shoes and a change of clothes are recommended.
Pre-registration required. Participation is free but is limited to 12 students over the age of 10 years. To register call the Park Office at (724) 357-7913.
FOYC and the IUP Sailing Club are collaborating to offer this program.