We increased outdoor activities with paintball, moonlight hiking, beaver lake nature center walks, winter morning hikes, and having a socially distant play performed outdoors in the local park. We had a much smaller version of our annual Halloween Macabre with costumes and candy but no live music due to covid-19. We were also able to have our annual Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Celebration where we fed 24 different people a Thanksgiving meal. We had several open mic nights (which were always popular). Our annual Holiday open mic night had a full house and 18 performers!! Everyone was able to enjoy Christmas cookies as we were still able to have our Christmas cookie baking class the week prior where we baked and decorated 100 cookies!
Our open mic nights have offered a platform for young people to express themselves per usual Town Shop tradition, but this past year it has meant more to have a voice and share trials and tribulations as well as successes and hopes for the future. One teen in particular shared at an open mic night that this had been the best year of his life because of the Town Shop. When I said “Very funny…” he responded with, “No, you really have no idea how much I enjoyed this year with all of you.” Reflecting on our time since “shut down,” I tend to agree. You really put things in perspective when you go without them or think they are in jeopardy. Many teens turned to us. So grateful we were able to answer.
I also think it is worth mentioning that this past year we have had more past participants seek us out to offer up skills and/or donations to the program. I think this speaks to the times we are in (difficult times have brought out the best of the program as well as its current and past participants). Family members of current participants have also joined in the generosity and made tough times much easier for the program.
The Town of Camillus has put faith in us to follow protocols and a higher level of standards, and we are doing our very best to keep everyone safe.