Madison County Youth Leadership conference held in Caz

Young people from across Madison County headed to the Hampton Inn in Cazenovia recently for the Madison County Youth Leadership Conference. BRiDGES, a prevention agency in Madison County, hosted the day for middle and high school students to come together and learn leadership skills, build connections, and to plan what activities their club will host during the 23-24 school year.

Zonta, F.O.R. (Friends of Rachel), Teens for a Better World, and SADD were among the school-based clubs represented. The conference included team building activities, a presentation on leadership, and the highlight of the conference was interactive activity kits put together by BRiDGES’ staff. Several programs offered toolkits of prevention-based activities including kits for bullying prevention month, red ribbon week, and mental health awareness month. Instructions for the activity and all the materials required were laid out at tables so students could experience what it would be like to host this activity at school. Students collaborated on a large poster writing their “why” for not using substances, colored in an extra-large coloring sheet for stress relief, used chalk to write prevention focused messages on chalk- board paper laid out to resemble a sidewalk, and planted red tulips. These interactive kits will be provided at no cost to participating schools.

Reality Check Coordinator Val Webb, shared two activities at the conference but a favorite was cups in the fence.

“We brought a 6-foot fence right to the hotel to let students practice creating an image,” she said. “I recommend they choose a statistic and write that number in the fence using colored cups. They can have people guess what the number means and then reveal it when they’re ready. Using a fence that is high visibility, like one you see when entering school, can help involve parents and community members because they will also want to find out what it means. We will provide a banner schools can place to explain the activity. This is a fun, easy way to bring awareness to the issue of tobacco marketing which is the focus of Reality Check. Reality Check is a youth led movement aiming to reduce youth exposure to tobacco marketing in stores and on screen.”

Reality Check is for teens ages 12-18. Reality Check was just one of the programs represented at the conference.

There were also staff who oversee LGBTQIA programming, prevention staff who provide program-

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“Having all of these stu dents together in one room to share how they are mak ing change in their commu

If you live in Madison County, your local Boy Scout Troops and Packs are benefiting from support services, character development programming and leadership training funded by donations to The Leatherstocking Council.

On average, our Eagle Scouts alone (4% of all Scouts) are providing 190 community service hours to more than sixty other local nonprofit organizations each year!

If you would like to help recruit or support more Scouts in Madison County, please text the word LOCALSCOUTS to (844) 615-4269. LeatherstockingCouncil.org nities is so wonderful. These young people are acting as a catalyst for healthier communities and they’re having fun while doing so,” shared Julie Hengst, BRiDGES prevention education specialist and workplace wellness trainer. “These young people are all so creative and powerful. I can’t wait to watch them implement their activities next year.” vention agency. For the past 35 years, BRiDGES has been a leader in providing advocacy, resources, and services to our community, the workforce, families, and individuals through the delivery of prevention and intervention programs that promote change, strengthen families, and build healthy communities. BRiDGES’ services have continued to evolve over time. For more information on all of our bridgescoun-

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Watch the heat

This year spring seemed to take its time settling into Central New York.

In the early month of April and May we saw temperatures and conditions seesaw from nice days to what at least felt like freezing temperatures. And with a few days of poor conditions where the sun and sky were blocked out with smoke from the wildfires in Canada, it felt like spring and summer might never really arrive.

The past week we saw temperatures begin to climb, even if mixed with some rain storm conditions and the forecast ahead looks more like the summer conditions we usually associate with June and July.

Of course as the old saying about Central New York weather goes, if you don’t like it, give it a minute and it just may change.

But it is likely there will be plenty of more warm days in the next few months and with that in mind there are some things everyone should be mindful of for their own health and safety as well as those around them.

According to the American Heart Association, as the temperature rises, so can your risk for suffering health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Doctors recommend using good judgment when it comes to activities outside in the heat, and that you stay hydrated.

The Heart Association recommends that during hot days everyone keep a few guidelines in mind.

According to the Heart Association it is best to avoid the outdoors in the early afternoon, about noon to 3 p.m., because the sun is usually at its strongest, putting you at higher risk for heat-related illnesses.

Dressing for the heat is also important.

According to the Heart Association most people probably sweat the most in their shoes, so choose well-ventilated shoes and look for socks that repel perspiration. Foot powders and antiperspirants can also help with sweat.

It is also recommended that people wear lightweight, light-colored clothing in breathable fabrics such as cotton, or a newer fabric that repels sweat. Add a hat and/or sunglasses. Before you get started, apply a water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 15, and reapply it every two hours.

Staying hydrated is also vitally important.

It is recommended that people drink a few cups of water before, during and after exercise and void caffeinated or alcoholic beverages which can lead to dehydration.

If you are outside, take regular breaks and find a shady or cool place to rest and rehydrate if possible.

If you do have heart or other medical concerns, follow your doctor’s recommendations.

It is also important to know the signs of when you are reaching a point of being too hot.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include, headaches, heavy sweating, cold, moist skin, dizziness or fainting (syncope), a weak and rapid pulse, muscle cramps, fast, shallow breathing and nausea, vomiting or both.

If you experience these symptoms, move to a cooler place, stop exercising and cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water and rehydrating. You may need to seek medical attention.

Heat stroke includes symptoms like warm, dry skin with no sweating, strong and rapid pulse, confusion and/or unconsciousness, high fever, throbbing headaches and nausea, vomiting or both.

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

For more information, tips and advice on how to take care of your heart, visit heart.org.

And if you are traveling, keep in mind children, older individuals and pets that may be in the vehicle with you.

If possible it is best to leave pets at home.

As temperatures can soar in a parked car, even with the windows open or tinted windows, it is best to leave anyone who might not want to or be able to leave the car at home as well for their own safety.