David R. Roefaro, Mayor

City of Utica, New York

                        It's all about young people

June 11, 2008 (Utica, NY) –

Whether it's meeting up in a park with your  neighborhood friends

or whether it's sports your interested in, Mayor David Roefaro wants youth

to know that this summer is all about them.

Since Roefaro took office in January, he's been a staunch supporter of youth

in the city. He's proud of his college town partnerships that have put college

students inside his office. In fact, he spent much of his first six months in

office working with young people. However, it's not just college kids Roefaro

is putting the focus on.

This summer, the Mayor is announcing a redesigned youth bureau program.

"This summer is all about our youth. I've spent a lot of time working

with our colleges, but I haven't forgotten local teens and younger children,"

the Mayor said. He added, "Sean Brown of the Youth Bureau and Chet

LoConti have worked hard to make this summer one of the City's best."

The Mayor has created mobile sport camps. This is a new idea, with new

benefits to Utica's youth. In the past, a child would attend a park, and

perhaps play just one sport. If the child couldn't get a ride to a different city

park during the week, they were limited to the same activities. However,

because of what Roefaro calls, "youth perspective"- this summer, all camps

with be traveling. This means that of the 12 city parks used this summer, all

12 will have traveling sport camps each day. "You've got to put yourself in

their shoes. If you can't get a ride to a camp you want to play in, what are

you supposed to do?" the Mayor asked. "That's why, this summer, we're

bringing the camps to the kids."

Sport camps will be offered in Football, Soccer, and Baseball, some with

actual professionals doing the teaching and coaching.

The Mayor also added that the City's golf, tennis, swimming,

and speed camps this summer are on target to attract more participants

than ever. He touched on the fact that these camps are all FREE.

"Many parents pay top dollar to send their children away for what

we're offering for FREE," the Mayor said.

It's important to note that aside from these traveling sport camps, the City of

Utica parks will still be offering traditional activities of the past. These include:

arts and crafts, board games, and other fun things for kids to do- things that

get them outside away from the television.

All camps will be staffed with older youth acting as counselors.

The pools have FREE swim lessons from 9-12pm beginning June 30^th

and open swim from noon to close. Pools are staffed with CPR trained

life guards.  

The Mayor also wants kids between the ages of 10 and 13 to know that The

City of Utica is the only city that is offering a Triathlon this summer. On July

10, 2008, through sponsors, The City of Utica is promoting healthy competition.

Children will begin with 2 laps of Buckley pool. They will then scooter at

Proctor Park, and finish with a .88 mile run in the park. Registration begins

now and ends June 27^th.

For more information contact our Youth Bureau at 315.223.4320

You can also contact Angelo Roefaro in the Mayor's office at 315.792.0100