Outings, a division of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, is an outdoor adventure program that encourages teamwork, builds self-confidence, and fosters personal growth. The program takes place after school and during the summer months, with camping trips as an integral part of the program. Outings is committed to providing outdoor adventure programming that fosters a team mentality. We focus on fostering personal growth for all our participants in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Our participants have opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills, as well as social skills. This is accomplished through a variety of outdoor activities, trips, and group challenges. We utilize creative and empowering activities to help participants stretch themselves to develop and build skills necessary for success in life.
We believe that everyone learns best when they can actively participate in directing their own learning process. Participants set out on an adventure and engage in activities that are challenging, rewarding, fun, and safe but with a perceived risk. They are asked to stretch beyond their preconceived limitations in order to succeed individually and as a team.
Our program attempts to engage the whole person in order to cultivate the qualities and skills that help individuals achieve their greatest potential while working together to be an effective team. The Outings program creates an atmosphere that challenges and excites the imagination, as well as builds positive relationships and empowers youth.
Through a variety of activities, the Outings Program has the following goals for program participants:
We believe that everyone learns best when they can actively participate in directing their own learning process. Participants set out on an adventure and engage in activities that are challenging, rewarding, fun, and safe but with a perceived risk. They are asked to stretch beyond their preconceived limitations in order to succeed individually and as a team.
Our program attempts to engage the whole person in order to cultivate the qualities and skills that help individuals achieve their greatest potential while working together to be an effective team. The Outings program creates an atmosphere that challenges and excites the imagination, as well as builds positive relationships and empowers youth.
Through a variety of activities, the Outings Program has the following goals for program participants:
- To encourage interdependence and cooperation
- To give participants the opportunity to develop and demonstrate social, emotional, and communication skills
- To provide a challenging, educational, non-competitive environment that maximizes personal growth
- To provide an experience that enhances emotional and personal growth, builds self-esteem, and develops friendships
- To provide students an opportunity to go beyond any self-imposed limitations they may have
- To teach environmental respect and awareness
Program Components
The Explorers Program is a long term program that begins in 6th grade. This program helps participants build self-confidence and teaches social skills to small groups of youth. Activities include hiking, high and low-ropes activities, team building, climbing, canoeing, trips, and more.
The Pathfinders Program is designed to bring diverse groups of 4th and 5th graders together from the Ithaca City School District to enhance personal and emotional growth, build self-esteem, and enrich friendships. Students participate in team-building and leadership activities, games, discussions, and have outdoor walking and biking experiences.
Outdoor Adventure Programs are offered to all ages, like other Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreation Programs. Activities include but are not limited to: tree climbing, indoor rock climbing, high adventure, canoeing, and more.
Ithaca Bike Rental is our seasonal bike rental business. We rent bikes to the general public to promote being active in the outdoors. We can accommodate groups large and small. Our fleet contains recumbent bikes, trikes, a tandem bike, and child seats as well as both youth and adult sized bikes to make biking more accessible. Each rental includes a bike helmet. Learn more.
The Pathfinders Program is designed to bring diverse groups of 4th and 5th graders together from the Ithaca City School District to enhance personal and emotional growth, build self-esteem, and enrich friendships. Students participate in team-building and leadership activities, games, discussions, and have outdoor walking and biking experiences.
Outdoor Adventure Programs are offered to all ages, like other Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreation Programs. Activities include but are not limited to: tree climbing, indoor rock climbing, high adventure, canoeing, and more.
Ithaca Bike Rental is our seasonal bike rental business. We rent bikes to the general public to promote being active in the outdoors. We can accommodate groups large and small. Our fleet contains recumbent bikes, trikes, a tandem bike, and child seats as well as both youth and adult sized bikes to make biking more accessible. Each rental includes a bike helmet. Learn more.
Outings Activities
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Nature and outdoor survival skill building
Environmental education Orienteering Leadership building Group games |
Outdoor cooking
Problem-solving activities Rock climbing Shelter building Knot Tying |
Team building
Tree climbing Winter camping Biking Backpacking |
Camping
Canoeing Caving Fire building |
