Ithaca Summer Camp

The summer is quickly approaching, so it’s time to start getting ready for the coming months. This directory of summer camps and programs in and around our area is brought to you with the pleasure of The Ithaca Times and the Tompkins County Youth Services Department. Be aware that many towns and villages throughout the County have summer recreation activities at schools and community centers for convenience and affordability. Although they make an effort to include the majority of the important details about each camp or program, you can receive more specific information by contacting the camps or programs you are interested in directly. Consider the following factors when choosing a camp or program for your kids.

Ithaca, New York, Summer Camp For Primitive Pursuits

A non-profit 4-H program called Primitive Pursuits is run in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. Throughout our geographic region, we offer leadership and place-based wilderness skills education to toddlers, young children, teenagers, and adults. A non-profit environmental education organization with headquarters in Ithaca, New York, Primitive Pursuits was founded in 2000 with the goal of creating in both children and adults a lifelong connection to the natural world. We achieve this through mentorship, teaching earth-living skills, discovery, and outdoor experience. We think that if we can encourage individuals to capture the world around them and to ask insightful questions, they will be more equipped to feel at home and learn about their surroundings wherever they travel.

Passion:

Every activity we lead, the narrative we tell, and the skill we impart draw inspiration from personal experiences. By doing this, we foster a learning environment that inspires campers to explore the outdoors, hone their abilities, and tell others about their experiences outside of our programs.

Gratitude:

They set an example of respect and awe for the abundance that the natural world provides for us in everything we do. Through this act of offering thanks, we start to see our immediate effects and the enormous potential we all possess to promote the well-being of both our environment and the human family.

Belonging:

They establish an environment where each person can feel comfortable interacting with mentors, peers, and the elements of nature. A potent environment for healthy human growth is created when people in a supportive group have the opportunity to experience the expansiveness and nonjudgmental simplicity of nature.

Balance:

They encourage each person to see and go beyond their apparent limitations while experiencing and developing their roles in a supportive community in order to enhance individual growth. We think that by finding a healthy balance between individual and communal thought, we are raising a generation of brave, creative, and compassionate people.

Primitive Pursuits Summer Camp Course Levels In Ithaca, NY

Becoming Unruly Ages 3-5

Camp for half a day; $240 to 340 per week

The world is nature. In our roles as friends and mentors, we assist young people in connecting to profound discovery by assisting them in securely navigating the elements and wonders of nature. Through tales and adventures, creativity and intrigue are let loose in a secure outdoor exploration area. Growing Wild fosters children’s comfort, self-assurance, and ongoing appreciation for life’s beauties.

Day Camps in Forest Village Ages 5-7

Day camp in the summer, $330-$430 each week

Welcome to the Forest Village, a place where kids may make new friends and learn to feel at home in nature. This camp nourishes younger campers trying out full-day camps for the first time and for campers who may not be as accustomed to untamed nature, with a focus on belonging and familiarity. For our youngest full-day campers, this will be a time of joy, music, and natural wonder.

Timber Explorers Ages 6-8

Day camp in the summer, $330-$430 each week

The adventure keeps going! To further explore the environment and take in the wonders and mysteries of nature, our daring group of Forest Explorers will enter the forest. Through insightful inquiry, empowering challenges, and prioritizing each child’s experience of joy in nature and self-discovery, this camp seeks to cultivate curiosity and learning.

Trailblazer Day Camps Ages 8-10

Day camp in the summer, $350–$450 a week

With camps that study several skill sets every week, you can experience the strength of friendship and wilderness skills. Pathfinder camps are created to provide a more peer-based experience where campers can advance their chosen skills and career goals. For both new and returning campers, each week brings fresh activities and imaginative challenges.

Modern Day Camps Ages 9-12

Day camp in the summer; $360-$460 Per week

Campers have the option to enhance their abilities at advanced camps. Under the direction of knowledgeable wilderness instructors, several Advanced Camps provide overnight options where kids can develop their self-assurance and independence.

Unique Day Camps Ages 11-14

Day program throughout the summer, $375-$475 per week

Older and seasoned campers are advanced in Specialty Day Camps. These camps may call for greater levels of physical stamina and concentration from participants since they feature more rigorous activities like bow building and hide tanning.

Junior Leadership Ages 13-17

Teen Leadership Program Primitive Pursuits places a strong emphasis on its teenage leadership development initiatives, starting with the 16 and 17-year-old Junior Counselor and Teen Assist programs and moving on to our Mentor in Training and Mentor in Training II programs.

Camp Procedures And Hours Ithaca, New York, Summer Camp For Primitive Pursuits

8:40–9:00 a.m.: Pathfinders, Advanced, and Specialty Camps 4-H Acres Location Drop-Off

Forest Village Camp and Forest Explorer Camp from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Growing Wild Pick-up times: 9:30–9:40 a.m.

1:30 – 1:40: Developing Wild

Forest Village Camp and Forest Explorers Camp from 2:30 to 3:30Pathfinders, Advanced, and Specialty Camps from 3:00 to 3:15 p.m.

Different Locations.

You will be informed of the drop-off and pick-up hours for camp meetings at Ellis Hollow, West Hill Area, and the Finger Lakes National Forest by the registrar.

Mountain Camps

There will be gatherings for River Scouts and Wilderness Explorers in the Ithaca region. Families will get an email with a sample week’s schedule before camp. Each day, families will drop off their campers at a different place for exciting excursions and enjoyable exploration. Please keep an eye out for any updates in the confirmation emails you get in the days leading up to a camp week since the drop-off and pick-up timings indicated below are subject to change.

9:00–9:10 a.m. Drop Off

Drop off: 3:10–3:20 p.m.

NY’s Ithaca Youth Bureau Summer Camp

The Ithaca Youth Bureau’s summer camp goal is to give young people the resources they require to create successful lives for themselves and improve the world. They think that everyone can be socially and civically active as well as physically, psychologically, and spiritually healthy. By offering a range of recreational and youth development programs that will help youth develop to their greatest potential, they assist in preparing youth to have successful lives as adults. They offer assistance to young people to find their place in the world who are struggling and dejected. They teach participants in their programs that everyone has a place in the world and that by working together, they can build a better future. A public multi-service organization founded in 1948, the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB) offers a wide range of recreational and youth development activities to support the health, happiness, and well-being of all children and families in the greater Ithaca area. They offer a variety of programs to their more than 7,500 young people, ages 0 to 20, including:

• Leagues, classes, and clinics for sports
• Combative arts
• Sports courts, an ice skating rink, and a pool
• Academic assistance
• After-school activities
• Youth employment assistance, job training, and expressive arts programs
• Vacation Camps
• Supportive recreation programs for all
• Kids’ Library and activities for young children and their parents
• Special occasions

Youth Bureau Ithaca, New York Camps, Summer Camp Activities, And Fees

Many of these programs are supported by the Recreation Partnership, a partnership between ten communities in Tompkins County that works to keep costs low for all participants. Every schedule published at the start of a season is liable to change. An overview of the seasonal activities is provided by the information on this page. The programs that are offered can change. Community Pass has more information.

Day camp at Cass Park (Ages between 5-8)

Enjoy a full or half day of awesome activities at camp! In addition to participating in theatrical and recreational activities, campers will enjoy spending their days practicing swimming. Swimming, and camp-specific activities, such as magic circle time, Wacky Wednesdays, talent performances, and more, fill the afternoons.

Costs: $460 NM for full-day sessions; $250 NM for half-day sessions (am or pm). $125 RP for half-day classes; $230 RP for full-day sessions (am or pm). For $22 each session, before and after camp care is offered from 7:30 to 9:00 in the morning and from 4:00 to 5:30 in the evening.

Camp Stewart Park Day (Ages between 8-14)

A half-day or full-day camp featuring popular SPDC activities like swimming at Cass Park, canoeing, sailing, archery, crafts, dancing, field games, theater, nature, and more! Every other day, campers take T-CAT buses to Cass Park for swimming. Every day, campers require swimsuits, proper summer activewear, and acceptable footwear. Join in the fun!

Costs: $460 NM for full-day sessions; $250 NM for half-day sessions (am or pm). $125 RP for half-day classes; $230 RP for full-day sessions (am or pm). There is provided before and after camp care: 7:30–9:00 in the morning for $22 each session and 4:00–5:30 in the afternoon.

Arts camp (varies)

This exciting art camp gives students a chance to create in clay (by hand-building and wheel-throwing) as well as in other media like weaving, painting, and sculpture! The lake and gardens serve as inspiration for outside, weather-allowed, nature-based activities. Field trips (s) to the Johnson Art Museum and/or a nearby creek are included so that students can gather clay and create in a natural setting.

$190/$133 CD in fees.

Camp Youth Theater (Ages between 7-11)

Original plays, theatre games, improvisation, music, and movement are just a few of the activities in this enjoyable morning program. Explore and enjoy a little bit of everything on this wonderful buffet of theatrical activities.

$190 for sessions and $130 for CDs.

Discover sailing (Ages 9-16 years)

A one-week course teaching sailing to students of any ability level. 24’ to 26’ keelboats and 420 class dinghies are the most common boats used. This initiative is a partnership with Cornell Sailing.

$260 per session in fees. $30 RP per session.

Summer Orchestra & Band (Grades between 4-12)

With the help of this software, teachers may encourage students to keep honing their instrumental skills both individually and in groups throughout the summer. Four (4) ensembles will make up the program: starting band, beginning orchestra, advanced band, and advanced orchestra.

$75/$53 CD in fees.

Soccer School

10 to 15 years old for both boys and girls at Cass Park. The improvement of skills, as well as playing soccer and having fun, will be prioritized. How they have headway and where they are required to put lots of effort into their own growth to exhibit advance and serve campers to recognize, several benchmark measurements of individual talents should be used. Players of all skill levels are welcome; we try to accommodate a variety of abilities. Every day there will be scrimmages or games, all of which will be enjoyable and lively. There are a number of specific abilities that need to be mastered, including passing, trapping, dribbling, both-footed kicking, penalty kicks, and more. Ian Shapiro, Jodi Maddren, and Yossi Bronsnick are the camp directors.

10 to 15 years old

$95/$67 CD in fees.

Roller Night Fever on Fridays

Recreation

At Cass Park, roller skating is a lot of fun for everyone. Family Fun Nights at Cass Park Rink begin on 22 June and run through 13 July and 27 July. They also run through August 10 and 17.

Ages 1 to 99; costs $6 per person skate fee includes skate rental. $5 for those who own their own skates.

Think of That!

Arts and Cafts

Storytelling, art and craft, music, and movement are all forms of creative play.

3 to 5 years old; cost: $100/$70 CD.

Lessons in tennis

at various skill levels at Cass Park courts.

5 to 16 years old; fees: $140 NM/$70 RP.

Tang Soo Do

The term “the art of kicking and punching” describes the centuries-old martial art known as Tae Kwon Do. This martial art is a fantastic method to get in shape or keep active. This session will be a blend of the beginning and intermediate levels. Meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for beginners and from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for intermediates. Held at the Youth Bureau of Ithaca.

8 to 18 years old

The costs are $78/$55 CD.

There Are Waitlists And A Staffing Shortfall At Ithaca Summer Camps.

Summer is approaching, even though it doesn’t feel like it, so it’s time to begin enrolling in summer camps. There are several possibilities, and the Ithaca Youth Bureau also hosts a day camp each year in addition to other events. For day camp at the beginning of April, practically all of their spots were filled within hours, which is the quickest in the current director’s memory. “Day camps are primarily the ones that have really filled up, and I believe that’s because parents are looking for active summer activities for their children to participate in while they’re at work, “For the first time in 70 years, according to Liz Klohmann, director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, two years ago they were unable to offer any summer programming. Due to pandemic fears the previous year, there were fewer campers allowed. “They understand the importance of the programming, but I believe the community, families, and children really understood how much summer camp means to them after not having it for a year and being alone, “However, because of a staffing shortage, they are currently only offering 50% of their potential capacity in terms of openings, according to Lohmann. Employers around the nation are feeling the effects of this scarcity, but they’re trying to fill a range of roles as quickly as they can at both the Cass Park and Stewart Park locations, including lifeguards, swim instructors, and counselors. They can provide more spots for kids to enroll this summer if they hire more personnel. For children ages 5 to 14, they provide extra half-day programs like tennis, sailing, and art camps. There is now waiting for campers in the day program, but Liz advises parents not to give up and sign up for the list nevertheless.

Kids’ Garden Ithaca, New York

Invites everyone in their community, regardless of ability, to take part in the events and activities run by Ithaca Children’s Garden. All visitors, participants, donors, and volunteers at the Ithaca Children’s Garden are urged to support a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

What they try to accomplish:

• Realize that every person is different and has their own interests and abilities.
• Prioritize people, concentrate on what they can accomplish, and determine how they want to contribute.
• Ask each participant—and their parents, if they are a child—what accommodations might make it easier for them to participate.
• When practicable and reasonable, modify our programs and spaces to fairly accommodate participation.
• Inform people about Ithaca Children’s Garden using the proper channels and formats so that everyone can read and/or comprehend it.
• Establish a setting that encourages fair and inclusive attitudes and practices and reflects them.
• Make people feel as if they belong in a community where their many identities, experiences, skills, and interests are accepted and cherished and where they have the chance to express themselves, grow, and be acknowledged for their contributions and accomplishments.
• Develop and test procedures to guarantee that no bullying, harassment, or discrimination occurs when people play or participate in Ithaca Children’s Garden events.

What they request of you is the following:

• Tell us how they might make it easier for us to involve you in our events, programs, or casual visits.
• If the form is difficult for you to use, please contact us by phone, email, or text instead, providing the best way to reach you in the message.
• The staff of the Ithaca Children’s Garden will follow up with any queries.
• Every request will be examined and evaluated.
• Please be aware that they will make appropriate accommodations and/or modifications to ensure your participation and a great experience.
• Speak with us if you have any questions or suggestions for how to make Ithaca Children’s Garden more inclusive or accessible.
• Consider us your ally in fostering an inclusive society both within and outside of Ithaca Children’s Garden.

Ithaca, New York, Children’s Garden Summer Camp

Age 6 to 10 full-day camp

Forts, Dens, and Hideouts from 27 June to 1 July

5-8 July: Garden Magic (4 July, camp closed for holiday)

11–15 July: Eco-Explorers

18–22 July: Art-venture is Available!

Forts, Dens, and Hideouts, July 25–29

1–5 August: Garden Magic

8–12 August: Eco-Explorers

15–19 August: Art-venture is Available!

Aug. 22–26: Favorite Summer Songs

Full description of Willows camp

Cost: $310 per week

Rates of scholarships:

50% of those eligible for free lunch is $155; 30% of those eligible for reduced lunch is $217.

Please describe your situation in the scholarship part of the registration form if you are not qualified for free or reduced lunch and/or the scholarship prices do not allow your kid to attend camp. We will get in touch if necessary.

2022 Acorns

Ages 3-5: Half-day camp

Week 1: 27 June–1 July Week 2: July 5-8 (4 July, camp closed for holiday)

Weeks 3 and 4 are in July (July 11–15);

August 1–5: Week 6 August 8–12: Week 7 August 15–19: Week 8 August 22–26: Week 9

Price for Full Acorns camp: $190/week

Rates for scholarships: Eligible for Free Lunch (50%) = $95

Eligible for Reduced Lunch (30%) = $133

Please describe your situation in the scholarship part of the registration form if you are not qualified for free or reduced lunch and/or the scholarship prices do not allow your kid to attend camp. They will get in touch if necessary.

2022 Ages 10–12 Full-day Camp at Maples

Locally Made & Locally Grown from 27 June to 1 July

Locally Made & Locally Grown, July 5-8 (July 4th, camp closed for holiday)

Locally Made & Locally Grown from 11 July to 15

18–22 July: Using the Land

25-29 July: Using the Land

Full Price for Maples Camp: $350 per week

Scholarship rates: Eligible for Free lunch (at 50%) = $175

Eligible for Reduced Lunch (30%) = $245

Please describe your situation in the scholarship part of the registration form if you are not qualified for free or reduced lunch and/or the scholarship prices do not allow your kid to attend camp. We will get in touch if necessary.

F.A.Q.

How can I sign up for camp?

You must set up an account with a password. You could use the same account and password from last year this year if you created one. The link won’t show up on the website until public registration begins.

How do I pay for this?

Through the registration form, you can pay online with a VISA, Mastercard, or eCheck.

Do you provide payment schedules?

Through the registration page, you can set up a credit card payment schedule.

Are there any specials?

Yes.
$20 off your shopping cart for members
Sibling: $10 off the shopping basket for each additional sibling.

Does my child have to be trained to use the restroom to attend a half-day camp?

Yes. They are aware that many 3- and 4-year-olds are still honing their abilities, and we will assist them in handling any mishaps with respect and love. Children who are not yet ready for half-day camp are those who still use diapers, pull-ups, or training pants throughout the day.

What should my child pack for camp?

A healthy camper who has applied sunscreen, appropriate clothing, footwear that can get wet (such as water shoes or crocs), a dry change of clothes in a labeled gallon-size ziplock bag, including socks, and one morning snack are all required. ICG will offer a snack in the afternoon.
A filling water bottle with their name on it, sunscreen with their name on it, a towel, and the signed All Community Agreement (on Mondays)

Due to unique needs, my child’s experience at the camp may be impacted. How do I tell you about them?

Please be as detailed as you can on your registration form. Long before your camp experience, their education director will get in touch with you with any inquiries or requests for more details.

When it rains, what do you do?

Sprinkles and mild rain don’t stop them from playing. Activities will be moved indoors or to the nearby Kiwanis Pavilion during periods of heavy rain. If the prediction suggests taking such precautions, emergency shelter is provided at the About Be Cause Center, which is just 7 minute walk from the Garden.