This crazy, cold winter that has most of us feeling cabin fever has not dampened the spirit of the Tusten Youth Commission. It started the year in January with two trips, first to the movies, and then a swimming trip to Woodloch Springs. Imagine what a treat it would have been when you were a child to be able to go swimming in the middle of winter. Most of us probably remember winter activities that took us outside: building a snowman, ice skating, sleigh riding, etc.

Don’t worry; our Tusten Youth did not miss out on these normal winter activities—in fact they did one better. In February, the children, along with their parents, made a trip to Crystal Cabin in Lakeville, PA. This trip combined fun and education with an ice slide, a Nemo Scavenger Hunt and a tour through the ice factory. Now that’s making the best of the winter!

The Tusten Youth Commission was created by the town board in 1985 with the purpose to promote and encourage youth participation in activities and recreation, and to recommend to the town board improvement in youth-related activities, etc. Now, 20 years later, the town board continues to support the Tusten Youth Commission with our tax dollars, $5,000 for 2015. The board of the Youth Commission is careful to arrange activities for Tusten children of all ages. The tax-dollar funding is used for event admission fees and bus travel (when necessary) for Tusten children only. Parents and non-Tusten youth are charged a nominal fee.

Upcoming events for 2015 planned thus far include an Easter party/egg hunt on Sunday, March 29; a trip to the American Museum of Natural History on Saturday, May 2; and an overnight trip to Camel Back Mountain Indoor Water Park in late October. Those wishing to attend any of these events need only to contact one of the Tusten Youth Commission board members, Doreen Wyss, Crystal Weston, Joselyn Strumpfler, Vanessa Reeves, Amy Lohmann and others.

Thank you, Tusten Youth Commission, for making memories for the children of our town.