The Ithaca Youth Bureau strives to provide youth with the tools they need to build a successful life for themselves and change the world for the better. We believe that all citizens can be physically, mentally and spiritually healthy, and socially and civically engaged. We help prepare youth to live successful lives as adults by providing a variety of recreation and youth development opportunities that will help youth develop to their full potential. We lend support to discouraged youth who are struggling to find their place in the world. We help our program participants understand that all people have a place in this world and together we can create a better tomorrow.
The Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), a public multi-service agency established 1948, provides a broad variety of recreation and youth development programs to promote the health, happiness, and well-being of all youth and families in the greater Ithaca area. We serve more than 7,500 youth annually, aged 0-20 years, through a wide array of programs. In addition to recreation and after school initiatives that serve the general youth population, our youth development programs do strategic outreach to economically disadvantaged and under-served youth.
Read on to learn more about each of our programs.
The Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), a public multi-service agency established 1948, provides a broad variety of recreation and youth development programs to promote the health, happiness, and well-being of all youth and families in the greater Ithaca area. We serve more than 7,500 youth annually, aged 0-20 years, through a wide array of programs. In addition to recreation and after school initiatives that serve the general youth population, our youth development programs do strategic outreach to economically disadvantaged and under-served youth.
Read on to learn more about each of our programs.
Recreation (Rec)
When people play together...it's powerful!
Sports, lessons, camps, special events and more are offered year round for youth and families. Try something new or pick one of your favorites- you'll have fun, learn new skills and make friends. The Recreation Partnership a collaboration of 10 municipalities in Tompkins County supports many of these programs and helps keep fees affordable for all! Offerings include:
Sports, lessons, camps, special events and more are offered year round for youth and families. Try something new or pick one of your favorites- you'll have fun, learn new skills and make friends. The Recreation Partnership a collaboration of 10 municipalities in Tompkins County supports many of these programs and helps keep fees affordable for all! Offerings include:
Sports
Senior Tackle Football NFL Flag Football Rotary Soccer Basketball Girls & Boys Lacrosse Kiwanis Baseball Dessie Jacobs Softball Expressive Arts Youth Theatre Imagine That Pottery and more Summer Camps Stewart Park Day Camp Cass Park Day Camp Sailing Camp Expressive Arts Camps |
Lessons
Swim & Skate Tennis & Golf Fencing Tae Kwon Do Music Community Programs & Events High Adventure Climbing Tot Spot Junior Olympics Fishing Funshop Ithaca Festival Mile Ithaca Bike Rental |
Youth Development (YD)
Discover your potential. Pursue your dreams!
Youth Development programs provide fun, safe and supportive environments for youth to develop skills, explore interests, gain confidence, & give back to their community. These programs enable youth to broaden their horizons.
Youth Development programs provide fun, safe and supportive environments for youth to develop skills, explore interests, gain confidence, & give back to their community. These programs enable youth to broaden their horizons.
Youth Employment Service- a program that meets teens where they are and connects them to opportunities to work, grow, and lead in their community.
College Discovery Program - long-term mentoring & academic support program designed to reduce achievement gaps in the Ithaca City School District & increase participants' access to college. Big Brother Big Sister of Tompkins County - a mentoring program matching adults with youth in order to build friendships & develop potential. Outings - an outdoor adventure program that encourages teamwork, builds self-confidence, and fosters personal growth. Paul Schreurs Memorial Program - a long-term mentoring program that provides support to help underrepresented youth become successful, confident, life-long learners. Ithaca Youth Council Ambassadors (YCA) - teens from Ithaca and Tompkins County who focus on civic engagement, community outreach, and peer leadership. |
Recreation Support Services (RSS)
It's all about community! Make friends and get involved!
We provide programs that create safe, skill-based recreational opportunities which offer participants the chance to make lasting friendships & develop independence. RSS strives to help individuals of all ages, primarily those with disabilities, achieve their goals for happiness and well-being. Programs are offered for both youth and adults.
We provide programs that create safe, skill-based recreational opportunities which offer participants the chance to make lasting friendships & develop independence. RSS strives to help individuals of all ages, primarily those with disabilities, achieve their goals for happiness and well-being. Programs are offered for both youth and adults.
Programs for youth (ages 3-21):
Weekend play groups Swim programs Summer Camp Inclusion Exercise programs Recreation program inclusion Iroquois Summer Program Programs for youth with Autism Training on inclusion |
Programs for adults (ages 21 & up):
Hiking & Bowling, Chorus Movie Club Board games College Sporting Events Bowling Dinner Club Dances & Yoga |
Cass Park, Rink & Pool
Cass Park, Rink and Pool are programs of the Ithaca Youth Bureau which provide valuable health and recreation activities for residents of Ithaca and Tompkins County year-round.
Cass Park Rink is a standard size, covered ice rink that has been serving the greater Ithaca community since November 1972. Cass Rink offers public ice skating (October through March), skate rentals and sharpening, group rentals for broom-ball, hockey, and skating, as well as lessons and birthday party packages.
In the off-season (June through October), Cass Rink hosts roller skating.
Cass Park Rink is a standard size, covered ice rink that has been serving the greater Ithaca community since November 1972. Cass Rink offers public ice skating (October through March), skate rentals and sharpening, group rentals for broom-ball, hockey, and skating, as well as lessons and birthday party packages.
In the off-season (June through October), Cass Rink hosts roller skating.
Rink
Public Ice Skating (Oct - Mar) Season Passes Skate Rentals and Sharpening Group Rentals for Broom-ball, Hockey and Skating Skating Lessons Birthday Party Packages Roller Skating (Jun - Oct) Park 32 Playing Fields 2 Playgrounds Waterfront and Fitness Trails Tennis Courts |
Pool
Olympic sized Pool with Water Slide and Diving Board Public Swimming ( Jun - Aug) Season Passes Swim Lessons Lap Swimming Kiddie Pool Birthday Party Packages |
Rentals
Ithaca Bike Rental
Recumbent bikes, adult trikes, youth and adult bikes available for rent May - October. Boat Rack Rentals Boat Storage Rack spaces available at Stewart Park and Cass Park. Rent for the season (April 1 - November 1). CURRENTLY FULL FOR THE 2023 SEASON. Pavilion Rentals One pavilion at Cass Park & two pavilions at Stewart Park available for rent April 15 - October 15. |
Community Connections
IYB staff have been building and strengthening partnerships across the community to provide participants and families with the supports and opportunities they need to thrive! Join us!
If you have an idea for a program, activity, or event that you think youth would enjoy or you have ideas of how we might partner to meet a community need, please contact us. |
Volunteers
Volunteers are a vital and powerful part of IYB programs. There are opportunities to mentor, lead, coach, and more.... so whether you like sports, tutoring, arts, outdoor adventure, teaching, marketing, biking, or planning events we have opportunities for you to make a difference with youth who have a wide variety of interests and abilities
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