Youth Commission reviews event plans, debriefs October Fest and notes library delay

At a recent Youth Commission meeting, commissioners and committee members reviewed subcommittee work plans for upcoming teen outreach events, debriefed October Fest, and discussed next steps after the library grand opening was postponed.

Committee members leading the team wellness committee described outreach plans to local businesses to secure snacks, small prizes and gift-card donations, and outlined a game-day format in which individual games feed into a final raffle. One committee member said the subcommittee will produce two sets of flyers: a business pitch version and a public-facing version after partnerships are finalized, and that tax-deduction forms could help encourage business donations.

Lauren reported that she had contacted Molly Gallatin, who “runs the class for teens at the rowhouse,” and that Gallatin said she would likely support the event by bringing rowing machines for attendees and parents to try. A participant offered to reach out to Crust Deli’s owner about sponsorship; past outreach yielded small tastable sandwiches in lieu of full meals.

The teen-community subcommittee outlined plans to participate in a “Get to Know Campbell” event planned around Valentine’s Day at the community center. The group intends to invite representatives from the library, lifeguards and summer camps to staff booths promoting teen job and program opportunities, supplementing those displays with games such as local-history trivia and craft stations.

The teen life-skills subcommittee described a hands-on program of three simple recipes taught across roughly 90 minutes (about three 30-minute blocks) to teach basic kitchen and knife skills, along with passive Instagram “slides” to reinforce life-skills tips.

Commissioners discussed food logistics for event day and whether commission funds could be used as a backup to purchase pizza if sponsorship does not provide lunch-sized items. One speaker said that Crust Deli previously provided small samples and could be asked again to sponsor smaller bites rather than full meals.

During an event debrief, multiple commissioners described their roles at October Fest — staffing water stations, manning a 5K turnaround point, and helping hand out awards — and characterized the turnout and community response as positive. One participant estimated attendance at “a little bit over 700 people.”

Commissioners noted the library grand opening that had been on the commission’s work plan has been postponed indefinitely; members said the delay gives them additional time to plan and offer support when a new date is announced.

In new business, the commission received an invitation from the co-founder of the California Association of Youth Commissions to join a free virtual fall youth summit on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is optional and virtual; commissioners were told an RSVP link would be circulated.

The commission set a subcommittee meeting for Nov. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in room M49 (by the schools) and adjourned the meeting.

The meeting did not record any formal motions or binding votes beyond approval of prior minutes; next steps consist of follow-up outreach to potential sponsors, finalizing flyers and confirming event placement and logistics with city contacts.