Stewards of Syracuse

• Images from the Stewards of Syracuse Summer programs:
  • SOS Elmwood
  • SOS Montezuma Audubon Center
  • SOS Onondaga Lake
  • SOS Schiller Park
  • SOS Webster Pond

Stewards of Syracuse (SOS) provides a four-week summer program for about 25 youth (14-15 yr olds) that combines education & employment opportunities into an exciting and unique form of experiential learning. ESF SCIENCE, in partnership with CNY Works and Syracuse City Parks & Recreation, aims to inspire these youth to appreciate nature and its influence in their daily lives. This is accomplished by exploring urban ecology through hands-on, environmental conservation stewardship programs specifically designed to enhance the participant’s awareness and appreciation of natural resources in the urban environment.

In addition, these programs engage the youth in the improvement and maintenance of their communities, including park clean-ups, water quality assessment, trail building, and planting rain gardens. Service projects in Syracuse City parks and field trips to the Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Lake County Park, and SUNY ESF provide fun opportunities to see the practical applications of what they are learning. Friendly competitions with “fabulous prizes,” swimming, and fishing are also vital components of Stewards of Syracuse.

Participants in this program can expect to acquire valuable skills and experiences that will serve them well in future work endeavors. Skills such as communication, leadership, working in group settings, initiative, and networking are emphasized heavily through the Stewards of Syracuse. Youth will also have an opportunity to safely handle tools and scientific equipment that they have had little previous experience with. Most importantly, youth will make new friends, learn about themselves and nature, and have fun!