Youth, who participate in I-in-Y programs, perform community service projects and who demonstrate good character will be rewarded with recreational, cultural and/or educational field trips. Contingent upon funding and scheduling, a variety of up to 4 trips to NYC each year will provide youth with the opportunity to experience life outside of the City of Hudson - an opportunity that would not regularly be afforded to them. Trips to venues such as the New York Stock Exchange, a Broadway musical, New York Yankee/Knicks games, Museums, and other cultural attractions will be arranged to appeal to the older age group in an effort to keep them actively engaged year round. For the younger age group, a trip to the Bronx Zoo will be organized. Each trip will accommodate between 50 and 60 youth and adults.

Four Hudson High School students who exhibit strong leadership skills were selected to participate in the West Point Military Academy’s “Leadership, Character, and Values in High School, College and Beyond” Conference on April 6, 2006. The Hudson High School has been cordially invited to attend for the past four years that the academy has been conducting the conferences. Hudson High School Social Studies teacher, Amy Scanlon, organized the trip sponsored by The Abstinence and Character Education Program in partnership with the privately funded Investments in Youth Program directed by Maria Suttmeier. LTC Dave Jones, the Values Education Officer and eight Cadet Honor and Respect Executive Staff Members conduct the conference for High School Juniors and Faculty. The intent of the conference is to stimulate discussions about important character and values with a focus on Honor, Respect, and Leadership issues that apply inside and outside of school. Each student was recognized at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 24 and presented with an official Certificate of Participation from West Point along with an Investments in Youth gear bag.

Pictured with a West Point officer are the four Hudson High students who attended the Ethics Conference at West Point Military Academy. Pictured left to right: Calvin Lewis, Uniqueka Nooks, Leah Laban-Gomez, and Milandou Badila.

On Saturday, January 21, 2006 Investments in Youth treated over 50 youth from Hudson to the Broadway musical, The Lion King. The excited group departed the Hudson Youth Center aboard a luxury Yankee Trails chartered bus, enjoyed a box lunch from Cascades (courtesy of HYC), and received a nutritious snack inside the much sought after Investments in Youth cinch sack.

The kids were mesmerized by the spectacular production. When asked what his favorite part was, Nicholas Ganey, age 12 said, “At the end when Mufasa’s image is in the air -- it looked liked a high tech computerized animation!” Aimee Muniz, age 16 said, “I love how they blended the actors and masks -- you saw them at the same time -- it was awesome!” Another youth said, “I liked Timon and Pumbaa -- they were so funny!” Others liked the music so much, they sang tunes such as “The Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” all the way home.

At least for the day, all who went took on the play’s attitude of “Hakuna Matata” -- no worries for the rest of your days. Surely this memory will last a lifetime.

Investments in Youth teamed up with the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to provide a day of fun at Yankee Stadium for 80 5th grade students and 20 adult chaperones on Sunday, June 11, 2006. The day included transportation on two luxury charted buses and a specially designed Investments in Youth/D.A.R.E. T-shirt for all. The group was recognized on the giant stadium display board.