In this issue

• Frozen MCCers Forge Not So Frigid Friendships
• Emergency Response in Florida and Missouri
• Chili Good Times at the Youth Rendez-vous
• Apply to MCC's Summer Youth Program
  
• Summer MCCer Voices Support at Youth Rally

MCC’s 2007 Young Adult Program began its term of service in the sub-zero temperatures of late January in Annandale, MN. Both four-day orientations for crew leaders and members were hosted at the warmly accommodating Camp Friendship on Clearwater Lake. As the temperature dropped further into the negatives, MCC’s positive spirit and optimism rose to the challenge.

The new members received trainings about the history of MCC, its structure, their benefits as corpsmembers, and the exciting year ahead. A highlight of the orientation was charismatic keynote speaker, Tom Anderson, former director of Warner Nature Center, who shared his rich career experience as an environmental educator and proved to be a true source of inspiration. All the while, statewide crews became acquainted with one another and began to build MCC community. During off-time, members kept warm by the fireplace and got to know each other over games and activities in the cabins and rec rooms of Camp Friendship. Card games, foosball matches, and basketball were frequent past-times while conversations blossomed from common ground.

While the winter was in full-swing and settled into its chilly routine, a fresh-faced MCC challenged the weather with a heated force that promises to sustain through all four seasons. Combining exceptional education and encouragement, MCC staff coordinated a comprehensive introduction to what is guaranteed to be a prolific and fulfilling year.

A special thanks to Camp Friendship and all of our guest speakers: Tom Anderson, Conservation Officer Julie Olson,  MN DNR Trainer Erika Tierney, Defensive Driving Instructor Wayne Rebischke, Team Building Facilitator Ivan Bartha, and Aerie Backcountry Medicine.

Camp Friendship is operated by Friendship Ventures. Friendship Ventures is a non-profit agency that creates unique educational, recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages with mental and physical developmental disabilities. Friendship Ventures also offers conference and retreat services and professional team-building programs to the communities they serve.

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Storms hit Lake County in north-central Florida early in the morning of February 2nd, damaging hundreds of houses and leaving more than 10,000 residents without power. Ten MCC corpsmembers deployed to Florida on Saturday, February 10th to assist in the tornado relief effort. During the one month stint, Corpsmembers removed debris, sawed hazard trees, blue roofed, operated a phone bank, and provided camp support. MCC Corpsmembers worked in cooperation with other AmeriCorps groups and volunteer organizations.

Ten MCC corpsmembers departed for Missouri on Tuesday, February 13th to assist with recovery efforts following the ice storms. During this two week deployment, corpsmembers removed hazard trees and debris in Marshfield and Lebanon. Corpsmembers worked to restore the private property of landowners for whom it would have proved to be a great challenge.

The communities in Florida and Missouri were immensely grateful for the hard work and great attitudes of our MCC corpsmembers!

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The Summer Youth Program held the first annual Youth Rendezvous on Saturday, February 17th. The event was held for youth and staff from the 2006 Summer. Each participant was encouraged to bring a guest to share some of the MCC experience with them. Over forty people were in attendance. There was a great lunch featuring Cincinnati Chili, a slideshow from last summer, games, a tour of the facility, and time to reconnect with old friends.

The Youth Rendezvous was held at Wilderness Inquiry headquarters in Minneapolis. Wilderness Inquiry is a non-profit that provides outdoor opportunities to individuals with disabilities. We would like to thank all who contributed to the success of this event: Wilderness Inquiry, Arlington Presbyterian Church, MCC Staff, Board Member Mike Nevala, and all the youth and summer staff in attendance. It was a most FLUBERANT day!

I know that some of you have been missing your MCC poetry fix, so here you are:

The day brought together many old and new friends,
I think most of the new one’s were Ben’s.  (He brought five.)
The air was full of MCC Spirit,
And Cincinnati Chili we didn’t fear it!
Slideshow photos brought forth a big “Yee-Haw!!”
The eyes on newcomers were as big as you ever saw.
The partnerships were great,
And FLUBERANCE we did elate.
The day was so SUPERB,
It is tough to capture in this little blurb!

Article and poem contributed by Eric Antonson

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Have the best summer of your life at MCC. Application deadlines are approaching. Don't let this opportunity go by!

The Summer Youth Program is seeking Staff and Youth Participants for the 2007 season. The 8-week residential program employs youth ages 15-18 from across Minnesota to complete conservation-based work. For more information contact Eric Anotonson at (651) 209-9900 x 27 or email eric.antonson@conservationcorps.org.

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Not even a snowstorm was going to stop Sara Wuorinen from having her voice heard at the State legislature on March 2nd. Wuorinen, a 17-year-old student from Rush City High School and two year corpsmember of the Summer Youth Program, made the trek to the Capitol to meet with Senator Rick Olseen (Fridley) and Representative Jeremy Kalin (Lindstrom). Sara joined others from around the state as a part of the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota’s “Rally for Youth Day”.

Sara used the opportunity to share with her legislators how much she cares about MCC and why it has meant so much to her, “I care a lot about conservation but mostly I love the people, it’s all about the people!” Prior to meeting with her legislators, Sara testified in front of the Senate Environment Committee. “I was really nervous at first speaking to Senators, especially when I had to say Madam Chair.” MCC would like to thank Sara for taking the time to share her experience with her legislators and for doing such a great job.

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