Cody Englander
Staff Writer
The Youth Activities Center celebrates its 40th anniversary, this weekend, having had the same director at the helm the whole time.
“I feel very comfortable here, like I’ve been here for a long time,” YAC Director Al Dibs said in a 1986 article from The Chautauquan Daily.
The YAC’s birthday will be celebrated directly after the Old First Night Run/Walk at 10 a.m. at the YAC, part of NOW Generation’s annual SummerFest. The center, located near Boys’ and Girls’ Club, has been a place for kids to spend time and snack since its inception.
According to a 1986 article from the Daily, the YAC received renovations before the 1986 season began, moving from near Miller Bell Tower to the Heinz Beach area. Dibs reflected on what has kept him returning since his first season.
“There was a night during my first year here. I was on the deck of my apartment, listening to the first group of kids that were coming here, and realized just how special these Chautauqua kids really were,” Dibs said. “That was very encouraging and was definitely something that encouraged me to keep coming back.”
The YAC, which was originally a dance studio, has received updates here and there over the years.
“Twenty years ago, they gutted the entire building. There’s not an original floor or ceiling in this place of all the new stuff,” Dibs said. “This has gone through three renovations.”
Over the years, many people have played a crucial role in making the YAC thrive. One of those people was Jack Voelker, who served at Chautauqua in various capacities for 27 years and retired at the end of the 2014 season.
“He was easy to work for,” Greg Prechtl, Boys’ and Girls’ Club director, told the Daily in 2014. “Everybody who worked for Jack in youth and recreation worked at the highest level because nobody wanted to disappoint him. He was that kind of leader.”
Those who worked alongside Voelker appreciated his commitment to the community and his thoughtfulness in programming.
“Jack Voelker is one of the most insightful, creative and compassionate leaders Chautauqua has ever seen,” said Jen Flanagan, former director of programming at Club, in 2014. “He brought Club into the 21st century, keeping the traditions alive but also making changes to reflect the times for the betterment of Club and youth services in general.”
While there have been changes to both staff and the building, not much has changed — except for the price of YAC food.
In a Daily article commemorating the YAC’s 10th birthday, Dibs boasted about the enlarged snack bar and new lounge area, exclusively for kids 15 and older. In 1995, students could pay a dime for Flavor-Ice, which Dibs said he had a delivery of 5,400 in one weekend.
“We try to keep everything ‘kid-priced,’ ” Dibs said in 1995. “We still charge 75 cents for a hot dog (and) 80 cents for a grilled cheese sandwich.”
As the YAC celebrated its 20th anniversary, Voelker couldn’t help but comment how crucial Dibs’ role is at the lakeside locale.
“Al is the YAC,” Voelker said. “… He doesn’t lose his enthusiasm for working with young people in the summer.”
Director of Community Education & Youth Programs Alyssa Porter reflected on Dibs celebrating his 40th year as YAC director.
“I would like Al Dibs to be here forever,” Porter said. “… He has created a vision that can be timeless.”
Dibs certainly doesn’t want to leave anytime soon.
“It’s not so much to me the dollars and cents as it is the people that are here having a good time,” Dibs said. “That’s always been an important thing. I say to my staff, ‘If there are 10 kids here, make sure those 10 kids have the best time they can have.’ ”
It continues to be a hub where kids can comfortably spend their time.
“The YAC is a really special place,” said Porter. “It’s such an important part of kids’ childhoods, where they’re developing lifelong friendships. It’s a place that really fosters that.”
