(CortacaToday) — The Ithaca Youth Bureau is known to many locals as an organization for the community, but not everyone knows the extensive number of services they offer or programs they operate.

Created in 1948, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has a stated goal of providing for local youth and families. On their website, they claim to “serve more than 7,500 youth annually, aged 0-20 years”. With many different programs, they offer a plethora of opportunities for community engagement and support.

Cass Park:

Cass Park may be best known as the local ice-skating rink, or possibly as a popular public pool, but the park is actually a combination of the main complex and several additional areas nearby. Originally opened in 1972, the park is now home to four tennis courts, a playground, an exercise trail, thirty-two assorted athletic fields, and more. The Ice Rink is available for public use during the summer and is converted to use for roller skating during the rest of the year, as well as serving local hockey leagues. Cass Park serves as a great community space for people to go and enjoy the outdoors.

Sports Leagues:

Speaking of sports, the IYB hosts many different sports programs, including youth leagues. The sports that are offered depend on the season, with many leagues such as the Rotary Soccer leagues continuing to be popular with the community year after year. Beyond the sports leagues, families can also make use of a selection of sports lessons, currently including tennis and Tae Kwon Do among others.

Artistic Programs:

Beyond sports and other athletic offerings, the IYB provides a selection of art classes. With the options varying depending on the time of year, they are currently hosting a drawing class as well as various pottery classes. Some of the pottery classes are designed for a parent and child to join cooperatively, which can make for a fun family activity.

Bike Rentals:

For people looking to explore the area and get some exercise, the Ithaca Youth Bureau also operates a bicycle rental program, allowing for people to explore the beautiful nature of Cayuga Lake. Open spring through fall, reservation information can be found on the Ithaca Bike Rental website. They also provide guided tours.

Summer Camps:

Finally, IYB offers multiple camp programs for various ages. Currently, the IYB website lists options that include the Cass Park Day Camp (Ages 5-8), Stewart Park Day Camp (Ages 8-13), and Youtheatre Camp (Ages 7-11) to name a few. These camps can appeal to kids with a variety of different interests, and some have a full or half day option.

These are just a few of the many programs operated by the Ithaca Youth Bureau. For more information, check the IYB website. A list of current programs to sign up for can be found here. The Ithaca Youth Bureau building can be found at 1 James L. Gibbs Dr. in Ithaca.